COLUMBIA, Mo. – Mizzou Women’s Basketball finished exhibition play in resounding fashion, using stifling defense and a balanced offensive attack to beat McKendree, 80-30, on Monday night at Mizzou Arena. The Tigers held the Bearcats to just 25 percent shooting, while shooting 45 percent from the field themselves to build the 50-point lead. Eleven different players scored for head coach Robin Pingeton, marking the second straight game in which at least 11 different members of the Black and Gold found the scoring column. Junior guard Sophie Cunningham (Columbia, Mo.) led the way, dropping 13 points on 5-of-7 shooting. Redshirt senior forward Kayla Michael (Cincinnati, Ohio) joined Cunningham in double figures, scoring 10 points, while also pulling down six rebounds.
Turning Point
The Tigers’ first quarter defense set the tone, as they were able to jump out to a 31-7 lead courtesy of a 22-2 run to close the frame. Mizzou came out in a full court trap, making life difficult on the Bearcats from the opening tip. The Tigers forced six turnovers in the early going, using pressure and quick hands to force McKendree into early mistakes. The turnovers led to easy offense for the Black and Gold, as the Tigers generated 10 points off of those errors. Mizzou’s stout defense held McKendree to just 25 percent shooting in the opening quarter.
Top Tigers
– Junior Sophie Cunningham (Columbia, Mo.) led the Tigers in scoring and in rebounding, putting in 13 points and nabbing seven rebounds in just 15 minutes played.
– Redshirt senior Kayla Michael (Cincinnati, Ohio) showed off her versatility, registering 10 points on 50 percent shooting, pulling down six rebounds and dishing out three assists.
– Redshirt sophomore Hannah Schuchts (Tallahassee, Florida) patrolled the paint all game long, registering four blocked shots during the game, which matched her career high. She last had four blocked shots against Indiana State (11/22/16).
Notes
– Mizzou scored 31 points in the first period of play, the most points in a quarter by any Tiger team in exhibition play during the Robin Pingeton era.
– Mizzou scored 48 points in the first half, just edging their performance last time out against Southwest Baptist, when the Tigers dropped 47 points.
– Frericks had two blocked shots in the game, her most since Mizzou played Texas in the NCAA Tournament in 2016. She added nine points and seven rebounds.
Up Next
The Tigers tip off the regular season Friday, playing Western Kentucky in their first game of the Hawkeye Challenge. The game starts at 2:30 p.m. CT in Iowa City, Iowa.
— MWSU Athletics —