COLUMBIA, Mo. – Mizzou Women’s Basketball closed nonconference action with a 70-50 victory over Arkansas State on Sunday at Mizzou Arena. The Tigers were paced by senior guard Sophie Cunningham (Columbia, Mo.), who reached 20 points for the fifth time this season and the 38th time in her career with 20 points while sinking a career-high 16-of-18 shots from the free throw line.
After stepping away from the game over the summer, senior forward Cierra Porter (Columbia, Mo.) returned to the court for the first time this season and contributed four points, two rebounds and two steals in 11 minutes off the bench. Porter’s four points gave her 1,000 on her career as she became the 36th member of Mizzou’s 1,000-point club.
TURNING POINT
Mizzou outscored the Red Wolves, 18-8, in the third quarter to extend its lead from three points and halftime to 13 points heading into the final quarter. The Tigers ended the third period on an 11-2 run, led by two three-pointers in the run from redshirt senior guard Lauren Aldridge (Marshfield, Mo.).
TOP TIGERS
- Cunningham scored 20 points to lead Mizzou in scoring for the 10th time this season and the fourth time in Mizzou’s last five contests. Cunningham set career highs in free throws made and attempted, as she was 16-for-18 from the charity stripe. Cunningham also grabbed six rebounds and dished out five assists in the game.
- Junior guard Amber Smith (Shreveport, La.) scored nine points, grabbed 10 rebounds and set a career-high in blocks with five. Smith’s 10 rebounds marked the seventh time she has reached 10 boards.
- Making her third consecutive start, junior guard Jordan Roundtree (St. Louis, Mo.) had nine points and six rebounds.
NOTES
- Cunningham’s 16 made free throws are the most made by a Tiger since Kerensa Barr made 17 vs. Colorado on Jan. 24, 1987.
- As a team, Mizzou shot a season-high 88.5 percent from the free throw as the Tigers made 23-for-26 from the charity stripe.
- With four points, Porter became the 36th member of Mizzou’s 1,000-point club and the first since Cunningham reached the plateau last season.
UP NEXT
Mizzou will now transition to the conference play as the Tigers host Ole Miss on Thursday, Jan. 3 at Mizzou Arena. Tipoff is scheduled for 7 p.m.
— Mizzou Athletics —