BOULDER, Colo. – Mizzou Women’s Basketball (10-0) became the first team in program history to start a season 10-0 with a hard-fought 79-75 victory over Colorado (4-5) on Saturday afternoon at the Coors Events Center. Sierra Michaelis and Cierra Porter (Columbia, Mo.) both scored a season-high 21 points as the Tigers shot 46 percent (26-for-57) from the field, 53 percent (8-for-15) from 3-point range and 76 percent (19-for-25) from the foul line for the game.

“This was a big win for us on the road, and I’m really proud of our team,” head coach Robin Pingeton said. “Colorado has a really nice team and they played a great game.

“We’ve got bigger goals and a bigger picture in mind. We’ve got to continue to get better and continue to work hard, although we are very pleased with where we are at.”

The Tigers opened the game shooting the ball well and held a 5-point lead at 23-18 at the end of the first quarter. Colorado then caught fire and outscored Mizzou 29-17 in the second quarter to take a 47-40 lead at half. The Buffs were 7-for-9 (78 percent) from beyond the 3-point arc in the first half.

Mizzou answered in the third quarter, outscoring CU 22-16 to trail 63-62 heading into the final 10 minutes. Kayla McDowell (Cincinnati, Ohio) gave Mizzou the lead 15 seconds into the final period before the Buffs battled back. With 7:38 remaining, Michaelis drained a jumper to tie the score at 67-67 and then Lindsey Cunningham (Columbia, Mo.) drained a 3-pointer with 5:00 left to put the Tigers ahead 70-67, a lead that would not be relinquished for the remainder of the game.

CU pulled within one at 72-71 with 3:30 left on a layup by Zoe Beard-Fails but Porter answered with a jumper a minute later. McDowell and Lindsey Cunningham both added two free throws to seal the victory. Mizzou outscored CU 17-12 during the final quarter.

Jordan Frericks (Quincy, Ill.) finished with nine points and seven rebounds while Sophie Cunningham (Columbia, Mo.) added seven points, eight boards and three assists. The Tigers forced 15 turnovers and held a 21-11 scoring advantage in points off turnovers.

Jamee Swan led CU with 17 points, eight rebounds and two blocks. Kennedy Leonard added 14 points and five assists.

The Tigers will take a break from game action this week as the student-athletes complete the academic semester with final exams. Mizzou returns to action with home games on back-to-back days vs. Lamar at 2 p.m. CT on Sunday, Dec. 20 and vs. Texas State on Monday, Dec. 21 at 7 p.m. CT.

— Mizzou Athletics —