COLUMBIA, Mo. (AP) – Playing in front of 6,154 fans at Mizzou Arena, Mizzou Women’s Basketball (13-0) extended its best start in program history and matched the longest win streak in program history on Tuesday evening with an 88-71 win over Charlotte (7-4). Four Tigers scored in double figures, led by junior forward Jordan Frericks (Quincy, Ill.), who posted her 20th double-double of her career with 16 points and 15 rebounds.
“I’m appreciative of all the fans that showed up tonight. It was an incredible atmosphere,” head coach Robin Pingeton said. “I’m really happy for our players to finish the nonconference schedule 13-0. It’s really exciting for us. I can assure you that we’re nowhere near satisfied with the big picture this season.”
Joining Frericks in double digits was junior guard Sierra Michaelis (Mercer, Mo.) with 14 points, freshman forward Cierra Porter (Columbia, Mo.) with 13 points, and senior guard Juanita Robinson (Chicago, Ill.) with 12. Porter was one rebound away from a double-double, finishing with nine boards. Redshirt junior guard Lindsey Cunningham (Columbia, Mo.) led the team in assists with five.
The Tigers dominated play inside the paint, outscoring Charlotte 38-24 inside the paint and outrebounding the 49ers, 42-31. Mizzou shot better than 50 percent from the field for the fifth time this season, converting 33-of-65 field goals (50.8 percent)
After an evenly matched first quarter, the Tigers trailed the 49ers 16-15. Charlotte scored the first basket of the second quarter, but Mizzou responded with a 20-4 run to gain the lead for the remainder of the game. By the end of the run, Mizzou had a 13-point lead, 35-22, with 3:06 to play in the first half. Lindsey Cunningham and Michaelis each had five points in the run. The Tigers shot 51.6 percent from the floor (16-of-31) in the half, outscored Charlotte 29-14 in the second quarter, and led 48-30 at the break.
Frericks scored 10 of her points and snagged 10 rebounds in the second half as the Tigers maintained its double-digit lead for the entire second half. Mizzou led by as much as 21 in the game, occurring twice in the second half. The first occurrence came after a three-pointer from Robinson with 5:36 remaining in the third quarter, and the second 31 seconds later after a successful jumper from Michaelis.
Mizzou will begin SEC play in its next contest, Monday, Jan. 4 against Tennessee. Tipoff from Mizzou Arena is scheduled for 6:00 p.m.
— Mizzou Athletics —