COLUMBIA, Mo. – Mizzou freshman guard Amber Smith (Shreveport, La.) was named Southeastern Conference Freshman of the Week, announced Tuesday by the league office. It is Smith’s first career SEC weekly honor and Mizzou’s third this season along with Co-Player of the Week recognitions for sophomore Sophie Cunningham and senior Sierra Michaelis.

Smith was a catalyst for Mizzou off the bench as she sparked the Tigers to a pair of home wins over Auburn and No. 25 Kentucky. The freshman averaged 14.0 points and 5.0 rebounds and shot a blistering 70.6 percent from the field in 28.5 minutes per contest. She scored in double digits in back-to-back games for the first time in her career.

Smith chipped in 13 points on 6-of-7 shooting against Auburn. The 85.7 percent shooting night from the floor was her highest single-game field goal percentage when taking more than four attempts in her career.

Last night, Smith posted 15 points on 6-of-10 shooting to lead Mizzou past No. 25 Kentucky. She added a career-high eight rebounds in a career-high 31 minutes off the bench in the win.

Smith has scored in double figures in three of the last five games and four times in her career. Mizzou is 4-0 in those contests.

With Smith as a major contributor, Mizzou has now won five consecutive games, its longest streak in conference play since joining the SEC. The Tigers have also won four straight games over Top 25 opponents at Mizzou Arena.

Next on the slate for the Tigers is a matchup on the road with No. 5 Mississippi State on Sunday. Tip is set for 1:30 p.m.

— Mizzou Athletics —