Missouri Women’s Basketball Defeats Georgia For Second Conference Win
COLUMBIA, Mo. — Missouri Tigers women’s basketball secured their second SEC win of the season on Thursday night in a 69-57 victory over the Georgia Bulldogs. The Tigers never trailed at any point.
Thursday’s performance was one of Missouri’s most complete of the season on both sides of the court. Offensively, Missouri stayed patient, waiting for holes to open up in South Carolina’s zone defense. Early on, the Tigers were able to find plenty of space down low, with 14 of their first half points coming in the paint. Fighting for tough points all night was freshman forward Hannah Linthacum, who started off Missouri's scoring with a layup. She continued to control the game with three consecutive defensive rebounds.
"We felt like they were going to be really aggressive but we really wanted to set the tone with our physicality on the defensive end," Missouri head coach Robin Pingeton said.
The Missouri defense, conversely, put up a solid front that Georgia was rarely able to crack. The Bulldogs were never truly able to recover from a slow start as they shot 4-for-15 in the first quarter. The Tigers defense also dominated the boards early on, out rebounding Georgia 22-11 in the first half.
After Missouri built a 37-26 in the first half, the Tigers were able to go on cruise control for most of the second half as their offensive success continued. Missouri's offense expanded outside the arc as well, using five three-point shots in the second half to expand the lead.
Freshman guard Grace Slaughter led the three-point scoring efforts as she went 3-for-3 outside the arc. Overall, Slaughter put up 17 points, her highest total since she scored the same in a loss to Virginia on November 30. Slaughter also showed her growth in her physicality as she fought for four rebounds.
"Getting farther into SEC play, I think getting to see it more and more often and play against it has definitely allowed me to be a little bit more comfortable," Slaughter said of the physical wrinkle to her game.
Slaughter has been one of four freshman that have seen extensive playing time for Missouri. Linthacum has been in the starting lineup since early December and guard Abbey Schreacke along with forward Hilke Feldrappe have played rotational roles. The meaningful playing time, Pingeton believes, has already led to growth for the young group.
"There's no substitute for experience," Pingeton said. "They're in the fires, they're learning, they're growing and then they show up tomorrow and they want to watch more film and learn more and grow more."
The growth was evident in Missouri's controlling performance, which pushes them to 11-7 on the season. After starting out winless through the first three games of conference play, the Tigers have now won two straight. The Tigers will look to continue the success this Sunday at 1 p.m. when they travel to Lexington to take on the Kentucky Wildcats.
Live Updates:
Missouri Starting Five:
Grace Slaughter
Mama Dembele
Ashton Judd
Hannah Linthacum
Hayley Frank
Georgia Starting Five:
De'Mauri Flournoy
Asia Avinger
Taniyah Thompson
Jordan Cole
Javyn Nicholson
1st Quarter:
Missouri wins the tip
Great passing on Missouri's first possession, H. Linthacum closes it out with a layup
Under five timeout: Missouri leading 10-6 with 4:48.
Missouri is controlling the game offensively through the paint, being patient for lanes to open up
An Ashton Judd three-pointer just got this arena on its feet. Missouri clicking on all cylinders
Georgia calls a timeout: Missouri leading 16-8 with 2:16
These past two games for Missouri have been so much cleaner than what they put on the court early on this season.
End of the period: Missouri leads 18-12
2nd Quarter:
Really solid shooting performance from Missouri so far, shooting 72.2% from the field
Missouri's passing was pretty smooth early on but they now have nine turnovers
Georgia, uncharacteristically, is struggling on the boards. Missouri currently out rebounding 19-10
End of period: Missouri - 37, Georgia - 26
3rd Quarter:
Under five timeout: Missouri - 49 Georgia - 37
Missouri finding the three's when they need them. Frank just landed her first to extend Missouri's lead to 56-41.
End of period: Missouri - 59, Georgia - 49
Hayley Frank has been her reliable-self tonight, leading with 22 points.
4th quarter:
Depth showing off for Missouri in this game — eight different players have scored.
Missouri now has its largest lead of the night: 64- 43, 6:17 remaining.
Hayley Frank has fouled out.
FINAL: Missouri - 69, Georgia - 57
