Mizzou Women Fight for Comeback Win Over Vanderbilt
Senior guard Mama Dembele raced down the court. After intercepting a Vanderbilt pass, she had a wide open court in front of her, allowing her to make an easy layup. For the first time since early in the second period, Missouri Tigers women's team had the lead over the Commodores.
The entire Missouri team took on Dembele's demeanor en route to a gritty 65-63 win over Vanderbilt on Sunday. The comeback win was Missouri's first win in conference play this season after three straight losses.
Dembele's character is at the heart of this Missouri team. She's ferocious. She's composed, rarely frantic. She's only 5'6" but she makes up for her lack of size with her intelligence and aggressiveness.
"Mama did a great job, just giving us everything she had," Missouri head coach Robin Pingeton said. "I think early, she seemed a little hesitant but really, really good minutes from her defensively especially."
In the Tigers' most recent loss (South Carolina on Thursday), Dembele was absent due to a right knee injury that she suffered against Alabama. The injury clearly wasn't bothering her as she repeatedly hustled on defense and controlled Missouri's transition offense. She only scored 6 on Sunday but her presence was much bigger as she found nine assists and six steals. Just like the rest of the Tigers, she's pesky.
Missouri trailed by as much as 12 points multiple times in the third period. In past games, Missouri has been prone to folding when a team takes a lead in the third quarter. This time, the Tigers clawed back.
"It was hard not to get deflated," Pingeton said. "But I just love the leadership and composure of our upperclassmen that I think kind of just carries over into the rest of the team. We've got some pretty special freshmen that got some ice in their veins as well."
The comeback required Missouri fully embracing the physical playing style they've shown all year. Fighting for rebounds and points in the paint. It led them to leading by two in the final 10 seconds.
Trailing by two, Vanderbilt had a final chance to tie or win the game. The effort was disrupted by Dembele stretching her hand out and tipping the ball, causing Vanderbilt to lose possession.
The comeback effort for Missouri included clutch three-point shots from Ashton Judd, Grace Slaughter, Abby Feit and Hayley Frank in the final eight minutes. The trio of Judd, Frank and Slaughter each scored double digit points in the win. Judd, Frank and Feit combined for a total of 19 rebounds.
The hard-fought win for Missouri was much needed for the team, now 10-7 on the season.
"I think we've got a really confident team, confident locker room," Pingeton said. "After today, it's zero-to-zero and we got to go back to the drawing board and win Tuesday's practice."
The Tigers will look to build off of Sunday's win when they host Georgia on Thursday at 7 p.m.
