SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – University of Missouri Women’s Basketball defeated Missouri State, 68-51, on Monday night at Great Southern Bank Arena in the first game of the 2022-23 season.
Led by a 17-point performance by senior forward Hayley Frank, Mizzou was able to gain control of the contest late in the first quarter and led 31-17 at the break.
Junior guard Sara-Rose Smith aided the winning effort with 10 points and 10 rebounds. The stat line marks the first career double-double for the Victoria, Australia native.
The Tigers’ defense stifled the Lady Bears in the first half as the home team shot just 19.4% (6-31) from the floor through the opening 20 minutes.
Missouri displayed an aggressive offensive approach that resulted in 22 layup opportunities and outscored the Lady Bears 44-24 around the basket.
TURNING POINT
Trailing 9-4 in the early minutes, graduate guard Katlyn Gilbert converted a layup and sparked a 17-0 run that spanned the quarter break. Frank capped off the scoring streak with a 3-pointer from the left wing. The Tigers would not trail for the remainder of the contest.
TOP TIGERS
- Sara-Rose’s scoring output also matched her career-high. The junior last entered double figures against SIUE on Dec. 2, 2021.
- Frank added four rebounds and three assists to go along with her scoring total. The performance marks the 72nd time the senior has notched 10+ points in her Tigers’ career.
- Lauren Hansen poured in seven points in the third quarter and finished the evening with nine points and three boards.
- Gilbert added nine points in her Missouri debut. It is the most for the Tiger newcomer since scoring 14 as a member of Notre Dame on Nov. 5, 2020.
NOTES
- Missouri improves to 40-9 in season openers all time and 12-1 in the Robin Pingeton era.
- The Tigers are now 23-10 in matchups against the Lady Bears.
- Missouri’s 44 points in the paint are the most for the Tigers since they scored 48 in last season’s Braggin’ Rights victory over Illinois on Dec. 22, 2021.
- Freshman Ashton Judd totaled five rebounds and two points in her collegiate debut.
- Freshmen Sarah Linthacum and Averi Kroenke also registered their first career minutes for Missouri.
- Nine different Tigers recorded points in the season opener.
