BURLINGTON, Vt. – University of Missouri women’s basketball dropped its 2024-25 season opener to Vermont, 62-46, Monday night at Roy L. Patrick Arena.
Sophomore guard Grace Slaughter led the way for the Tigers with 16 points and three rebounds, going eight for eight from the free throw line.
Senior Laniah Randle added 11 points, five rebounds and two steals, including seven points in the fourth quarter in her Tiger debut.
Junior guard Ashton Judd collected seven points, seven rebounds and a steal for Missouri (0-1, 0-0 SEC) in the effort.
The Tigers stormed out of the gate, taking an early 6-0 lead behind four quick points from Randle. Vermont (1-0, 0-0 AEC) slowly worked its way back into the game and tied the contest near the midpoint of the frame.
Slaughter and sophomore guard Abbey Schreacke powered Missouri’s offense, but Vermont was able to hold a narrow 23-20 advantage following a 3-pointer by Judd in the final seconds.
Slaughter led Missouri with six points in the first, going two for three from the field and adding a pair of free throws. The Tigers ended the quarter shooting sixty percent from the field and two of four from beyond the arc.
Missouri ramped up the defensive pressure in the second and held the Catamounts to seven points. Slaughter, Randle and graduate forward Angelique Ngalakulondi added buckets on the offensive end, but the Catamounts remained on top and led 30-25 at the half.
The opening half featured four ties and a lead change for each side.
The Tigers continued to battle into the third frame, adding baskets from Slaughter, Ngalakulondi and Judd. Despite the scores, Vermont was able to extend its advantage to 44-32, heading into the fourth.
Missouri worked to fight their way back as Randle collected seven points in the final quarter including an and-one layup. Slaughter, Judd and graduate guard De’Myla Brown also added baskets on the offensive end. Despite the late effort, Vermont held on for the victory.
UP NEXT
Missouri will welcome Southern to Mizzou Arena at 7 p.m. CT on Thursday for the 2024-25 home opener. The contest is available to be streamed live on SECN+.
