Columbia, Mo. – Seniors Hayley Frank and Lauren Hansen combined for 46 points to lead the University of Missouri Women’s Basketball team (9-1) past Arizona State (6-3) Sunday afternoon at Desert Financial Arena.
Thirty-one of the veteran duo’s point total came in the second half as the Tigers outscored the Sun Devils 43-29 following the break.
Missouri utilized efficient ball movement to score 38 points around the basket and totaled 19 assists in the contest.
For Hansen, the game marked her third straight with 20 or more in the scoring column. The senior knocked down 10-of-15 shots and added four rebounds.
Frank also grabbed four boards and recorded three blocks on the defensive end. The stat line marked her second game with 20+ points this season.
Graduate guard Sara-Rose Smith notched her third double-double this year with 11 points and a team-leading 15 rebounds.
The Tigers battled with the Sun Devils in a back-and-fourth first frame, Lauren Hansen opened the scoring with a wrap-around layup and connected on a buzzer-beating midrange jumper to hand Missouri a five-point advantage after the opening 10 minutes.
Trailing by three at the conclusion of the half, the Tigers roared back in the third quarter. Hansen and Frank traded baskets as Missouri outscored Arizona State by 12 in the period and took a 52-43 lead.
The Strafford, Mo. native added an additional nine points in the fourth to seal the Tiger victory.
TURNING POINT
Exciting the locker room with a deficit, Missouri began the second half with a 7-0 run to regain the lead. The Tigers would not trail for the remainder of the contest. The initial scoring string was part of a larger 20-5 offensive charge that was capped off by a 3-pointer by Hansen.
TOP TIGERS
- Hansen shot 10-15 from the floor as she posted her most efficient scoring effort this season at 66.7%
- Frank connected on 9-of-17 shots with three 3-pointers and recorded a team-best +/- of 17.
- Smith’s scoring and rebounding effort came in a team-high 34 minutes off the bench
- Graduate guard Haley Troup totaled 10 points and dished four assists
GAME NOTES
- The Tigers win was the first against the Sun Devils in three all-time meetings
- Hansen has recorded 20+ in three straight games for the first time in her collegiate career
- Smith’s 15 rebounds mark a new career high
- The win was the first over a Pac-12 team since Missouri defeated Cal on Nov. 25, 2017
- Sophomore forward Sarah Linthacum made her first career start
- Four Tigers scored in double figures for the third time this season
UP NEXT
Missouri returns home to face Omaha at 11:30 a.m. Friday in Mizzou Arena. The contest will be broadcast on SECN+ and KTGR.
For all the latest information on Mizzou Women’s Basketball, please visit MUTigers.com. For up-to-the-minute updates, follow the Tigers on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook
