Women’s Basketball Defeats Illinois in Braggin’ Rights Showdown

URBANA-CHAMPAIGN, Ill. –  Led by a career-high 20 points from Mama Dembele, University of Missouri Women’s Basketball (8-4, 0-0 SEC) defeated Illinois in the annual McBride Homes Braggin’ Rights Showdown on Sunday in State Farm Arena.

Dembele added four assists and a pair of steals to round out her stat line.

With the assist total, the point guard passed Raeshara Brown (2007-11) for sixth on Missouri’s career assist leaderboard.

Senior forward Haley Frank fell just shy of a double-double, grabbing nine boards to go with 13 points.

Graduate Abby Feit knocked down three triples, swiped a pair of steals and logged two rebounds in an all-around performance.

It was a back-and-forth affair to begin the rivalry contest with Illinois (5-5, 0-1 BIG 10) clinging to a four-point lead halfway through the opening frame. A pair of triples from Frank and freshman Abbey Schreake, less than a minute apart, turned the Tigers’ deficit into a two-point advantage. Neither team could find separation as the score was even at 16-16 as the quarter concluded.

Each team clamped down defensively to open the second, the two squads combined for just six points heading into the media timeout. Coming out of the stoppage, the Illini went on a 10-2 surge. The resulting ten-point lead would be the largest by either team in the contest. A 3-pointer by Feit and a pair of free throws by Dembele cut the Tigers deficit to 30-25 at the break.

Mizzou came out energized to begin the third as a triple from Ashton Judd pulled the Tigers within one. A Dembele layup put Missouri up 37-35 at the six-minute mark, saw the Tigers take their first lead since two minutes into the second quarter. The Black and Gold pressed the advantage to five, but the Fighting Illini rallied late to knot the score at, 44-44 entering the fourth.

The teams traded threes to open the final frame. Mizzou went on a 6-for-6 shooting streak that was matched by the Illini’s 6-of-8 run at the same time. Neither team led by more than three points as the five minute mark elapsed. A corner jumper by Schreacke sparked a late 12-3 run that was capped off by a pair of layups by Frank.

The Strafford, Mo. native held off the home team with four free throws in the final minute to give Missouri the victory.

The Tigers outscored Illinois 36-28 in the paint.

The game featured 14 lead changes, with both teams leading for more than 13 minutes in the contest.

UP NEXT

The Tigers head back to Mizzou Arena to take on the visiting UMKC Roos on Thursday. Tipoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. on SEC Network+.