Women’s Basketball Falls to Mississippi State

STARKVILLE, Miss. – University of Missouri women’s basketball fell to Mississippi State, 90-75, Sunday afternoon at Humphrey Coliseum.

Senior forward Hayley Frank led Missouri with 18 points, five rebounds and three assists. The scoring effort saw Frank become the fourth Tiger ever to record 2,000 career points.

Sophomore guard Ashton Judd totaled 17 points and four rebounds in a supporting role.

Senior guard Mama Dembele contributed an all-around performance with 16 points, seven assists and four rebounds.

Freshman guard Grace Slaughter rounded out the effort with 11 points and three boards.

Following the opening tip, teams exchanged the lead in a fast-paced affair. A fastbreak 3-pointer and a pull-up jumper by Frank gave the Tigers a five-point advantage at the halfway mark, the largest of the opener. All five Missouri starters recorded a bucket less than four minutes into the contest. In total, the lead was exchanged five times in the frame and tied three. Judd led the opening effort, recording seven of her final point total, as the Tigers led by a bucket.

Slaughter beat the shot clock with an off-glass floater to begin the scoring and hand Missouri four points of separation, their largest of the half. As the teams grappled for control over the heart of the frame Judd continued to lead the scoring effort for the Black and Gold adding another six in the period.

With 2:07 on the clock, Frank faked from the left wing and drove uncontested to the hoop for a layup. With the make, Frank reached the 2,000 career points milestone. The basket gave the Tigers a 40-39 lead entering the locker room.

Paced by Frank and Hannah Linthacum, Missouri began the second half on a 6-2 run that bolstered their lead to five. The Bulldogs rallied to tie the game over the next three minutes of action. Mama put the Tigers up five with a pair of free throws, but a 21-4 run as the quarter winded down saw Mississippi State take a 67-55 lead entering the fourth.

Missouri clawed back in the contest with a quick 8-2 run to open the fourth. Frank, Slaughter and Demeble all contributed in the offensive surge. Despite the late push, Mississippi State was able to stall the comeback attempt and convert at the free-throw line late to hang on for the victory.

UP NEXT

Missouri will face Florida in the opening round of the SEC tournament at 12:30 p.m. CT at Bon Secours Wellness Arena in Greenville, South Carolina.