Tigers fall to South Carolina 83-52
Mizzou WBB (11-5, 0-1 SEC) competed early on with No. 2 South Carolina (13-1, 1-0 SEC), but faltered in the second half as the talent discrepancy showed.
South Carolina ended the first quarter ahead 21-13 after a 13-5 run to end the quarter. Gamecocks forward Ashlyn Watkins proved to be the difference early on, with six first quarters points after going 4-4 from the free throw line.
But Mizzou would not be deterred, closing the gap to two points after a 10-4 run of its own. Grace Slaughter added four points of her own during the run while leading the team with eight first-half points.
The Gamecocks weathered the storm, taking a double-digit lead at the half. They never looked back, dominating the final two quarters to win 83-52.
Mizzou struggled with foul problems all night, as the defending champs shot 32 free throws, making 25 of them. Laniah Randle and Angie Ngalakulondi both fouled out while being limited to 27 minutes between the two of them. This lack of size hurt Mizzou as they were dominated in paint points 40-24.
Karen Steger Action Photography
The talent discrepancy showed in the depth, as Missouri’s bench players failed to measure up with those for the Gamecocks. South Carolina finished with 57 bench points, including three of their four double-digit scorers. Mizzou finished the game with two double-digit scorers with Slaughter (13) and Ashton Judd leading the way with 15. The junior finished 5-11 while going 2-3 from beyond-the-arc.
If you want a silver lining from this contest, I can give you one. Mizzou limited themselves to 14 turnovers while forcing 13 from South Carolina. While this may keep things close against lesser teams, the Gamecocks are too talented to just keep the turnover game close despite still losing.
Karen Steger Action Photography
Now while it doesn’t get much tougher than the defending champs, Mizzou will have its hands full as they travel on the road to No. 19 Alabama (14-1, 1-0 SEC). The Crimson Tide are coming off a 10-point win against Florida and improving to 8-0 at home.
The two will square off in Tuscaloosa on Sunday, Jan. 5 at 2 p.m. on SEC Network+.