Mizzou WBB flunks first test of the season in 82-59 loss to Syracuse

Tigers drop Game 1 of the Emerald Coast Classic

Even though most students are out on Thanksgiving break, Mizzou WBB was taken to school in its biggest loss of the season.

Mizzou (5-3) jumped out to a 7-point lead early in the game, showing the fire that inspired the four-game winning streak they entered this game with. But that fire quickly fizzled, as Syracuse (3-3) ran over the Tigers 82-59 to take the opening game of the Emerald Coast Classic in Destin, Florida.

Grace Slaughter got off to a quick start in a familiar story, scoring the first five points to inspire an 8-1 Tigers to open the game. Syracuse responded to take a 27-22 lead at the end of the first quarter. The Orange were bailed out at the buzzer when Nyah Wilson slipped and fouled Georgia Woolley on a half-court lead, extending the lead from 2 to 5.

Both teams shot lights out in the opening frame; Mizzou shot 64.3% during the opening frame while Syracuse just had them beat at 66.7%.

The Orange began to pull away in the second, however, opening up a 16-point lead at the half. The Tigers were outscored 17-6 in the quarter, shooting 2-13 overall and 0-7 on triples. Turnovers continue to bottle up head coach Robin Pingeton’s squad, finishing the quarter with 6 as these gave the Orange more chances and the Tigers less chances to break the funk.

The Tiger deficit grew larger and larger in the third, finding themselves in a 25-point hole to end the quarter. The increased point differential simply came down to different levels of shot making. Mizzou finished the quarter at 38.5% while Syracuse wrapped up at 81.8%. Nothing changed despite changes in schematics or personnel, as Pingeton’s team was frustrated at every turn.

Both teams meandered their way through the final frame, as Missouri won its only quarter of the game 15-13.

The Tigers were dominated in the post, doubled up in points in the paint at 44-22. The Orange got more looks due to elite passing, winning the assist battle 26-17.

One of the sole highlights for Mizzou was Slaughter hitting double-digits once again with 13 points while attempting 8 FTs as she attempted to get downhill. De’Myla Brown saw 11 minutes off the bench, burying two threes for 6 points in the game.

After the same starting five in their last three contests, Pingeton switched it up by running Ashton Judd with the starters in place of Laniah Randle. This marked the first time Judd has started since Tulane nearly two weeks ago, while it was the first time Randle has come off the bench in her short time as a Tiger. Randle played another solid game with 9 points and 7 rebounds.

This snapped Mizzou’s four-game winning streak, dropping day 1 of the Emerald Coast Classic. The Tigers are back in action in the consolation bracket, closing out the tournament against the loser of Creighton/Wichita State at 5 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 26.