Tigers lose 82-66 after being outscored in 2nd half, 42-22
This was the lede I used for the LSU loss a little over a week ago. I figured, might as well bring it back as Mizzou (13-14, 2-10 SEC) lost at home to No. 16 Oklahoma (19-6, 7-5 SEC) in the EXACT SAME WAY.
Tigers led at the half 44-40 before the Sooners ran circles around them 25-10 in the third. Oklahoma continued that momentum into the fourth, securing the road win 82-66.
Mizzou trailed 17-15 after the first in a perfectly fine quarter of basketball. There wasn’t much to say, as each team matched one another in almost every category. The only reason the Tigers were behind was a couple missed shots that were relatively open. It was a strong first quarter for Averi Kroenke who scored four points including a steal/layup combo to get the crowd rocking.
The second quarter was completely different, as the two teams combined for 52 points. When the dust settled, Mizzou led at the half 44-40. The Tigers scored 29 points while only missing one shot. Laniah Randle turned on her takeover badge with eight points in the quarter and 12 in the first half to lead the team. But it was really offense-by-committee, as seven different players scored for the home team.
“Got a lot more freedom of movement. It felt like we were able to run our sets pretty effectively,” head coach Robin Pingeton said. “Really good shot selection and kids knocking down shots…that’s a heck of a quarter.”
(CAL TOBIAS/ROCK M)
At one point Mizzou led by nine, but a 9-4 run by the Sooners to close the half cut into the lead. The only reason the game was relatively close was five Tiger turnovers, cutting several offensive trips short.
The third quarter is where the tide shifted…again. Oklahoma snagged a double-digit lead after outscoring Mizzou 25-10 in the quarter. The Sooners shot their way back into this one at 9-14 in the quarter while the Tigers shot themselves out at 4-12.
Lexy Keys and Zya Vann proved to be Tiger killers off the bench combining for 15 of Oklahoma’s 25 in the quarter. They finished the game with a combined 24 points.
The fourth quarter proved to be much of the same. After an Abbey Schreacke three to open the quarter, Oklahoma put the game out of reach with a 12-2 run. The Tigers never got it back to single digits, losing 82-66.
In my preview I mentioned how one of the keys to competing with Oklahoma is winning the bench points. The Tigers weren’t able to follow through, falling behind in the category 33-26. In a surprise move, Ashton Judd came off the bench for the first time since November, scoring a team-high 13 points.
“It was just a little bit of a hiccup on her part. You know, team rules, nothing big,” Pingeton said. “It’s just a team issue, but nothing to write home about, just all part of it.”
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Slaughter and Randle were the other Tigers in double-digits with 12 points each.
The offensive glass belonged to the Sooners, winning 15-7 on the offensive glass and second chance points 19-1.
“With their style, their system they’ve got, they can post up anybody,” Pingeton said.
Mizzou WBB has now lost 14 consecutive ranked wins across the last three seasons. The Tigers will look to FINALLY break that streak against No. 8 Kentucky (20-4, 9-3 SEC) at home at 6:30 p.m. on SEC Network+.
(CAL TOBIAS/ROCK M)