KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Mizzou Women’s Basketball (3-7, 0-0 SEC) dropped a close road contest to Kansas City, 59-56, on Sunday afternoon at the Swinney Recreation Center. Mizzou grew a 10-point lead in the game’s opening quarter, but was outscored by eight in the second half to drop its seventh game of the season.
Mizzou had three players score in double figures, led by senior guard Amber Smith (Shreveport, La.) and freshman forward Hayley Frank (Strafford, Mo., who each had 12 points to pace the Tigers. Freshman guard Aijha Blackwell (Berkeley, Mo.) joined the duo in double figures with 11 points, her third consecutive game in double figures.
TURNING POINT
In the fourth quarter, Mizzou held a 6-point advantage at 51-46 with 4:56 remaining the game, but the Roos were able to close the game on a 13-5 run to complete the comeback victory. Kansas City hit two timely three-pointers during the run, and Mizzou was unable to regain the lead after the second triple gave the Roos a 55-53 lead with 1:43 left in the game.
TOP TIGERS
· Blackwell stuffed the stat sheet once again for the Tigers, as she scored 11 points and set new career highs in rebounds (seven) and assists (six).
· Smith led Mizzou in scoring with 12 points while also recording four rebounds, two assists and two steals.
· Frank also chipped in 12 points for the Tigers, marking her eighth consecutive game in double figures.
NOTES
· With the loss, Mizzou falls to 13-2 all-time against Kansas City. It is the first time Kansas City has defeated Mizzou in Kansas City.
· With 11 points, Blackwell scored in double figures for the third consecutive game and the fourth time in her career.
· Blackwell also recorded career highs in rebounds with seven and assists with six, and matched her career high in blocks with two.
· Frank scored in double figures for the eighth consecutive game with 12 points. Over her eight game stretch, Frank is averaging 15.8 points per game.
· The Tiger freshman drained one shot from beyond the arc in the game, continuing her streak of making at least one three-pointer in every game this season. Frank is the first freshman in program history to mark 1+ three-pointer in her first 10 games, passing Kassie Drew, who made one three-pointer in her first nine games in 2004-05.
· Senior guard Jordan Chavis (Lexington, N.C.) set a career high in steals with five, and matched a career high in rebounds with six.
· Redshirt senior forward Hannah Schuchts (Tallahassee, Fla.) recorded three blocks in the game, marking the third time this season and the 13th time in her career she has recorded at least three blocks.
UP NEXT
Next, Mizzou will head to Springfield to face Missouri State on Sunday, Dec. 15. Tipoff from Springfield is slated for 3:00 p.m.
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