After an encouraging 12-3 start to the season, conference play hit Missouri like a tidal wave. The Tigers, who had suffered three losses to Southeastern Conference opponents, looked to right the ship against the Crimson Tide on Monday.
Mizzou guard Grace Slaughter (0) shoots the ball over Alabama guard Jessica Timmons (23) on Monday at Mizzou Arena in Columbia. Despite 29 points from Slaughter, the Tigers fell to 0-4 at the start of SEC play as their early schedule has featured stiff competition.
Mizzou’s losses came to Texas, Kentucky and Vanderbilt, and all three teams were ranked in the top 15 when the Tigers faced them. With Alabama ranked No. 21, a victory at home seemed more attainable.
A key to winning the matchup was avoiding a second-half collapse, something that has been a common theme for the Tigers in SEC play. Though Missouri (12-7, 0-4) fought, especially in the second quarter, a collapse ultimately occurred in the fourth, and Missouri fell 74-63.
Mizzou guard Saniah Tyler dribbles between her legs during Monday’s loss at Mizzou Arena in Columbia.
“No coach is happy when you come in and you’re not the winning team,” Missouri coach Kellie Harper said. “Just two more stops, one more score in the middle of that game, and that’s a different ballgame. That’s three more plays, and I think we could have made three more plays.”
Mizzou showed grit throughout the third quarter. The Tigers could not claim the lead over the Tide (17-1, 3-1), but they kept it close. The closest they came in the third was when they trailed 43-40 after a 3-pointer from redshirt senior guard Jayla Smith.
Mizzou head coach Kellie Harper shouts from the sideline Monday at Mizzou Arena.
The second quarter was the most impressive period for the Tigers. After trailing Alabama by as many as 17 points, they clawed their way back. Missouri went on a 10-0 run to pull within 30-23. The Tigers followed it with another run, outscoring Alabama 6-0 to trail by just three, 32-29, at halftime.
“I think we learned that we can play a good three quarters of a game,” junior guard Abbey Schreacke said. “We just need to find a way to pick up our energy right after halftime so we can finish the whole game.”
Mizzou guard Lisa Thompson (4) dribbles down the court Monday at Mizzou Arena.
Junior guard Grace Slaughter put the Tigers on her back, scoring 17 of their 29 first-half points to lead the comeback effort. She finished the game with 23 points and nine rebounds.
“They had some bigs guarding me, so I think just being able to attack them and drive on them was working well,” Slaughter said. “My teammates did a good job of moving the ball around the perimeter, which helped me get good looks.”
The first period saw nine lead changes and four ties. Missouri and Alabama were tied at nine with 4:21 remaining before the Tide seized control. They stitched together a 9-0 scoring run to surge ahead 18-9. By the end of the quarter, Alabama led 22-11.
Alabama spread the ball effectively in the first quarter, with six different players scoring. Seniors Ta’mia Scott and Karly Weathers had five points each to lead the way.
Mizzou guard Grace Slaughter (0) shoots the ball over Alabama guard Karly Weathers (22) on Monday at Mizzou Arena. Slaughter had a near double-double with 23 points and nine rebounds.
The same could not be said for the Tigers. During the first period, Missouri had just two players score. Slaughter logged six points, and senior forward Jordana Reisma added five.
It was not until 4:33 remained in the second quarter that a player with a last name other than Slaughter or Reisma scored. Schreacke hit a 3-pointer to cut Alabama’s lead to 30-18.
Missouri did not get any points from its bench until 5:30 remained in the third quarter. Those points came courtesy of junior guard Lisa Thompson, who drilled a 3-pointer. She came up big later, closing out the third with another 3 to keep Alabama in Missouri’s sights at 53-49.
Mizzou guard Abbey Schreacke (23) shoots the ball Monday at Mizzou Arena.
Despite struggling to get players involved, Missouri had a healthy roster to work with. The Tigers returned to their usual starting five after getting junior guard Shannon Dowell back from a lower-body injury. It marked her second game back after missing four, and she posted 10 points in 33 minutes.
“We’re trying to get her great quality minutes while she’s also helping the team,” Harper said. “Hopefully, each game she’s a little bit better, a little bit more comfortable.”
Mizzou guard Chloe Sotell (22) runs down the court Monday at Mizzou Arena in Columbia.
The Tide were without junior Essence Cody, their second-leading scorer this season, who missed the game with a lower-body injury. Alabama had little trouble in her absence. Weathers, Jessica Timmons and Scott scored 23, 16 and 15 points, respectively.
A win could have changed the tide of Missouri’s season, but the Tigers fell short. They look for redemption against Arkansas at 6:30 p.m. Thursday in Columbia.
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