COLUMBIA, Mo. – Led by 23 points from senior guard Lauren Hansen, the University of Missouri women’s basketball team claimed a win in their opening game of the Arizona State Classic on Saturday evening, defeating UMass, 71-66 at Desert Financial Arena.
A tight back-and-forth battle in the first quarter, Hansen totaled 11 of the team’s 17 points in the opening frame.
Trailing by one at the start of the second, the Tigers caught fire to regain control of the lead and finished the half by outscoring the Minutewomen 17-6
Mizzou maximized an ample amount of offensive opportunities from beyond the arc. The Tigers knocked down 15 triples and outsourced UMass 45-15 from deep.
Hansn’s scoring total was bolstered by six 3-pointers of her own, marking the second-consecutive game with six or more triples for the senior.
Veteran Hayley Frank contributed 16 points in her second-straight double-digit game and seventh of the season.
Sophomore Sarah Linthacum and graduate Haley Troup dominated the boards pulling down a team-high 13 and seven, respectively. The team collected a new season-high game total of 42 rebounds overall.
Troup also added 12 points and three assists.
UMass put together a desperate surge late in the final frame, but a pair of clutch triples by freshman Ashton Judd and Hansen delivered Mizzou the victory.
TURNING POINT
Starting the second quarter trailing by one, Mizzou regained the lead and never looked back. The Tigers caught fire midway through the second quarter going on an 8-0 run over the course of a minute, ultimately outscoring UMass 17-6 in the final stretch of the period to end the half leading 37-30.
TOP TIGERS
- Lauren Hansen recorded 23 points, 11 of which came in the opening quarter. She shot 50% from the floor, tallying a total of six field goals made from beyond the arc.
- Hayley Frank knocked down 16 points and pulled five rebounds, making this her seventh game this year with double-digit points.
- Haley Troup contributed 12 points, seven rebounds, three assists and one steal.
- Sara-Rose Smith collected a team-high 13 rebounds, marking her fourth double-digit game this season.
GAME NOTES
- The Tigers move to 8-1 on the season
- Mizzou is now 1-0 against UMass in the first-ever program matchup, as well as 29-1 all-time against Atlantic 10 opponents.
- Knocking…
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