SportbasketballNCAA Basketball
Mizzou women’s basketball stifles Wazzu in neutral site win
Just days after surrendering a staggering 100 points in a demoralizing loss to Troy, the Mizzou women’s basketball team delivered a defensive masterclass that would make any coach proud, stifling Washington State 71-54 in the Women’s Basketball Coaches Association Showcase. This wasn't just a bounce-back win; it was a statement.From the opening tip, the Tigers exerted their will, leading for over 37 minutes of game time and completely dictating the tempo. The defensive intensity was the story of the night, as Mizzou forced the Cougars into a brutal shooting night, holding them to a paltry 29% from the field and an even uglier 23% from beyond the arc.The discipline was off the charts, with the Tigers committing only eight fouls all game, which meant Washington State got a mere six attempts from the charity stripe and Mizzou avoided any foul trouble that could have disrupted their rhythm. While the offense wasn't quite at its season-average fireworks display, it was ruthlessly efficient, posting shooting splits of 48/38/79.The dynamic Shannon Dowell was simply sensational, dropping a cool 20 points on a hyper-efficient 8-of-10 shooting while cleaning the glass for 10 rebounds to secure her third double-double of the young season. She was far from alone, as Jayla Smith tied her career-high with 16 points, shooting a blistering 6-of-7 from the field, and Grace Slaughter and Jordana Reisma also cracked double digits, showcasing the kind of balanced scoring that deep tournament runs are built on.The game unfolded with Mizzou in firm control, building a 21-13 first-quarter lead on the back of red-hot 53% shooting, including 60% from three-point land, with five different Tigers getting on the scoresheet. They maintained that momentum in the second, another 21-point quarter fueled by a perfect 9-of-10 from the free-throw line and an 8-0 run sparked by back-to-back buckets from Dowell, who headed into halftime with 13 points.The third quarter turned into a defensive slog where both teams combined for only 23 points, but Mizzou's lead never dipped into single digits, and they sealed the deal with an 18-12 fourth-quarter advantage, with the defense clamping down to hold Wazzu to 0-for-7 from deep. This performance underscores the most significant shift under Coach Kellie Harper: a stark defensive identity.The numbers don't lie—in wins, they are allowing just 63. 8 points, a figure that balloons to 91 in losses.With seven steals and stout individual defense across the board, this win signals that the Tigers are figuring out who they are. They head to the Fort Myers Tip-Off for a Black Friday matchup against Bradley with a renewed sense of purpose, proving that defense, more than any highlight reel play, is what truly wins games.
#lead focus news
#Mizzou women's basketball
#Washington State
#defensive win
#Shannon Dowell
#WBCA Showcase
#team performance
