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Robin Pingeton’s Mizzou women have now won four games in a row after an impressive 68-53 win over Auburn. The Tigers inched ahead steadily against 14-7 AU, leading by three after one quarter, seven after two, and 10 after three, and they now stand at 5-3 in SEC play after a 1-3 start.
This was a great win. Cierra Porter went berserk, scoring 27 points and generating a key string of three-point plays.
On Thursday, Porter headlined that cast. During a 3-minute, 27-second stretch in the fourth quarter, the sophomore forward demoralized Auburn with four three-point plays, all on post moves in the paint followed by a free throw. Once Mizzou figured out Auburn’s full-court pressure, Pingeton’s guards routinely found Porter in the paint with a favorable matchup. She made 10 of 14 shots and sank seven of nine free throws.
“It felt really good, but I was getting great, high-percentage looks because of the passes from my teammates,” said Porter, whose previous scoring high was 26 points against UC-Riverside on Dec. 19. “Our game plan was inside-out and we trusted the game plan.”
A few more nights like this and Michael Porter Jr. will be known as Cierra Porter's little brother.
— Joe Walljasper (@JoeWalljasper) January 27, 2017
Perhaps even more impressive: Mizzou won handily without getting much from Sophie Cunningham. The reigning SEC co-player of the week had three points on 1-for-5 shooting and balanced seven rebounds with four turnovers.
Her sister Lindsey did do this, though:
Here's the video of that amazing play from Cunningham @KOMUsports pic.twitter.com/kcG244F8Rx
— Austin Hough (@Austin_Hough29) January 27, 2017
This was a great win.
But the fireworks really started after the game.
Auburn coach Terri Williams-Flournoy as she walks off postgame dais, "Dirty team, dirty team." She's not a fan of Mizzou's style
— Dave Matter (@Dave_Matter) January 27, 2017
Williams-Flournoy on playing Missouri: "They'll hold you. They'll push you. They'll shove you. You have to make the official make the call."
— Dave Matter (@Dave_Matter) January 27, 2017
Here's #Mizzou WBB HC Robin Pingeton's response to Auburn's coach calling her team 'dirty.' (@Dave_Matter with the question) pic.twitter.com/dDE1JM0ffq
— Andrew Kauffman (@A_Kauff) January 27, 2017
Mizzou's Robin Pingeton's response when told Auburn coach said, "Dirty, dirty team" as she left interview room. pic.twitter.com/QXCx5fYuLh
— Dave Matter (@Dave_Matter) January 27, 2017
Sometimes eyes say more than words: Robin Pingeton's reaction when asked about Auburn coach calling Missouri "dirty, dirty team." pic.twitter.com/p3IKgBcVOe
— Dave Matter (@Dave_Matter) January 27, 2017
Next year’s basketball poster better have “We play with some innards” on it.
More Links
- ESPN’s Sam Khan Jr. re-ranked the SEC’s 2013 football recruiting classes. With Mizzou’s “sign top-40 classes and create top-20 product” approach, it is essential that the Tigers’ class grades improve over time, but the 2013 class went from B- to C+, thanks in part to the fact that “seven of the 20 signees transferred, were dismissed, left the team or didn't qualify.”
- Huge dual at Hearnes tonight: Mizzou Wrestling takes on No. 1 Oklahoma State. The Cowboys have wrestlers ranked 12th or better in every weight class, so this will be a stark test of what the Tigers have to offer moving forward. Head coach Brian Smith, meanwhile, it not looking for moral victories — he’s looking for actual ones. Matches begin at 7pm CT, and if you can’t get to Hearnes, follow along on WatchESPN.
- Mizzou Swimming & Diving wraps up the regular season with the Tiger Invite, which starts tonight.
- Mizzou Track & Field is in Fayetteville for the Razorback Invitational.
- New PAPN! We talked about the year’s best games, and ... uh ... two Mizzou losses made the conversation. But listen anyway!