Missouri welcomes Southern for first game after break / LIVE GAME thread

Finals are done and graduation has been held, which can mean only one thing— Mizzou women’s basketball is back in action. After an eight day break, the Tigers welcome the Southern University Jaguars to CoMo for some prime time, 7 p.m., action on SECN+.

The Jaguars are currently 2-8 on the season with wins against LSU-Shreveport and Wiley College. They haven’t been short in competitive opponents, however, facing the likes of Texas A&M, Iowa, Missouri State, Iowa State and Memphis, to name a few.

The 9-2 Tigers have practically blown past their non-conference opponents, with the exception of Baylor and Missouri State, and are eager to restart a win streak.

Before I begin with my keys to the game, I want to congratulate LaDazhia Williams on getting her degree this weekend as a first generation graduate. With that, let’s get started.

1. Establish defense right off the bat.

No player on Southern is averaging double digits in scoring. The leading scorer is bench player Genovea Johnson who averages 9.7 points per game. The Jaguars struggle to get their offense going so if all five Tigers on the floor can get stops early and not allow runs, then it should be smooth sailing.

2. Turn defense into offense.

I see no way Mizzou’s offense won’t be on a complete roll this game. What I want to see the most is pushing and scoring in transition. The Tigers haven’t had that big of an issue with capitalizing in transition this season. With how I am anticipating their defensive play, their defense needs to turn into offense instantly.

The Tigers should run away with this game, but like every game this season, it is bound to be a thriller.

UPDATES:

No changes to the starting lineup: Dembele, Hansen, Troup, Blackwell, Frank

First quarter:

Genovea Johnson, Southern’s leading scorer, is not in the lineup tonight.

Blackwell gets the offensive rebound off a Hansen miss and lays it in for the first points of the game. 2--0 Mizzou.

Frank passes to Blackwell on the low post for the bucket.

Early transition offense for the Tigers. Troup passes to a wide open Frank for a nothing-but-net three from the top of the key. 7-2 Tigers.

At the media timeout, Mizzou leads Southern 7-5.

After the timeout, Southern ties it up with two free throws.

Southern takes a 10-7 lead with a three from Amani McWain.

Beautiful feed from Higginbottom to Williams for a layup. 13-11 Jaguars.

Frank hits a corner three and just like that, Mizzou retakes the lead. 14-11 Tigers.

Williams with some post moves and scoops the layup off an assist by Higginbottom. 16-13 Mizzou.

Frank drives and pulls up for a midrange jumper. Tigers lead 18-13.

Frank outlet passes off the inbound to Hansen for a layup. Shall I say QB1? 22-13 Tigers.

Mizzou leads 22-13 at the end of the first quarter. Williams is looking a lot like herself. She has eight points on 100% shooting.

Second quarter:

Smith tips the ball off the inbound and it lands in the hands of Troup. She is plowed to the ground. Mizzou ball.

Troup drives and passes it to Blackwell for a cutting layup and is fouled. She converts the and-one opportunity. Tigers lead 25-17.

Dembele draws a foul after running into the screen. Tigers lead 25-21 at the media timeout.

Williams moves to the basket, power dribbles and sinks a layup. Tigers lead 27-21.

Blackwell draws a charge and goes spinning. She flexes on the ground.

Frank swishes a three from the Norm Stewart logo. Southern calls timeout. Mizzou leads 32-23.

Blackwell blocks Fontenot’s three point attempt. The Tigers draw the charge right after.

Halftime: Mizzou leads Southern 33-23. Frank leads Mizzou with 11 points. Williams has 10 points. Blackwell is on double-double alert with 10 points and 8 rebounds.

Third quarter:

Troup with a steal on the inbound play. Blackwell grabs the offense rebound and dishes it Dembele for a nothing-but-net corner three. Mizzou leads 36-25.

Dembele drives right and passes to the left wing to Hansen for a three. Mizzou leads 39-28.

Blackwell has a double-double, 10 points and 10 rebounds.

Higginbottom crosses over, protects the ball and drains the layup. Mizzou up 41-28.

At the media timeout, Mizzou leads Southern 41-30.

After the timeout, Blackwell catches an outlet pass off the inbound and eurosteps for a layup. Mizzou leads 43-30.

At the media timeout, Mizzou leads Southern 43-32.

Troup gets the offense rebound off a Williams miss and puts in back in. Mizzou leads 47-34.

Blackwell crosses over the defender at half court, drives and dishes to Williams for the and-one opportunity. Mizzou leads 49-34.

Blackwell drains a corner three with the shot clock running out off an assist by Troup.

Mizzou forces a five second call on Southern.

At the end of the third, Mizzou leads Southern 54-38.

Fourth quarter:

Frank squeezes through the double team and sinks a layup. Mizzou leads 56-38.

Frank goes through the double team again and sinks another layup. Nearly identical to the previous lay in. Mizzou leads 58-38.

Hansen fakes the three and pulls up for the jumper. 60-38 Tigers.

Dorroh with some solid defense. She forces an airball.

Dorroh drives on Fleming and is fouled on the jump shot. She’ll take her first free throws of her career. She drains both. Mizzou leads 62-38.

Hansen steps back and drains another jumper. Tigers lead 64-40. Jaguars call time out.

Micah Linthacum with a great screen which allows Smith to drive and dish to Frank for a layup.

Smith passes inside to Kelly for her first points of the night. Mizzou leads 70-47.

After missing the rebound, Kelly takes the charge. The bench goes nuts.

Higginbottom drains a three off a screen. Mizzou leads 73-47.

Final: Mizzou defeats Southern 73-54. Blackwell with her eighth double-double of the season with 15 points and 12 rebounds. Frank finished with 21 points and six rebounds. Williams was stellar off the bench with 12 points on 83% shooting.