The Missouri women held off a strong challenge from the visiting Western Illinois Leathernecks on Tuesday night, opening the 2019-2020 season with a 97-89 victory at Mizzou Arena in Columbia.
Strong play from the MU seniors and an advantage in bench production proved to be critical for the Tigers, along with clutch free throw shooting, with 13-of-16 accuracy from the stripe. The Tigers, on the strength of a three-ball by Jordan Chavis, grabbed a two-point halftime lead, but struggled to eliminate the Leathernecks, with WIU opening the second half on a 12-2 run. Down four heading into the fourth quarter, Missouri was able to rally to even the score, then use defensive intensity to build an overtime lead.
Junior guard Elle Brown came off the bench for a career-high 15 points for Coach Robin Pingeton, part of a 28-13 advantage from the Tiger reserves on the night.
