In a decisive victory, the University of Missouri Women’s Basketball team defeated Missouri State 81-63 on Wednesday night at Mizzou Arena, propelled by senior guard Mama Dembele’s near triple-double performance.
Dembele showcased an impressive all-around game, recording 10 points, 12 assists, and eight rebounds. This marked her third double-double of the season, falling just two rebounds short of achieving Missouri’s first triple-double since 2011. Additionally, Dembele moved into eighth place on the program’s all-time assist leaderboard, trailing only one behind Latoya Bond (2002-06) for seventh.
Sophomore guard Ashton Judd led the Tigers in scoring with 20 points, supported by a 4-for-8 performance from beyond the arc. Judd secured her second double-double of the season with 10 rebounds. Veteran forward Hayley Frank contributed significantly with 14 points and nine rebounds, maintaining her streak of double-digit points in eight of Missouri’s nine games.
Missouri dominated the opening frame, outscoring Missouri State 22-11, with Frank’s defensive prowess sparking an 11-2 Tigers’ run. Judd’s seven points in the first quarter extended Missouri’s lead to 16-7. Heading into halftime, the Tigers held a 40-27 advantage.
In the third quarter, Mizzou extended its lead with back-to-back 3-pointers from Judd and Frank. Freshman Grace Slaughter also contributed from beyond the arc. Dembele’s performance in the final frame, including drawing a foul and converting a three-point play, sealed the victory for Missouri.
As a team, the Tigers out-rebounded Missouri State 44-36, marking the third consecutive game with 40 or more boards. This win also represented the fifth time the Tigers scored 80-plus points in a contest.
Looking ahead, the Tigers are set to face former Big 12 foe #13 Kansas State in Saint Joseph, Mo., on December 9. The neutral site matchup is scheduled to tip off at 5 p.m. inside Civic Arena, with fans able to tune in on the Varsity Network.
