COLUMBIA, Mo. (MUTigers.com) – Mizzou Women’s Basketball (4-11, 1-1 SEC) jumped out to an early lead and held off a late comeback to defeat LSU (11-3, 1-1 SEC), 69-65, on Sunday afternoon at Mizzou Arena. The win was Mizzou’s first of its conference schedule and snapped a five-game losing streak.
Mizzou had four players score in double figures, led by the first career double-double from freshman guard Aijha Blackwell (Berkeley, Mo.), who had 15 points, 11 rebounds and five assists. Joining Blackwell in double figures was senior guard Amber Smith (Shreveport, La.), senior guard Jordan Chavis (Lexington, N.C.) and freshman forward Hayley Frank (Strafford, Mo.), who scored 13, 13 and 11 points, respectively.
Mizzou had its largest halftime lead of the season at 42-21, but had to halt a furious second-half comeback from LSU, who outscored Mizzou 44-27 in the game’s final 20 minutes. As LSU was trying to finish off its comeback, Mizzou went to the free throw line eight times in the game’s final quarter, converting on 6-of-8 attempts and 5-of-6 attempts in the final two minutes.
Mizzou hosts No. 15/14 Mississippi State on Thursday, Jan. 9. Tipoff from Mizzou Arena is slated for 6 p.m. CT on SEC Network.
