COLUMBIA, Mo. (AP) Sophie Cunningham and Grace Berg each scored 12 points and No. 16 Missouri beat Missouri State 65-61 on Tuesday night.
Amber Smith made a jumper from the free-throw line to give Missouri a 55-51 lead with 1:34 to go and Cunningham made two free throws on its next possession for a six-point lead. Missouri State got it within three points on three different occasions after that, the last with two seconds left, but Cunningham sealed it at the line.
Akira Levy added 11 points for Missouri (2-0), which is coming off its third straight NCAA Tournament appearance – going 24-8 for its most wins since 1983-84. Cunningham, who scored 30-plus in her two previous games, was held to 4-of-10 shooting, missing all four of her 3-point attempts.
Missouri coach Robin Pingeton is one win away from 150 at Mizzou and 16 away from 500 career victories.
Danielle Gitzen scored 16 points and Sydney Manning 11 for Missouri State (0-2).
