Missouri women’s basketball lost 93-75 to Brigham Young University in the second round of the Women’s Basketball Invitation Tournament on March 23 at Marriott Center.
The result ends Missouri’s run in the tournament, closing their season with a record of 17-17 overall and 4-12 in Southeastern Conference play. The game highlighted strong performances from several players despite the defeat.
Junior guard Grace Slaughter led Missouri with 17 points, eight rebounds, and three assists. With this performance, Slaughter moved into fifth place on the program’s all-time single-season scoring list, surpassing Joni Davis and Sophie Cunningham. She also scored at least ten points in every game this season. Junior guard Shannon Dowell contributed 11 points, four rebounds, and two assists. Sophomore guard Chloe Sotell added another 17 points along with three rebounds and two assists. Redshirt senior Jayla Smith finished with 11 points—all scored in the second half—and three rebounds.
The teams exchanged early baskets before BYU closed out the first quarter with a significant scoring run to lead Missouri by a wide margin after one period. Missouri narrowed the deficit early in the second quarter but trailed by more than twenty at halftime following a late three-pointer by Dowell. In the third quarter, both teams traded baskets but BYU maintained its advantage heading into the final frame.
Missouri outscored BYU in the fourth quarter as nine Tigers registered baskets; Sotell led all scorers during that stretch with nine points. However, BYU held onto its lead for victory. Overall, Missouri shot 37 percent from the field compared to BYU’s conversion rate of 51 percent.
The loss marks an end to Missouri’s postseason play for this year.
