Columbia News

Missouri women's basketball secured a 77-69 victory over Tulane on Thursday night at Avron B. Fogelman Arena in New Orleans. The team was led by junior guard Grace Slaughter, who scored 27 points and contributed six assists, five rebounds, and two steals. Slaughter was perfect from the free-throw line, making all 12 attempts. This achievement ties her with Lisa Plummer, Tracy Ellis, Cierra Porter, and Hayley Frank as the only Tigers in program history to convert 100 percent of their free throws with 10 or more attempts.

Junior guard Shannon Dowell reached a personal milestone during the game by scoring her 1,000th career point in the fourth quarter. Dowell finished with 10 points and collected 12 rebounds.

Additional contributions came from junior guard Abbey Schreacke with 13 points—including four three-pointers—and two assists. Junior guard Lisa Thompson added 10 points, five rebounds, and three assists. Redshirt-senior guard Jayla Smith provided another 10 points along with three rebounds and two steals.

The contest began evenly matched until Mizzou went on an eight-point run midway through the first quarter after consecutive three-pointers from Slaughter and Schreacke. A transition three-pointer by Smith gave Missouri a seven-point lead at the end of the first period.

Tulane responded in the second quarter to take a brief lead before Slaughter hit a long-range three-pointer. The Green Wave continued to press but Missouri regained control late in the half with scores from Jordana Reisma and Chloe Sotell to enter halftime ahead by two points.

In the third quarter, Missouri's offense accelerated with a quick sequence featuring a Schreacke three-pointer followed by a Dowell layup that initiated a 13-3 run. Schreacke led scoring for the period as Missouri extended its advantage to eleven heading into the final frame.

Tulane narrowed Missouri’s lead to four points in the fourth quarter after a six-point run but Missouri maintained composure and secured victory at the free-throw line.