Mizzou women set for in-state matchup against Missouri State
COLUMBIA, Mo (KMIZ)
The Mizzou women's basketball team will host its second in-state foe in a week, as Missouri State will come to the Arena on Wednesday, Dec. 6.
The Tigers won the first in-state meeting of the season, on Saturday. Head coach Robin Pingeton and company dominated Southeast Missouri State, 88-43. Five players got into double-digit scoring against the Redhawks, with graduate forward Hayley Frank leading with way with 18 points.
Pingeton said, ahead of the matchup with the Bears, she's been honing in on rebounding and half-court defense with her group.
"Our ability to put out fires, our rotation sometimes we just, you know, get stuck on that one-on-one accountability and nobody's in that second line of defense," she said. "Those rotations aren't where they need to be, so just continuing to watch film and work on those kind of things."
You can watch the full press conference with Pingeton in the video player below.
The biggest update from the SEMO game was that forward Angelique Ngalakulondi will is day-to-day after banging up her wrist in the loss to Virginia, on Nov. 30. Pingeton didn't have any further updates on her status, but said they will be getting more evaluation on it.
In Ngalakulondi's absence, Jefferson City native, freshman Hannah Linthacum stepped into the starting five.
"She elevates everybody just because of her motor and her presence," Pingeton said. "You watch her on the sidelines and in practice...she is just so invested in everybody on that court. She plays really hard, I think she's got the ability to get out and create some things for us in transition and that doesn't result in her scoring, but it forces teams to decide, you know, am I gonna help out on that rim run and that's gonna leave open a perimeter player for a rhythm three or are we gonna guard her one-on-one inside?"
Wednesday's game against Missouri State will be a continuation of a big month of December for the Tigers. You can find their full December slate below.
- Dec. 6 - vs. Missouri State
- Dec. 9 - vs. Kansas State in St. Joseph, Mo.
- Dec. 17 - at Illinois
- Dec. 12 - vs. Kansas City
"I think there's some really cool opportunities," Pingeton said. "We really try to stay where our feet are and so we haven't even talked about, you know, the big picture of what the month looks like, but the opportunities we have in front of us, they know the importance of just taking it day-by-day. I do think it's going to be a fun month. Not quite as many games as November, which probably is good because that's a lot of wear and tear on the body."
Mizzou and Missouri State will tip off at 6 p.m. at the Arena on Wednesday, Dec. 6.
