Mizzou holds off SMU comeback, wins SEC/ACC Challenge matchup

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

Mizzou Women's Basketball clinches an SEC/ACC Challenge win for the Southeastern Conference

MU (8-3) overcame a late comeback bid from SMU (5-4), beating the Mustangs 68-61 at Mizzou Arena. Thursday's win marks the team's third straight win and first-ever victory in the second-annual SEC/ACC Challenge.

You can watch the full postgame press conference with head coach Robin Pingeton and guards Grace Slaughter and Nyah Wilson in the video player below.

The Tigers used a 7-2 scoring run, highlighted by a three-pointer from Wilson, to take their first lead of the game early in the first quarter. Mizzou held onto that advantage for most of the evening, building a lead as large as nine points in the second half.

However, SMU started to rally in the final 10 minutes of the contest. The Mustangs strung together a 9-1 scoring run with 6:42 left on the clock, tying the game 53-53 from the charity stripe.

MU was able to outlast SMU, though. Abbey Schreacke quickly responded with a pair of free throws and a three-pointer to put the Tigers back in the driver's seat by five points, a lead that the team did not lose again.

Four different Mizzou Tigers finished the game in double figures, led by Slaughter (17), Schreacke (16), Ashton Judd (14) and Wilson (10). Slaughter also tallied 10 rebounds to finish the contest with a double-double while shooting 46 percent from the floor.

Mizzou connected on 40 percent of its field goals, including 36 percent of its three-pointers. The Tigers also out-rebounded the Mustangs 40-37 and committed less turnovers than the visitors.

Up next - The Tigers continue their seven-game homestand on Saturday, Dec. 7 against Northern Illinois. Tipoff at Mizzou Arena is scheduled for 2 p.m.