Mizzou WBB begins conference play with win over Kentucky

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

The Mizzou basketball teams stayed perfect against the Kentucky Wildcats to open up SEC play on Thursday. Just one night after the men's team knocked off No. 19 Kentucky, the women's team downed the Wildcats 74-71 to improve to 12-2 this season.

Watch the full post-game press conference with Robin Pingeton and players below.

Kentucky took MU down to the wire in the close win. UK got off to a quick lead in the first half, courtesy of the shooting trio of Blair Green, Robyn Benton and Jada Walker. Head coach Robin Pingeton's group trailed by nine at the end of the first quarter, however, the team came out hot in the second.

Mizzou came back from what was, at one point, a 12-point Kentucky lead to take a 27-25 lead just before halftime. MU went into the break up on UK by nine.

After the break, Hayley Frank and Lauren Hansen continued what turned out to be a big shooting night for the duo. Frank rang off 13 points in the closing half on her way to a 20-point game. Hansen finished the game with 18 points.

Watch extended highlights from the game below.

Freshman Ashton Judd also had a good outing for the Tigers. She racked up 12 points and three rebounds.

The Wildcats nearly stole this one away from MU in the final seconds, as Hansen fouled out and sent UK to free throw line, down by three with about three seconds left to play. But, Pingeton's group held strong in the end.

Up next - Mizzou will travel to Auburn for a New Year's Day match up with the other Tigers. Tip off is at 3:00 p.m. on Jan. 1.