Offensive struggles lead to Mizzou WBB’s second-straight SEC loss
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. (KMIZ)
The Mizzou women's basketball team is still on the hunt for its first conference win of the 2024-25 campaign, following a 68-49 loss to No. 19 Alabama on Sunday.
Head coach Robin Pingeton and company are now on a two-game skid, but it's important to note that the competition has been some of the best in the country. The Tigers opened up SEC action with a home game against No. 2 South Carolina, on Thursday, which MU lost 83-52. Then, the grind of the Southeastern Conference shined through early with another ranked opponent, in the Crimson Tide, just a few days later.
It was an off shooting night for Mizzou, as the team shot just 34 percent from the field and 25 percent from 3-point range. No Tigers got into double-digit scoring in the loss, with forward Angelique Ngalakuondi and guard Nyah Wilson leading the charge with nine points apiece.
However, neither time really had a banner shooting night, overall. Alabama went just 40 percent from the field and 33 percent from beyond the arc.
Turnovers and empty possessions were what doomed MU, even after the Tigers actually came out of the gates with a lead, thanks to four early points from Ngalakulondi. After that solid start, though, Mizzou turned the ball over 15 times in the remainder of the first half.
Despite the fact that six Tigers scored points in the opening two quarters, no one registered more than four points.
Through the non-conference portion of the 2024-25 campaign, standouts Grace Slaughter, Laniah Randle and Ashton Judd were top-three on the team in points per game, with a combined average of about 11. However, on Sunday, those three were limited to just 15 combined points.
In the second half, Pingeton's crew found a bit more of a defensive rhythm and also limited themselves to just five turnovers, but it wasn't enough in the end. Alabama scored 18 points off of MU's 20 total turnovers and narrowly out-rebounded the Tigers 37-32.
With the loss, Mizzou dropped to 11-6 on the season and 0-2 in conference play.
Up next - the Tigers will look for its first SEC win in a road trip to Georgia on Thursday, Jan. 9. Tip off is scheduled for 5 p.m.
