Mizzou women’s basketball cruises past Tennessee Tech, opens season 3-0

The Missouri women's basketball team started their season with an impressive 3-0 record, defeating the Tennessee Tech Golden Eagles 106-59. Fresh off a disappointing opening game, Grace Slaughter led the team with 25 points on 10-of-17 shooting, marking the first time in head coach Kellie Harper's tenure that the Golden Eagles scored over 100 points.

Mizzou secured an early lead, only trailing for 10 seconds after Evelyn Freeman's layup gave Tennessee Tech a 9-7 lead. Nevaeh Caffey tied the score with a layup of her own just 10 seconds later, and Slaughter's three-pointer at 5:06 started a lead that the Tigers never relinquished. Despite Tennessee Tech's early shooting of 53% in the first quarter, Missouri's Grace Slaughter went 2-for-2 from three in the opening period.

Both Slaughter and McKenzie Mathurin led the team with six points each in the first quarter, contributing more than half of the team's 22 points. The Tigers' shooting precision became apparent throughout the game, with Missouri going 10-24 from beyond the arc, including three-pointers from Slaughter and Abbey Schreacke. The game saw a 20-2 run by Missouri in the third quarter, fueled by Schreacke's three-point streak, Mathurin's fast-break three, and Natalya Hodge's layup.

Missouri's lead peaked at 47 points, with Tanyuel Welch posting a double-double of 18 points, 12 rebounds, and six assists. The Tigers dominated in several statistical categories, including rebounds (52-28), assists (21-15), steals (10-10), blocks (10-0), and points in the paint (52-38). Missouri's shooting percentages improved significantly in the second half, with a 56.4% field goal percentage and 64% in the second half, contributing to a 60-point outburst.

Tennessee Tech's top scorer was Amaya Redd with 13 points, followed by Lareesha Cawthorn and Evelyn Freeman with 12 and 11 points respectively. Missouri will host UT Martin at Mizzou Arena on Thursday.