By Cole Tussing
The Missouri Tigers’ Cinderella story has ended at the hands of the Lady Vols of Tennessee by a final score of 51-64.
Both teams didn’t shoot well from the field, Mizzou (29%) and Tennessee (39%), but this game came down to two things: momentum swings and whoever wanted it more. Both were in favor of the Volunteers.
Aijha Blackwell had a near double-double performance. She led the Tigers in points (13), assists (4) and rebounds (9). Blackwell also just finished her first year of her collegiate career, stating “I couldn’t have asked for a better start to my career. This was a tough season, but it has prepared me for the rest of my journey mentally, and will contribute to the physical part.”
Hannah Schuchts also left her all on the line for the end of her career as well. Schuchts made a few shots from behind the arc to provide a spark plug in the early going of the game.
“I was so focused on what I could do for the team, and not thinking about how many shots will I take in a game,” Schuchts said.
It wasn’t a one-person crew for Tennessee, though. Rennia Davis put up 15 points and 9 rebounds, and Rae Burrell recorded 16 points.
At the 5:00 mark in the third quarter was when the tides changed. Burrell hit a couple of free throws and an and-one layup to bring the first lead of the game for Tennessee. Feeding off the orange-filled crowd energy, Tennessee had all the momentum and never looked back.
Now, Missouri is headed home to Columbia to regroup and plan for next season.
Tennessee is set to square off against the SEC Player of the Year, Rhyne Howard-led Kentucky Wildcats.