Deadeye shooting and forced turnovers defined the second game of the Mizzou women’s season as they took down the Bradley Braves 83-38 on Thursday. After making only one 3-pointer in the season opener, the Tigers nailed 10 in game 2, while Caroline Waite fell flat for Bradley with only 6 points following her 24-point barrage in the Braves opener.
The Tigers were led in scoring by Lauren Hansen with 17 points on 7/13 shooting from the field and three triples. Mama Dembele also had a big performance, pitching in 6 assists, 6 rebounds, and 3 steals. The Tigers have had 10 or more steals as a team in both games so far this season.
Missouri Head Coach Robin Pingeton was impressed with how the defense looked. “We’re alittle bit more aggressive,” she stated. “We got into passing lanes a little bit more.”
The team also shot 10/23 from beyond the arc this game after shooting only 1/13 against Missouri State. “I think we’ve got some really competent players and kids that really can knock it down at a high rate,” Pingeton claimed. “I wasn’t too alarmed with the Missouri State game. I don’t think that’s really typical of what you’ll see from us.”
Bradley couldn’t get much going throughout the game, scoring only 17 points as a team in the first half and allowing a 19-0 run from Mizzou quickly after halftime. Alex Rouse and Isis Fitch tied for the team lead in points for the Braves with nine. Following an impressive performance in Bradley’s season opener including five 3-pointers, Caroline Waite, only managed 6 points on 2/9 shooting, both three pointers in the first half.
“I really challenged them in the second half and I think she got one three off and we had much better effort and a sense of urgency to make sure we got her guarded on that 3-point line” Pingeton explained.
The Braves now move to 1-1 on the season and will look to achieve a winning record again when they face South Dakota on Sunday. The Tigers are now 2-0 and will aim for another big win when they face the 1-1 Southeastern Missouri State Redhawks on Sunday.