Missouri’s playmaking rhythm threatened revenge on No. 8 Arkansas in the SEC Tournament Thursday…that is, until the No. 9 Tigers started the fourth quarter. After Hayley Frank fired off several 3-pointers, Missouri entered the final ten minutes leading 64-56, but a series of missed bunnies and sharp Razorback shooting crushed the Tigers’ chances, and they lost 85-74.
The Tigers’ loss eliminates any hope of a March Madness bid.
“These games are always really tough. There’s not a lot of words to say in the locker room that take away that pain, that heartache” Missouri coach Robin Pingeton said.
Reviewing the Tigers’ first quarter highlight reel may help soften their “heartache.”
After stalling offensively in two prior matchups with Arkansas, Missouri outscored itself in the first half by nearly 20 points. Even though Missouri couldn’t stop Chrissy Carr, a 3-pointer by Katlyn Gilbert helped heat up the Tigers who shot 7 of 14 in the first quarter.
Arkansas played hot on the Tigers’ tails. Carr found almost every opportunity to punctuate the game from the perimeter, ending the game with 34 points, aptly mirroring the senior transfer’s jersey.
Arkansas coach Mike Neighbors chuckled after the game, claiming, “I took her (Carr) out so she can have an Instagram 34 for 34.”
Missouri’s shots clunked more awkwardly in the second quarter, but the Tigers kept it close as the game intensified with March magic. The Razorbacks adjusted after an injury to Makayla Daniels, and they closed out the half leading 41-40.
With its season on the line, Missouri thrived in the third quarter. Frank, who shot 80% from behind the arc, helped rally her team.
“I was able to free up myself, but I think it all came down to my teammates nailing screens,” Frank said. Frank will stick around one more year for the Tigers. Missouri’s Sara Rose-Smith also saw success in the lane and finished the game shooting 4 of 8 with 13 points.
In the end however, the fourth quarter shook the Tigers, who missed a few open layups and struggled to close out on the Razorbacks. Arkansas outscored Missouri 29-10, and the Tigers’ shooting dropped to 23% in the final quarter.
“We let some of those possessions slip through our fingers,” said Pingeton.
Missouri (17-13, 6-10) awaits an invitation to the WNIT, while Arkansas (21-11, 7-9) hopes to stretch closer to a tournament bid as it faces No. 1 South Carolina tomorrow in the quarterfinals.