Missouri women’s basketball continued its out-of-conference slate Sunday, hosting Norfolk State in a 57-54 loss that left Tiger fans with more questions than answers about this young basketball team.
Coming into the season, expectations were mixed for the Tigers after their 2023-24 season ended at 11-19 and last in the Southeastern Conference. Many believed that longtime head coach Robin Pingeton would finally be ousted from the program, having not made an NCAA tournament appearance since the 2018-19 season. However, with much turnover in the Missouri athletics department as of late, Pingeton retained her position and managed to add several new players to the roster, like Tionna Herron, Nyah Wilson, Laniah Randle, and others.
Thus far through the season, the Tigers have left a lot to be desired. In their season debut, on the road against Vermont, Missouri scored only five points in the second quarter, and seven in the third, en route to a 62-46 loss. In their home opener against a weaker Southern team, the Tigers would go 8-24 on three-point shots yet manage to win the contest 66-51.
Norfolk State would be their first real test of the season. With back-to-back NCAA tournament appearances and a 2-0 to start to their season, the Spartans looked as strong as ever.
The game would start rather slowly, with both teams struggling to find their shot in the first quarter. The Spartans ended up with the 13-12 lead by the end thanks to a late three-point shot by senior guard Niya Fields.
The second quarter would be much of the same, with Missouri’s Grace Slaughter going 0-2 on field goals, ultimately unable to replicate her 15-plus point totals in the first two games of the season. By the half the game score was 26-23, a representation of the slow, methodical rhythm that the game had up until that point.
The second half would start quicker, as Missouri forward Angelique Ngalakulondi would score eight of her 14 points in the third quarter, cutting Norfolk State’s lead in the game to two at 42-40.
The fourth quarter would offer the best entertainment of the night, as Missouri’s Abbey Schreacke would rattle off three-straight shots behind the arc to take the lead 53-51 with five minutes left in the game. Despite the late lead, Missouri would still fail to close out the Spartans, scoring one point from then on, whilst Norfolk State’s Diamond Johnson took control of the action, scoring nine of her 17 points in the fourth quarter. Norfolk State would win 57-54, starting their season 3-0 and earning their first win against an SEC opponent in program history.
Missouri now sits at 1-2 on the season, an early sign of trouble to come for the Tigers as matchups get tougher from here. If they wish to right the ship moving forward, Pingeton and her staff have to figure out a way to create a game plan that matches the collection of talent she has at her disposal.
Missouri will continue its out-of-conference schedule Nov. 12, against Tulane.
Coming into the season, expectations were mixed for the Tigers after their 2023-24 season ended at 11-19 and last in the Southeastern Conference. Many believed that longtime head coach Robin Pingeton would finally be ousted from the program, having not made an NCAA tournament appearance since the 2018-19 season. However, with much turnover in the Missouri athletics department as of late, Pingeton retained her position and managed to add several new players to the roster, like Tionna Herron, Nyah Wilson, Laniah Randle, and others.
Thus far through the season, the Tigers have left a lot to be desired. In their season debut, on the road against Vermont, Missouri scored only five points in the second quarter, and seven in the third, en route to a 62-46 loss. In their home opener against a weaker Southern team, the Tigers would go 8-24 on three-point shots yet manage to win the contest 66-51.
Norfolk State would be their first real test of the season. With back-to-back NCAA tournament appearances and a 2-0 to start to their season, the Spartans looked as strong as ever.
The game would start rather slowly, with both teams struggling to find their shot in the first quarter. The Spartans ended up with the 13-12 lead by the end thanks to a late three-point shot by senior guard Niya Fields.
The second quarter would be much of the same, with Missouri’s Grace Slaughter going 0-2 on field goals, ultimately unable to replicate her 15-plus point totals in the first two games of the season. By the half the game score was 26-23, a representation of the slow, methodical rhythm that the game had up until that point.
The second half would start quicker, as Missouri forward Angelique Ngalakulondi would score eight of her 14 points in the third quarter, cutting Norfolk State’s lead in the game to two at 42-40.
The fourth quarter would offer the best entertainment of the night, as Missouri’s Abbey Schreacke would rattle off three-straight shots behind the arc to take the lead 53-51 with five minutes left in the game. Despite the late lead, Missouri would still fail to close out the Spartans, scoring one point from then on, whilst Norfolk State’s Diamond Johnson took control of the action, scoring nine of her 17 points in the fourth quarter. Norfolk State would win 57-54, starting their season 3-0 and earning their first win against an SEC opponent in program history.
Missouri now sits at 1-2 on the season, an early sign of trouble to come for the Tigers as matchups get tougher from here. If they wish to right the ship moving forward, Pingeton and her staff have to figure out a way to create a game plan that matches the collection of talent she has at her disposal.
Missouri will continue its out-of-conference schedule Nov. 12, against Tulane.
Story continues below advertisement