Editors note: This article was originally written Nov. 16. Due to Thanksgiving Break, it was not posted until Nov. 26.
By Lauren Rosenberg
No. 16 Missouri women’s basketball took on the unranked Green Bay Phoenix on Nov. 16 at Mizzou Arena. The Tigers were looking to continue onto 3-0 after just squeezing by Missouri State on Tuesday, Nov. 13.
Missouri started with the momentum in the 1^st quarter, leading Phoenix 12-6. Green Bay scored eight unanswered point to Missouri’s five and decreased their deficit to three. Junior Amber Smith led the way for the Tigers in the first quarter scoring 11 points, shooting 3-5 from the field, 5-5 from the charity stripe, 3 rebounds and 1 assist. For the Phoenix, Laken James led in scoring with 3 points, shooting 1-1 from the field, 1-2 from the charity stripe and recorded 1 rebound.
In the 2^nd quarter, Smith sunk the first points of the quarter with a layup and a foul. She had the opportunity to convert an and-1 but she botched the free throw. The Phoenix came ready to compets, as Jen Wellnitz completed a highlight behind the back pass to Meghan Pingel for a perfect 3 pointer.
Green Bay took its first lead of the night off of a heavily contested jumper from Anna Brecht with 1:08 left in the half. The Tigers weren’t going to let off and regained the lead after Smith converted a perfect hook shot. At the end of the half, Missouri led Green Bay 23-22.
Missouri once again scored the first points of the 3^rd quarter off of a wide open 3 from senior Hannah Schuchts, her first points of the night. Smith extended the lead to 6 after sinking a floater for her 17^th point of the night. The Phoenix weren’t going to let their momentum drop as they ended their drought and scored their first points of the half off of a jumper from James. Freshman Akira Levy stepped up for the Tigers, off her ball handling and inside scoring skills with a euro-step layin. Green Bay retook the lead following a jumper from Pingel to end the 3^rd quarter.
The 4^th quarter was Missouri’s kryptonite. Green Bay extended their lead to 3 points after countless empty possessions from Missouri. Sophie Cunningham ended their scoring drought sinking a 2 pointer just in front of the 3 point line. Empty possesions continued to plague the Tigers as Green Bay extended their lead to 6. Lauren Aldridge came into the 4^th quarter on fire as she fired two clutch 3 point shots, her first two makes of the night
Unfortunately for the Tigers, Aldridge’s shots weren’t enough and they dropped the game 53-49, dropping Missouri to 2-1 on the young season.
The Phoenix snapped the Tiger’s 54 game non-conference home win streak that dated back to Dec. 7. 2011, Coach Robin Pingeton’s 2^nd season as Missouri’s head coach.
Edited by Garrett Jones | [email protected]