By Lauren Rosenberg

The struggling 2-6 Missouri Tigers returned home looking to get back on their feet after being swept by New Mexico and North Carolina at the Cancun Challenge over Thanksgiving break 

The 6-2 Saint Louis Billikens looked to get their win streak back to two after defeating Southeast Missouri State at home on Tuesday.

Right from the beginning, Missouri took control. Ajah Blackwell stole the tip off and ran the ball in for an easy two-point shot to start the game off. Blackwell would go on to make a jumper, but SLU’s Rachel Kent would respond with a three-pointer to put the Billikens on the board. Blackwell would go on to get the Tiger’s first six points until Amber Smith added by draining a three-pointer. 

The Tigers would go on a seven-point scoring run due in part to another Smith three. 

Hayley Frank would cap off the Tigers’ successful first quarter with a three-pointer to end the quarter with a score of 22-12 in favor of Missouri.

Jordan Chavis would start off the second quarter by getting the Tigers on the board with a three. A bit later, Chavis would get fouled from beyond the arc and convert her three free-throws to extend Missouri’s lead to 14. 

Nadia Green would go coast-to-coast on transition after a steal to further extend the lead to 17. 

SLU would end the half with four straight points from Ciaja Harbison.

At the half, Missouri had all of the momentum and led the Billikens 44-27.

The second half started with two straight threes by Smith and Blackwell, followed by Billikens’ Kendra Wilken getting SLU on the board.

Hannah Schuchts started to catch fire in the third quarter, draining two straight threes. Harbison decided to join the three-point party and drained one of her own. 

Frank was responsible for seven of Missouri’s last 10 points as she nailed another three at the end of the third quarter assisted by Chavis.

The beginning of the fourth quarter had Saint Louis written all over it. 

The Billikens came out running with Harbison converting a layup on a fastbreak after a Blackwell turnover, stolen by Lauryn Hughes. She would then get followed on the next scoring possession and convert both shots from the charity stripe. 

Myiah Clark joined in on the fun and extended SLU’s scoring run to six until Smith spoiled the party and converted a layup followed by another Frank three.

Clark would score five of the Billikens’ points until Green swooped in for a layup.

Elle Brown would go coast-to-coast after stealing the ball away from Victoria Mikkelsen and get fouled for an and-one opportunity which she converts. 

Blackwell would join the steal party and also go coast-to-coast after another Mikkelsen turnover.

To end the fourth quarter, SLU would score the last six points. Brittany Garner fouled Myriam Smith-Taore for an and-one opportunity that she also converted.

Chloe Rice capitalized on a fastbreak, going coast-to-coast, after stealing the ball from Chavis. 

Despite SLU’s efforts, Missouri was able to get their largest win of the season in a game that was a runaway from the start, defeating the Billikens 83-58. 

Blackwell showed Tiger fans what she is capable of, redeeming herself of her beginning season struggles.

Saint Louis:

Ciaja Harbison: 19 points on 46% shooting.

Myiah Clark: 12 points on 43% shooting.

Missouri:

Amber Smith: 14 points on 60% shooting from the field and 67% 2/3 from three.

Jordan Chavis: 14 points on 100% shooting from the field and 100% from the free-throw line.

Aijha Blackwell: 17 points, six rebounds, three assists, two blocks and two steals on 50% shooting from the field and from three, 1/2 and 100%, 4/4, from the line.

Hayley Frank: 16 points on 50% shooting from the field, 60%, 3/5, from three and 5/6 from the line.

Missouri will travel to Kansas City where they will face the Roos on December 8. 

Edited by Emma Moloney | ehm3gd@mail.missouri.edu