Mizzou Women's Basketball Losing Streak Continues Against No. 1 South Carolina
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Missouri women's basketball suffered it's third straight loss on Thursday in a 81-57 game vs No. 1 South Carolina.
Considering the prowess of South Carolina under coach Dawn Staley (Thursday was South Carolina's 65th straight regular season win), there was a lot to like about the way Missouri was able to compete. Missouri was able to cut down South Carolina's lead to just 4 points early in the third quarter. By keeping pace with the Gamecocks in the first three quarters, the Tigers were able to make it less of a David versus Goliath matchup that was expected.
The Gamecocks owned the fourth quarter, outscoring Missouri 30-12 in the final 12 minutes of play. Six turnovers from Missouri ruined any hopes for the Tigers to forge a comeback.
Despite three quarters where Missouri looked like they belonged to compete against the nation's best team, it's too late in the season for Missouri to be taking any moral victories. The Tigers are now 9-7. It's their worst start to a season since 2020 and the first time starting conference play with three straight losses since 2014.
One of Missouri's most prominent issues was again on display against South Carolina in their lack of experience. Due to a knee injury to point guard Mama Dembele, the Tigers' starting lineup included three freshman players. The loss of Dembele was evident on both sides of the court on Thursday. The senior is sixth in the nation in steals per game with 3.5, allowing her to dictate the pace of the game in the transition offense. Without her, Missouri only generated two steals and lacked the up-tempo playing style they usually play with.
"I thought we capitalized on Mama being out," Staley said. "You can't really pressure her the way we were able to pressure some of the other players out there."
Without Dembele, Missouri's veteran leadership is placed almost solely in the hands of graduate forward Hayley Frank. With 16 points each, the duo of Missouri natives including Frank and sophomore guard Ashton Judd led the Tigers in points in the loss. Judd also led Missouri with seven rebounds.
Missouri will have a quick turnaround before traveling to play Vanderbilt on Sunday at 12 p.m.
