Mizzou WBB steamrolls NIU 94-55 in 3-point barrage

Dec 7, 2024 | Uncategorized

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Missouri guard Grace Slaughter (0) is announced prior to Missouri’s matchup against Northern Illinois on Saturday, Dec. 7, 2024 at the Mizzou Arena in Columbia. | (MICHAEL BANIEWICZ/ROCK M NATION)

Tigers win their 4th straight

Mizzou women’s basketball (9-3) showed no signs of fatigue despite one day of rest, controlling a home win against Northern Illinois (3-4) 94-55. The Tigers did their damage behind the line, with 14 threes on 50% shooting.

Mizzou ended the first quarter ahead 25-12 after a 16-2 run in the final 5:20. The Tigers’ three-ball proved to be the difference early, making 4-6 of their triples compared to 0-5 for NIU. But the team wasn’t afraid to go inside, with Angie Ngalakulondi racking up six quick points in the paint plus four rebounds.


(MICHAEL BANIEWICZ/ROCK M NATION)
Missouri forward Angelique Ngalakulondi (30) receives a pass on Saturday, Dec. 7, 2024 at the Mizzou Arena in Columbia.

The second quarter was more of the same, as Mizzou held a 23-point lead after scoring 28 points in the quarter. Once again it was Ashton Judd and Grace Slaughter leading all scorers, combining for 24 in the half. Judd added her own part to the 3-point barrage with three of her own. The junior has lit up the scoreboard across her last four games, averaging 16 points after averaging 7.5 in her first 8 games.

“It was kind of a hard start to the year, I put a lot of pressure on myself and I have high expectations,” Judd said. “ I think just being able to like Coach [Robin Pingeton] said take a deep breath and let the game come to me, be where I need to be on the court.”


(MICHAEL BANIEWICZ/ROCK M NATION)
Missouri guard Ashton Judd (24) shoots a three-point shot on Saturday, Dec. 7, 2024 at the Mizzou Arena in Columbia.

There was more of the same in the second half, as the Tigers rallied for their third win of 30-plus this season. Slaughter led all scorers with her first 20-point outing since the Tulane game earlier this season. She finished with no rebounds and only one assist. Real hooper stats. De’Myla Brown added three triples in the fourth quarter, expediting the lead in the latter minutes.

“We got a deep roster, and to get everybody minutes is really challenging,” Pingeton said. “I thought she was ready when her number was called. Had some really, really good minutes. And in my opinion, as a coach, that’s how you get extended minutes.”

The Tigers have been on a grind this year, as they have played in the most games of any D1 team (12), tied only with Morgan State. They will have seven days before their next game, smashing the previous rest break of four days.


(MICHAEL BANIEWICZ/ROCK M NATION)
Missouri forward Laniah Randle (4) looks for an open teammate to pass to on Saturday, Dec. 7, 2024 at the Mizzou Arena in Columbia.

“Our strength and conditioning coach, Tyler [Stuart], has done a great job in the preseason of not only trying to prepare our bodies, but making sure that we’re getting right in the weight room,” Judd said. “The coaches take care of us too, like practices, making sure that our bodies are right and accommodating to the right amount of games.”

After a week off the Tiger return to action against Lipscomb (6-3) at 3 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 15 at Mizzou Arena.

“There’s a lot of emotion that goes into every day, every practice,” Pingeton said. “Constant opportunities to tweak things, and improve on things and build on things. So first things first it’ll be a good couple day break for them, and then looking forward to getting back after it [at practice] on Wednesday.”


(MICHAEL BANIEWICZ/ROCK M NATION)
Missouri guard Averi Kroenke (21) covers an NIU player on Saturday, Dec. 7, 2024 at the Mizzou Arena in Columbia.

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