INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. – Mizzou Women’s Basketball fell on the road to IUPUI, 73-45, on Sunday afternoon in Indianapolis. IUPUI (6-1) shot 52 percent from the field, including 50 percent from beyond the arc, and used a strong first half to build a lead and down Mizzou (6-3).
Sophomores Sophie Cunningham (Columbia, Mo.) and Cierra Porter (Columbia, Mo.) led the Tigers. Cunningham notched 13 points, reaching double figures for the eighth time in nine games. Porter tallied 12 points and six rebounds. She’s collected at least 10 points in nine consecutive games to begin the 2016-17 campaign.
With the score knotted at 6-6 early in the opening quarter, IUPUI put together a 16-5 run to push in front by 11. Cunningham battled back with buckets on back-to-back possessions to cut Mizzou’s deficit to 25-17 at the 7:21 mark, but the Jaguars’ hot-shooting continued as they took a 41-21 edge into halftime.
Mizzou started the second half with a quick 5-0 spurt. Following a spin move and layup by freshman Amber Smith (Shreveport, La.), Cunningham drilled a three on Mizzou’s next possession. IUPUI responded again with a pair of tough baskets from center Mikale Rogers.
Mizzou could not chip away at the deficit down the stretch as IUPUI added to its advantage in the fourth quarter. Tiger freshman Jordan Roundtree (St. Louis, Mo.) checked in in the final minutes and scored her second career basket with a strong drive.
IUPUI finished with three scorers in double figures. Junior Danielle Lawrence posted a game-high 24 points.
Mizzou returns to Mizzou Arena on Wednesday to begin a four-game homestand. The Tigers host SIU-Edwardsville on Dec. 7. Tip is set for 7 p.m.
— Mizzou Athletics —
