FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – Mizzou women’s basketball continued its surge in Southeastern Conference play, securing an 87-82 victory over Arkansas on Thursday night at Bud Walton Arena. The win marks the Tigers’ third consecutive SEC triumph, a feat they haven’t accomplished since the 2022-23 season.
The offensive attack was spearheaded by a dynamic duo in junior guards Shannon Dowell and Grace Slaughter, who both surpassed the 20-point threshold. Dowell finished with a game-high 25 points, adding five rebounds and three assists, while Slaughter contributed 24 points, five rebounds, and two assists. Junior guard Abbey Schreacke also made a significant impact, adding 17 points and six boards.
Slaughter ignited the Tigers’ offense early, scoring six of their first nine points. A quick exchange of triples from Schreacke and Dowell tied the game at 12-12 within the opening five minutes. Arkansas responded, briefly taking the lead, but a late push from Mizzou, fueled by a layup from Saniah Tyler and a three-pointer from Jayla Smith, resulted in a 7-0 run and a narrow 19-17 advantage for the Tigers after the first quarter.
The second quarter saw continued back-and-forth action. Dowell connected from beyond the arc early in the frame, putting Mizzou back in the lead. A steal and coast-to-coast layup by Chloe Sotell further tightened the contest, tying the score at 30-30. Tyler added another three-pointer late in the half, and an acrobatic finish in the lane by Dowell capped off an 8-2 run for the Tigers, giving them a 41-38 lead at halftime.
Mizzou came out firing in the third quarter, quickly extending their lead. Smith, Sotell, and Dowell each hit three-pointers on consecutive possessions, initiating an 11-0 run that put the Tigers up by nine. Dowell continued to heat up, adding another triple to further extend Mizzou’s advantage. While Arkansas managed to chip away at the lead, the Tigers maintained a 66-64 lead heading into the final frame.
Schreacke opened the fourth quarter with a three-pointer, adding to Mizzou’s lead. The scoring pace slowed momentarily before Dowell and Slaughter each added crucial baskets, pushing the Tigers’ lead to four with five minutes remaining. A step-through layup by Slaughter with just over a minute left provided a five-point cushion. Mizzou then closed out the game effectively at the free-throw line, securing the 87-82 victory.
The Razorbacks, desperate for their first SEC win, presented a tougher challenge than their previous meeting with the Tigers on January 15th, where Mizzou secured a dominant 94-69 victory. Arkansas shot significantly better from three-point range in the rematch, attempting a season-high 43 three-pointers, connecting on 33 percent of them. Mizzou, however, matched its season-high with 12 made three-pointers on 32 attempts.
This win is particularly significant for Mizzou, who started SEC play with some struggles. The three-game winning streak demonstrates a clear shift in momentum for the Tigers, showcasing their growth and resilience. The absence of senior forward Jordana Reisma due to an undisclosed injury forced the Tigers to rely more heavily on their guard play, with Dowell and Slaughter stepping up to deliver standout performances.
UP NEXT
Mizzou returns home to host Georgia at 3 p.m. On Sunday at Mizzou Arena. The game will be broadcast on SEC Network and the Tiger Radio Network.
