COLUMBIA, Mo. (Mizzou Athletics / SECSports.com) – Mizzou Women’s Basketball extended its winning-streak to four games with a dominant 68-53 win over Auburn at Mizzou Arena on Thursday night. That current winning streak matches Mizzou’s longest in conference play since it joined the SEC.
Sophomore forward Cierra Porter (Columbia, Mo.) was superb for the Tigers, as she poured in a career high 27 points (10-of-14 FG, 7-of-9 FT), including a 13-point fourth quarter explosion that saw her convert four three-point plays down low. Porter also led Mizzou in rebounding, snaring nine rebounds in the contest, one shy of securing her 10th double-double of the season.
Freshman guard Amber Smith (Shreveport, La.) was efficient and productive off the bench, shooting a career best 85.7 percent while posting 13 points, which was her highest scoring output in conference play and the second highest of her young career.
Redshirt senior Lindsey Cunningham (Columbia, Mo.) added 12 points and five rebounds in 29 effective minutes.
The Tigers came out firing in the opening frame, dissecting Auburn’s defense to the tune of 50 percent shooting. Porter was strong in the period, posting six points and grabbing six rebounds. While Porter was grooving offensively, Mizzou’s defense proved stout, holding Auburn to just three field goals on its first eight attempts. The quarter ended with Mizzou up 16-13.
To start the second quarter, Porter continued her effective play, and Smith added a spark off the bench. As Porter drew attention offensively, Smith found creases in the defense, scoring nine points in the quarter while missing just one shot. Mizzou extended its lead to seven at halftime behind Smith’s outburst and Porter’s continued dominance in the low post.
Points were at a premium in the third quarter as Mizzou held Auburn to just nine-percent shooting in the period. The Cunningham sisters shined in the frame, scoring 10 of the Tigers’ 14 points in the quarter. Sophie Cunningham (Columbia, Mo.) had a strong frame, as she ripped down four rebounds and had three points, courtesy of a corner three. Lindsey Cunningham consistently earned trips to the free throw line, where she made all five of her attempts. The Tigers ended the quarter up just 10, leading 47-37 heading to the fourth period.
Porter put an exclamation point on the victory with a dominant fourth quarter, scoring 13 consecutive points for Mizzou. Twelve of her 13 points in the frame came off of three-point plays as she muscled through contact and converted. Porter’s strong sequence allowed Mizzou to build an 18-point lead and coast to a win. With the win, Mizzou moves to 15-7 (5-3) on the season and 11-1 at home.
Mizzou continues its two-game homestand when it hosts Kentucky at Mizzou Arena on Monday. Tip off on SEC Network is set for 6 p.m. CT.
