The Missouri Tigers, ranked #24 in the first Associated Press women’s basketball poll of the season, defeated Abilene Christian on Thursday night, 52-46 in the opening round of the Preseason Women’s WNIT.
Mercer native Sierra Michaelis had 11 points (all in the fourth quarter) for Mizzou, while Linna Doty had 12, and sophomore All-SEC first team selection Sophie Cunningham a team-high 13 points for the Tigers. ACU had a three point lead (36-33) with 8:41 to go, but Missouri scored the next 11 points, and never gave the lead back down the stretch.
Suzzy Dimba led the Wildcats, playing without 2015-2016 Southland Conference Player of the Year Alexis Mason, with 11 points.
The victory sends Missouri to Pinnacle Bank Arena in Lincoln tonight (Monday night) at 7 o’clock to battle former conference rival Nebraska. The Tigers and Cornhuskers last met as conference goes in 2011, when the rivals split their meetings, as each squad won at home. Nebraska owns a 41-30 all-time edge over Mizzou in the school’s series history.