@MizzouWBB Heads to Florida for Next SEC Tilt

Sunday, January 13

Gainesville, Fla.

2:00 P.M. CT

University of Missouri

Florida

Green Bay Phoenix vs. Mizzou Tigers at Mizzou Arena in Columbia, Mo. on Friday, Nov. 16, 2018. Cassie Florido/Mizzou Athletics

1/12/2019 2:48:00 PM | Women's Basketball

Mizzou and Florida to Tip at 2 p.m. CT Sunday on SEC Network

Mizzou at Florida
OPPONENT	LOCATION	DAY	TIME (CT)	LIVE STREAM	LISTEN	STATS	GAME NOTES
Florida	Gainesville, Fla.	Sunday, Jan. 13	2 p.m.	SECN	KTGR	Stats	Notes

THE MATCHUP

Mizzou Women's Basketball hits the road again to face Florida (4-12, 0-3 SEC) in Gainesville, Fla., on Sunday, Jan. 13. Tipoff is slated for 2 p.m. CT on SEC Network. Mizzou enters the contest on a six-game winning streak, its second winning streak of five or more games this season. Mizzou has never lost to Florida, as it holds a 7-0 advantage in the all-time series, with all seven matchups coming since Mizzou joined the SEC. In the last meeting, Mizzou pulled out a 66-64 result over Florida at Mizzou Arena on Feb. 5, 2018.

BEST CONFERENCE STARTS IN PROGRAM HISTORY

Three games into this season's SEC campaign, Mizzou is one of three teams to start 3-0, joining Mississippi State and South Carolina. The 3-0 start is Mizzou's best start to SEC play since joining the conference in 2012-13, and matches the best start in program history. Five other Mizzou teams have started 3-0 in conference play, as this year's team is joined by 1979-80, 1983-84, 1986-87, 1988-89 and 2005-06 teams. A win would be Mizzou's first ever 4-0 conference start in program history.

1-2 PUNCH

Mizzou has been led all season by the dynamic duo of senior guard Sophie Cunningham and junior guard Amber Smith. Cunningham leads the team in scoring with 15.7 points per game, while Smith leads the team in rebounding at 7.9 rebounds per game. Cunningham and Smith are one of just two teammate duos to rank in the top-20 of the SEC in both scoring and rebounding, as Cunningham's 15.7 PPG ranks 11th and her 5.9 RPG ranks 18th, while Smith's 14.1 PPG ranks 15th and her 7.9 RPG ranks ninth. The only other pair of teammates in the SEC to rank in the top-20 of both categories is Mississippi State's Teaira McCowan and Anriel Howard. Cunningham has began to heat up lately, as she averaging 17.2 points per game in her last nine games which includes six games with 18+ points. Smith has carried much of the rebounding load for Mizzou, as she leads the team in rebounds with 135, 7.9 per game. Smith been a double-double machine in her junior campaign, as she has recorded seven double-doubles in 17 games this season, a mark which ranks third in the SEC and 25th in the NCAA.

A HISTORIC WIN

Mizzou recorded its first ever regular season road win over a top-10 ranked opponent on Jan. 6, as the Tigers beat the then-No. 10-ranked Tennessee Volunteers, 66-64. The Tigers were led by 20 points from senior guard Sophie Cunningham and 16 points off the bench from redshirt freshman guard Haley Troup.
After coming up unsuccessful in its previous four trips to the Summitt, the victory was Mizzou's first ever at Thompson-Boling Arena in Knoxville. The loss was only the 40th loss ever suffered by the Lady Vols in Thompson-Boling Arena, which opened in 1987-88.
The win was also Mizzou's first ever road win over a top-10 ranked opponent in the regular season, and its first overall since beating No. 4 Georgia, 78-65, in the second round of the NCAA Tournament on March 18, 2001.

HOT SHOOTING

In Mizzou's SEC-opening win over Ole Miss on Jan. 3, the Tigers recorded its best shooting night from the field in over 30 years. MIzzou shot a blistering 65.9 percent (27-for-41) from the field and 60 percent (9-for-15) from the three-point arc in a 78-55 win over the Rebels.
Junior guard Amber Smith paced the Tigers in the victory, as she scored 18 points on 8-for-10 shooting from the field and 2-for-2 shooting from three. Three Tigers recorded perfect shooting nights from the field, led by senior guard Sophie Cunningham, who was 4-for-4 from the field and 3-for-3 from the three-point range. Freshman forward Grace Berg shot 3-for-3 from the field in the game, while senior forward Cierra Porter was 2-for-2.
Mizzou's shooting performance from the field was its highest field goal percentage recorded since shooting 66.7 percent from the field (44-for-66) against North Texas on Dec. 11, 1987. It also marked the highest field goal percentage mark in league play since Mizzou shot 66.7 percent from the field (34-for-51) against Kansas State on Feb. 5, 1985.
The Tigers 60 percent success rate from deep (9-for-15) was its best shooting night from three since shooting 61.5 percent (8-for-13) against South Carolina on Jan. 7, 2018.
Since the 1977-78 season (41 seasons), Mizzou has shot better than 60 percent from the field just 23 times, with four occurrences (17.4 percent) happening under head coach Robin Pingeton.

Mizzou Shooting Better Than 60% From the Field (since 1977-78)
Date	Opponent	FGM	FGA	Pct.
1/22/183	Oklahoma	50	69	.725
3/9/1984	Oklahoma State	43	64	.672
12/11/1987	North Texas	44	66	.667
2/5/1985	Kansas State	34	51	.667
2/1/1984	Colorado	47	71	.662
1/3/2019	Ole Miss	27	41	.659
12/30/1997	Arkansas	29	45	.644
2/7/1987	Oklahoma	36	56	.643
12/8/2014	Bradley	47	74	.635
12/2/1996	SE Missouri	40	64	.625
12/29/1995	UCF	38	61	.623
3/9/1985	Oklahoma	33	53	.623
2/25/1989	Oklahoma	41	66	.621
2/15/1992	Kansas State	36	58	.621
1/5/1984	Florida State	34	55	.618
1/14/1984	Creighton	40	65	.615
1/12/2017	LSU	27	44	.614
2/17/1990	Oklahoma State	28	46	.609
2/16/1985	Oklahoma	31	51	.608
3/5/1985	Colorado	32	53	.604
1/3/1984	Indiana	32	53	.604
2/16/1988	Iowa State	38	63	.603
2/23/2017	Ole Miss	30	50	.600

CUNNINGHAM HEATING UP

Mizzou's leading scorer for each of the last three seasons - senior guard Sophie Cunningham - has enjoyed a hot stretch over her last nine games, as she is averaging 17.2 points per game with six games of 18+ points.
Getting to the free throw line has been key in Cunningham's recent scoring burst, as she has shot 87.5 percent (42-for-48) from the charity stripe in Mizzou's last eight games, including a 16-for-18 performance against Arkansas (Dec. 30). Cunningham's 16 made free throws were the second-most ever by a Tiger, and the most since Kerensa Barr set the school record of 17 against Colorado on Jan. 24, 1987.
With 20 points, Cunningham recorded her sixth 20-point game of the season, and the 39th of her career against the Lady Volunteers on Jan. 6. The Tiger senior also recorded six rebounds and six assists in the game and was 5-for-6 from the free throw line in the game.
Cunningham scored a team-high 24 points in Mizzou's win over UMKC (Dec. 6), and was a perfect 6-for-6 from the charity stripe.
Cunningham recorded her 10th career double-double against South Dakota (Dec. 15), as she scored 19 points and grabbed 11 rebounds.
The Tiger senior recorded her 37th and 38th 20-point games against Texas State (Dec. 17) and Arkansas State (Dec. 30) as she scored 20 points in both games.
Cunningham also recorded six assists against Tennessee, marking her ninth career game of 20+ points and 5+ assists, the most by a Tiger since the 2000-01 season.

20+ Points, 5+ Assists from Cunningham
Date	Opponent	Pts.	Asts.
11/13/15	at Missouri State	23	5
12/2/16	Missouri State	22	6
2/19/17	South Carolina	26	5
12/22/17	Illinois	27	5
1/7/18	South Carolina	27	7
2/8/18	Kentucky	29	5
2/18/18	Tennessee	32	5
12/30/18	Arkansas State	20	5
1/6/18	at Tennessee	20	6

ROAD WARRIORS

Mizzou has played especially well on the road this season as the Tigers are a perfect 5-0 away from Mizzou Arena this season. Mizzou has outscored its road foes by 15.6 points per game in its five victories, 72.8-57.2.
Mizzou is shooting a solid 46.0 percent from the field and 36.6 percent from beyond the three-point arc on the road this season, and is outrebounding its opponents, 39.4-32.4.
Mizzou had one of its best wins in program history on Jan. 6, as the Tigers defeated the No. 10 Tennessee Volunteers, 66-64 for its first ever win in Knoxville. Mizzou shot at an impressive clip, as the Tigers 44.9 percent from the field (22-for-49) and 45.5 percent from three (10-for-22). The Tigers' mark from deep was the third-best of the season, as the Tigers buried 10 triples.
Mizzou opened the season with an 89-64 win over Western Illinois on Nov. 6 as senior guard Sophie Cunningham led the way for the Tigers with 31 points.
Junior guard Amber Smith led Mizzou to a 68-51 win over West Virginia on Dec. 2, as the Tiger junior recorded career highs in points (28) and rebounds (13). Mizzou was able to hold the Mountaineers to 34.8 points below its season average in the victory.
Mizzou also recorded road victories over Saint Louis, 74-62, on Dec. 9, and Illinois, 67-45, on Dec. 21. The 45 points Mizzou gave up to Illinois was the second-lowest point total of the season, trailing only the 36 points given up to SIUE on Nov. 19.

DOUBLE-DOUBLE MACHINE

Junior guard Amber Smith has become a double-double machine this season, as she has turned in seven double-doubles in 17 games after only recording two in her freshman and sophomore seasons combined. Smith's seven double-doubles is tied for the third-most by a Tiger through 17 games in the last 20 seasons, trailing only Evan Unrau (9 in 2003-04) and Cierra Porter (8 in 2016-17) and matching Evan Unrau (7 in 2002-03). Among conference and national ranks, Smith's seven double-doubles rank tied-for-second in the SEC and tied-for-25th in the NCAA.
On the season, Smith is averaging 14.1 points per game and leads the team in rebounds per game (7.9) and blocks (21). Smith's rebounds per game ranks ninth in the SEC, while her points per game ranks 15th.
Smith posted her seventh double-double of the season against Arkansas (Jan. 10), as she scored 15 points and grabbed 12 rebounds.
Smith had her third consecutive double-double and sixth of the season in Mizzou's 72-64 road win over Saint Louis on Dec. 9. The Tiger junior scored 15 points and matched a career-high with 13 rebounds.
The Tiger junior posted her fifth double-double of the season and her third in four games in a 66-59 win over UMKC on Dec. 6. Smith had 19 points and 8-for-15 shooting from the field while corraling 10 rebounds.
Smith posted career highs in points (28) and rebounds (13) in Mizzou's road win over West Virginia (Dec. 2). The 28-point performance was Smith's fifth 20-point game of her career, as she shot 10-for-15 from the field, 4-for-6 from three and 4-for-5 from the free throw line.
The Tiger junior had 17 points and 10 rebounds for her fifth career double-double in a win over Quinnipiac (Nov. 24). Smith scored 11 of her 17 points in the second half.
Smith posted her fourth career game 20-point game and fourth career double-double with 23 points and 10 rebounds against Green Bay (11/16). Smith was successful on a career-high 8-of-10 trips to the free throw line in the game.
Smith led Mizzou on the glass in Mizzou's season-opening win over Western Illinois (11/6), snagging 12 rebounds while scoring 14 points to record her third career double-double.
Through 17 games, Smith has also recorded 21 blocks, including a career-high five in Mizzou's win against Arkansas State (Dec. 30). Smith recorded eight blocks as a freshman in 2016-17 and 25 as a sophomore in 2017-18. Smith's 54 career blocks ranks tied-for-first among all Mizzou players, and ranks ninth in the SEC among active leaders.

LETHAL FROM THREE

Mizzou has been lethal from beyond the three-point arc this season, as the Tigers have made seven or more three-pointers in 11 of 17 contests. As a team, Mizzou ranks third in the SEC in three-pointers made per game, as the Tigers average 7.8 threes per game (133 total).
Mizzou drained 10 threes in its win over No. 10 Tennessee on Jan. 6, as the Tigers shot 45.5 percent from three (10-for-22). The Tigers' mark from deep was the third-best of the season, as redshirt freshman guard Haley Troup drained four threes, while senior guard Sophie Cunningham and redshirt senior guard Lauren Aldridge each drained three.
The Tigers drained 12 triples and shot 33.3 percent (12-for-36) from beyond the arc against South Dakota (Dec. 15). Cunningham and Aldridge led the way with four and three, respectively.
Mizzou sank 11 threes and shot 39.3 percent from deep in a 68-51 road win over West Virginia (Dec. 2). Junior guard Amber Smith led the way with four triples, while Troup and junior guard Jordan Chavis each drained three.
Mizzou's three-point shooting led the Tigers to its win over Duke (Nov. 25) in the consolation finals of the Gulf Coast Showcase, as Mizzou made a season-high 16 three-pointers. Mizzou's 16 triples were the most made in a game as a team since Dec. 20, 2015 when Mizzou also made 16 against Lamar. Five Tigers made threes against Duke, led by junior forward Hannah Schuchts with six.
Five Tigers are shooting better than 30 percent from deep on the season, led by Aldridge at 42.9 percent (31-for-72). Following close behind is Cunningham at 37.6 percent (32-for-85), Schuchts at 34.2 percent (13-for-38), Troup at 34.1 percent (15-for-44) and Smith at 33.3 percent (18-for-54).

STIFLING DEFENSE

A trademark of head coach Robin Pingeton-led team's, Mizzou has been suffocating on the defensive end this season, as it has held its opponents to 53.9 points in its 14 victories. Mizzou has held its opponents to 65 points or less in 15 of 17 games this season.
Mizzou ranks second in the SEC in field goal percentage defense at 35.4 percent, and fourth in scoring defense at 56.2 points per game. The Tigers have forced 10 or more turnovers in 12 of 17 games this season, and have held their opponents to less than 40 percent from the field in 13 games.
The Tigers held Illinois to 45 points on Dec. 21, the second-lowest point total Mizzou has allowed this season. Mizzou was able to keep the Illini to a smouldering 14.3 percent shooting from the three-point line (2-for-14).
Mizzou recorded a season-high 11 steals in a 69-50 victory over Texas State on Dec. 17. Senior guard Sophie Cunningham and junior guard Jordan Roundtree led the way with three steals each, while the Tigers held the Bobcats to 37.3 percent shooting from the field and 19.2 percent shooting from three.
In Mizzou's 68-51 road win over No. 21 West Virginia, Mizzou's defense held the Mountaineers to 34.8 points below its season average as the Mountaineers scored 51 points on Sunday. West Virginia entered the game averaging 85.8 points. The Tigers were also able to hold West Virginia to season lows in field goal percentage (27.9 percent), three-point percentage (27.8 percent), field goals (17) and three-pointers (five). Junior guard Amber Smith, redshirt junior forward Hannah Schuchts and redshirt freshman guard Haley Troup all set career highs in rebounds with 13, nine and six, respectively, as Mizzou outrebounded West Virginia, 42-34. Smith also contributed a team-high three blocks in the game.
Mizzou held SIUE to 36 points on Nov. 19, the lowest point total Mizzou has given up since allowing 35 points to Nebraska on Nov. 14, 2016. The Tigers held the Cougars to 27.8 percent shooting from the field (15-for-54), the lowest field goal percentage Mizzou has allowed since last season when SIUE shot 25.8 percent (16-for-52) on Dec. 10, 2017.
Freshman forward Grace Berg recorded a team-high four steals against SIUE, becoming the first freshman to record four steals in a game since Jordan Chavis did so against Indiana State on Nov. 22, 2016. As a team, Mizzou recorded nine steals in the game, the most since having nine steals against Indiana (Dec. 17, 2017).
Mizzou held Qunnipiac (Nov. 24) to a season-low 21.4 percent shooting from the field as the Bobcats were only successful on 15-for-70 shooting from the field.

IN PURSUIT OF WIN NO. 500

Mizzou Head Coach Robin Pingeton will be chasing down a major coaching milestone this season, as she currently stands five wins away from 500 career victories (496-268, .650). Earlier this season, Pingeton registered win No. 150 as Mizzou's head coach in a 59-36 win over SIU Edwardsville on Nov. 19. In her ninth season, Pingeton ranks second in winning percentage (.590) in program history, trailing only coach Mizzou Hall of Famer Joann Rutherford (.617, 422-262). Among active coaches, Pingeton's 496 career wins ranks second in the Southeastern Conference behind only Texas A&M's Gary Blair (773 wins) and 32nd overall among D-I head coaches. After an outstanding 2017-18 season, Pingeton was a top-10 finalist for both the Naismith National Coach of the Year Award and the WBCA National Coach of the Year Award.
In 2017-18, Pingeton led Mizzou to the NCAA Tournament for the third straight season for the first time since 1984-86. Mizzou earned a No. 5-seed in the NCAA Tournament, its highest seed in a 64-team tournament in program history and its highest seed overall since grabbing a 4-seed in the 32 team 1984 NCAA Tournament.
Pingeton steered Mizzou to 24 wins for the first time since 1983-84. That marked the fifth-most wins in a campaign in program history. The Tigers now have at least 22 wins in three straight seasons for the first time since 1982-85.
With Pingeton at the helm, Mizzou is one of just 15 Power 5 programs with at least 22 wins and an NCAA Tournament appearance in each of the last three seasons.