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COLUMBIA, MO — Freshman Jordan Chavis showed a lot of promise tonight for the future of Missouri’s team after sinking five three-pointers. Her production off the bench helped her to achieve a career-high and game-high of 17 points, raising the Tigers to a 77-48 victory over Indiana State. The win also secured Missouri with its 26 consecutive non-conference win at home.
Following a tough 79-66 loss to then No. 17 Washington in the Preseason WNIT tournament, the Tigers were back on their home court Tuesday night to take on the Indiana State Sycamores for the first time since 1992.
Missouri came out fast at tip off, dominating in the first period and outscoring the Sycamores 14-0 in the first five minutes of the game and locked down Indiana State with its tough, gritty defense.
“We’re really excited defensively lately, and we try to get all of our energy on the defensive end,” said sophomore Porter. “When we get stops it’s just as exciting for us as when we get and one’s and three-pointers.”
The Lady Sycamores finally tallied its first points after a foul by Cierra Porter that sent Tierra Webb to the line where she sank two free throws with ease. Indiana State didn’t score a field goal, however, until their ninth shot connected with the basket late in the fourth minute of the period.
The Tigers defense smothered the Sycamores in the first quarter as they held them to a mere six points in the first 10 minutes of play. The second period was much better for Indiana State as they were only outscored by one point; however, they were still down by 15 going into the third, 34-19.
New life had been injected into the Sycamores as they looked to redeem themselves in the third shaking up Missouri’s momentum and closing in on the Tigers, making it a 10-point game for nearly four minutes in the period.
“They came out, and they made a run on us, and they outscored us early in the second half, but I really like how our girls responded,” said Missouri coach Robin Pingeton on Indiana State’s second half retaliation. “I think they played really gritty and I thought they did a great job at the free throw line. We bent, but we didn’t’ break.”
That was the closest the Sycamores got to the Tigers, though, as Missouri answered their aggression on offense with 15 points in the remaining five minutes of the period, carrying the Tigers to a 55-33 lead going into the fourth.
A big highlight and promise for Missouri, was the spectacular play from freshman Jordan Chavis who exuberated confidence beyond the arc. Chavis knocked down not one, not two, not three, but four three-pointer’s in just the first five minutes of the fourth.
“I get it [confidence] from my coaches and my teammates for pushing me to tell me to keep shooting even when it’s not falling. It’s a lot of confidence for me…I really appreciate my teammates for trusting me when I have the ball,” said Chavis.
Chavis wasn’t the only freshman who had a solid game, as Hannah Schuchts put up a solid performance with 10 points, six rebounds, and an impressive four blocks.
The Tigers relentless efforts moved Missouri around the Sycamores defense effortlessly for the remainder of the game. The Tigers ended with a solid 77-48 win over Indiana State and an impressive 27-of-28 at the charity stripe.
The Lady Tigers will trade in their winter coats for sunscreen this weekend as they head down to Bimini Islands, Bahamas to take on Creighton Friday for their first game in the Junkanoo Jam.