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Mizzou pulls an Upset

By PassThaBall, 01/28/25, 9:45AM PST

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Sophomore guard Grace Slaughter delivered a career-high 31 points, including a buzzer-beating shot, to lift Mizzou women’s basketball to a thrilling 78-77 victory over Mississippi State on Monday night at Mizzou Arena. The win snapped an 18-game SEC losing streak, a drought that stretched over a year.

Trailing by one in the game’s final possession, Slaughter drove left to the baseline, pivoted on her right foot, and floated a shot over a Mississippi State defender. The ball danced on the rim before rattling home as the buzzer sounded. The arena erupted as Slaughter’s teammates swarmed her in celebration of her first collegiate buzzer-beater, a moment of pure elation for the young standout.

Slaughter finished 10-of-21 from the floor, leading the Tigers in scoring for the 11th time this season. She also contributed six rebounds and a steal in the effort. Mizzou shot an impressive 87% (10-13) from the free-throw line and capitalized on 15 points off turnovers, including Slaughter's game-winning basket.

The game featured 20 lead changes and 18 ties, showcasing a fierce back-and-forth battle. Mississippi State’s Jessika Carter dominated with a game-high 40 points, but the Tigers refused to back down. After a crucial steal with eight seconds remaining, Mizzou opted not to use their timeout. Instead, they executed a simple play: get the ball to Slaughter. She confidently brought the ball up the court, backed down her defender, and sank the decisive fadeaway jumper.

Mizzou (12-10, 1-6 SEC) opened strong, thanks to the early efforts of Missouri natives Slaughter and Ashton Judd. The duo combined for 19 of the team’s 22 first-quarter points, shooting 5-of-9 from the field and a perfect 7-of-7 from the free-throw line. Their dominance set the tone for a gritty performance.

By halftime, Mississippi State (16-5, 3-4 SEC) edged ahead 43-41, powered by a stellar 19-point first half from Carter. However, Mizzou stayed within striking distance, with Laniah Randle chipping in seven first-half points.

Momentum swung wildly in the second half. Mississippi State appeared to take control with a nine-point lead midway through the third quarter, but Slaughter ignited a Tiger rally with back-to-back three-pointers, setting a new career high by the end of the period. Angie Ngalakulondi, who had been scoreless through three quarters, contributed four critical points and a momentum-shifting block in the fourth.

The game remained razor-close in the final moments. Mississippi State broke a tie at 73 with a basket from Carter and two free throws from Eniya Russell, extending their lead. But Mizzou’s Abbey Schreacke drained a clutch three-pointer to cut the deficit to one, setting the stage for Slaughter’s heroics.

This win, their first SEC victory since Jan. 18, 2024, over Georgia, marked a turning point for a program that has endured a string of tough losses. The Tigers’ resilience and Slaughter’s star-making performance give Mizzou fans plenty to celebrate as they look ahead to the rest of the season.