Jan. 15, 2017
NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Vanderbilt and Missouri combined to attempt 52 shots from 3-point range on Sunday afternoon. So it was only fitting that the game’s biggest shot came from long range.
With the Commodores owning a one-point lead with just over a minute to play, Missouri’s Amber Smith knocked down a 3-pointer that gave the Tigers the lead for good in an eventual 74-68 victory over Vanderbilt.
Missouri (12-7, 2-3), which finished 13-of-28 from 3-point range, closed the game on a 13-4 run over the final 2:15 to send the Commodores (10-8, 0-5) to their seventh straight loss.
The game featured 16 ties and 12 lead changes, and the teams were never separated by more than six points after the first quarter.
Sierra Michaelis finished with a game-high 19 points for the Tigers, who snapped a three-game losing streak.
Freshman Kayla Overbeck led the Commodores with 14 points and 10 rebounds. Senior Marqu’es Webb also registered a double-double with 10 points and 10 rebounds for Vanderbilt, which went 10-of-24 from 3-point range in the loss.
The Commodores trailed 61-56 with 4:24 to play in the fourth quarter before putting together an 8-0 run — capped by a pair of free throws by Webb — to take a 64-61 lead with 2:15 to go. But Missouri answered with five quick points, including Smith’s go-ahead 3-pointer with 1:17 to play, to take a 66-64 edge.
On Vanderbilt’s ensuing possession, Rachel Bell’s open 3-pointer spun off the rim, and Smith pulled the defensive rebound. Cierra Porter then made two free throws with 27 seconds remaining to push Missouri’s lead to four, and the Tigers made six straight free throws down the stretch to seal the win.
Both teams shot the ball effectively from long range, as a total of 12 different players accounted for at least one 3-pointer. Missouri’s Jordan Chavis finished 4-for-4 from 3-point range, and Smith was 3-of-4.
Vanderbilt visits Arkansas on Thursday.
