Missouri finally found the secondary scorer it desperately needed, and Shannon Dowell delivered in dramatic fashion. Her game-winning layup with just 1.7 seconds remaining capped a 25-point performance, sealing a thrilling 68-67 win over Cal at Mizzou Arena Thursday night.
Fresh off a 33-point performance by Grace Slaughter against Northwestern, Dowell proved she could lead the Tigers in clutch moments. Together, Dowell and Slaughter combined for 46 points, each shooting 50% from the field on over 15 attempts, giving Missouri a dynamic scoring duo that opponents can’t easily contain.
The difference for this Tigers team compared to past seasons? Composure in close games. Down five entering the fourth quarter, Missouri battled back with grit and focus. Coach Kellie Harper credited the team’s growing toughness, telling her players to take it possession by possession, a message they executed perfectly.
“We’re going to win this game, and you’ve got to believe it,” Harper said. “It wasn’t going to happen in one play. It was going to be a grind, and they followed through.”
Dowell’s aggressive play, including five games this season with at least seven free throws, continues to fuel Missouri’s offense. Harper also praised Abbey Schreacke for her positive impact on the floor, even during off shooting nights, highlighting the team’s depth and chemistry.
The victory pushes Missouri to 8-2 heading into SEC play, giving the Tigers a confidence-boosting result against a Cal team that made the NCAA Tournament as an eight-seed last season. With Slaughter and Dowell leading the way, it seems Missouri has finally solved its secondary scoring problem, positioning the Tigers for a strong SEC campaign.
