Bruins Battle Missouri in Season Opener Monday on the Road

COLUMBIA, Mo. – Facing a trio of Southeastern Conference opponents in its first four games of the season, the Belmont University women's basketball team got its 2023-24 campaign underway Monday with an early tip at the University of Missouri. The Bruins (0-1) took the Tigers (1-0) to the brink inside Mizzou Arena in Columbia, Missouri, but were ultimately defeated 72-61 following a strong third quarter by the hosts.
 
Playing from behind for just over 38 minutes of the game, Belmont was unable to pull in front in the second quarter despite drawing within a point three times.
 
The Bruins were limited by 33.3 percent (22-of-66) shooting that included going 5-for-26 (19.2 percent) from distance. Belmont also shot 60 percent (12-of-20) at the foul line.
 
Missouri controlled the paint, outscoring the Bruins 44-28 and earning a 51-40 advantage on the boards. The Tigers outscored Belmont 13-0 on the fast break and tallied 15 points off 16 Bruin turnovers.
 
Belmont was outscored 18-7 off the bench.
 
Making her collegiate debut, freshman guard Jailyn Banks stole the show with 23 points and seven rebounds. Junior forward Tessa Miller also nearly recorded a double-double with 12 points and eight boards.

?? | Postgame with HC @BartABrooks following the Bruins' season opener at Missouri ?? pic.twitter.com/CZpquLjWdc

— Belmont WBasketball (@BelmontWBB) November 6, 2023

A slow start by both teams yielded a 4-4 score at the first media timeout. After being forced to redshirt eight games into the season last year due to injury, redshirt junior guard Tuti Jones began her return with an and-one play to give the Bruins their lone lead of the day at 5-4 five-and-a-half minutes in.
 
Missouri responded with a three-pointer with 4:04 left in the opening quarter and led the rest of the way. At the end of the first quarter, the Tigers had built a six-point lead at 18-12.
 
Back-to-back layups from Miller got Belmont back within a possession before Banks capped an 11-2 Bruin run with a pair of free-throws to make it a single-point affair at 24-23 midway through the second quarter. Two more layups by Miller kept Belmont within a point before Missouri closed the half with a basket.
 
The Bruins outscored the Tigers 15-12 in the second quarter but trailed 30-27 at the break. Both teams shot under 33 percent in the first half. Miller led all scorers at intermission with eight second-quarter points.
 
Behind 60 percent (9-of-15) shooting, Missouri outpaced Belmont 22-14 in the third quarter. The Tigers led by as much as 14 before the Bruins put together a promising run.
 
Trailing 52-38 with 30 seconds to go in the third, Belmont went on a 12-5 run and climbed within seven at 57-50 with 6:55 remaining. Banks accounted for seven consecutive Bruin points before senior guard Blair Schoenwald nailed a corner three to make it a six-point game at 59-53 midway through the fourth quarter.
 
However, Belmont would not be able to get any closer than seven in the final four minutes. Junior forward Kendal Cheesman knocked down a mid-range jumper to make it 63-56 with three minutes left and the Bruins got a defensive stop, but Belmont couldn't convert on the offensive end to draw closer.
 
Missouri shot 50 percent (15-of-30) in the second half and went 11-for-15 at the charity stripe.
 
Junior guard Kilyn McGuff finished with eight points, five rebounds and two steals. Cheesman had a pair of blocks and Jones distributed a team-high four assists.
 
Schoenwald made her first career start.
 
Four different Tigers reached doubles figures led by guard Mama Dembele and forward Hayley Frank's 15 points. Missouri also got 10-point, 10-rebound double-doubles from guards Grace Slaughter and Ashton Judd. Dembele also accounted for a game-best five assists.

???????????? ???????????? in the Show-Me State ????

Georgia ? pic.twitter.com/v08OCjvltJ

— Belmont WBasketball (@BelmontWBB) November 6, 2023

Up Next
The Bruins welcome the University of Georgia to the Curb Event Center Friday night for Belmont's home opener. Tipoff from the Music City is slated for 6:30 p.m. with the primetime matchup broadcast on ESPN+. The Lady Bulldogs are receiving votes in the preseason national coaches poll.
 
Ticket Information
Both single game and season tickets are on sale now. Season tickets are only $199 per seat and include all women's and men's basketball home games.
 
View available seating and purchase your seats.
 
Flex pack plans for the 2023-24 season area also on sale and can be purchased here.
 
For more information, call 615-460-BALL or visit BelmontBruins.com/Tickets.
 
Follow Belmont women's basketball on social media - @BelmontWBB on Twitter, @belmontwbb on Instagram and Belmont Women's Basketball on Facebook - for complete coverage of the Bruins. Stay up to date with all of Belmont's athletic programs via the official app of the Belmont Bruins, available both in the Apple App Store and on Google Play.