RELATED LINKSBox scorePhoto galleryBox score (.pdf)
SAN ANTONIO — Missouri closed the first half on a 13-0 run to erase a three-point deficit and the Tigers defeated UTSA, 70-50, in Friday's season opener for both squads.
Freshmen Mannasha Bell and Kamra King paced the Roadrunners with 10 points apiece.
Meanwhile, Liene Priede led three Mizzou players in double figures with a game-high 18 points on 7-of-12 shooting from the floor, including 4-of-6 from the 3-point line.
King’s steal and fastbreak layup gave UTSA a 20-16 lead with seven minutes to play in the half. However, it did not last very long and the Tigers knotted the score after a free throw from Flores and a 3-pointer by Morgan Eye less than two minutes later to start the run.
Priede capped the spurt with a trey and Missouri took a 29-20 advantage into intermission.
A King free throw put an end to a 7:47 scoreless stretch and briefly halted the Missouri attack.
The Tigers’ lead grew to 24 with nine minutes to play on another Priede connection from beyond the arc, which capped a 10-0 run.
King responded with a 3-pointer of her own and, minutes later, fellow freshman Ashley Spaletta’s trey cut the deficit to 16.
However, the Roadrunners did not get closer and suffered their first home-opening defeat in six years (63-41 vs. Tulsa).
Both squads scored 22 points in the paint and UTSA recorded 11 steals to help force 16 Missouri tournovers.
The Roadrunners will look to bounce back on Monday, Nov. 14, when they travel to TCU (0-1). Tip-off is slated for 6 p.m.