Patient Tigers strike late: Mizzou women's basketball surges past Seton Hall in WBIT
Mizzou women's basketball waited, absorbed and then delivered the decisive blow.
The fourth-seeded Tigers used a dominant fourth quarter to pull away from Seton Hall for a 67-57 win Thursday night at Walsh Gymnasium in South Orange, New Jersey, in the opening round of the Women's Basketball Invitation Tournament.
Missouri (17-16) advanced to the second round behind a patient, methodical approach that flipped the game late after three tightly contested quarters.
The Tigers trailed 29-27 at halftime and found themselves locked in a back-and-forth battle throughout the third quarter, which ended tied at 52. But Missouri's defensive discipline and composure ultimately wore down the Pirates.
Seton Hall (19-13) managed just five points in the fourth quarter, shooting 2-for-22 from the field in the final period and 21-for-74 overall.
Missouri's game plan was evident from the opening tip.
Rather than match Seton Hall's typical physical, inside-oriented style, the Tigers slowed the pace and forced the Pirates to operate outside their comfort zone. Seton Hall attempted 43 3-pointers, the most it has taken in a game this season, and converted just nine.
By the fourth quarter, those misses added up.
Missouri capitalized by increasing the tempo, pushing in transition and finally playing its preferred style after spending much of the game grinding at Seton Hall's pace. The Tigers outscored the Pirates 15-5 in the final period to seal the win.
Second team All-SEC selection Grace Slaughter led Missouri with 22 points and 10 rebounds, recording a double-double while shooting 7-for-14 from the field and 3-for-6 from beyond the arc.
Forward Jordana Reisma added 17 points on an efficient 8-for-12 shooting night, while guard Shannon Dowell contributed nine points, eight rebounds and five assists.
Missouri shot 48.1% from the field in the first half and improved its efficiency as the game progressed, shooting 54% in the second half.
Seton Hall was led by Mariana Valenzuela's 17 points and 10 rebounds, while Ja'Kahla Craft added 15 points. Savannah Catalon, the Pirates' leading scorer entering the game, was held to just six points on 2-for-9 shooting.
Missouri's defensive execution was particularly evident against Jordana Codio, who finished 2-for-17 from the field and missed all seven of her 3-point attempts.
The Tigers also controlled key areas despite the unconventional flow of the game. Missouri was outrebounded by Seton Hall 43-41, yet it dominated in the paint with a 34-22 scoring advantage on the inside.
The win came on the road for Missouri, which was designated to the lower seed despite being a No. 4 seed due to scheduling conflicts at Mizzou Arena caused by the MSHSAA basketball championships.
It also highlighted a different reality for the Tigers outside Southeastern Conference play. After spending the season facing some of the nation's top teams, Missouri found itself against a more comparable opponent and looked comfortable executing a game plan over 40 minutes.
The result reflected both preparation and adaptability.
Missouri showed the ability to win in multiple ways, matching Seton Hall's slower, physical style early before dictating the pace late. The Tigers' patience resembled a heavyweight fighter waiting for an opening. And when it came, they delivered the knockout.
With the victory, Missouri advances to the second round of the WBIT on Sunday. The Tigers will face top-seeded BYU, which advanced past Alabama A&M. Missouri will travel to Provo, Utah, for that game.
For a team navigating its first season under coach Kellie Harper, Thursday's performance offered a glimpse of what Missouri can be when execution, discipline and timing align.
Copyright 2026 Columbia Missourian
This story was originally published March 19, 2026 at 10:32 PM with the headline "Patient Tigers strike late: Mizzou women's basketball surges past Seton Hall in WBIT."