'Doing More Than What's Required': Mizzou WBB Coach Robin Pingeton Praises Team's Character

Missouri Tigers women's basketball head coach Robin Pingeton has often praised her team's unique work ethic and character. Pingeton has specifically highlighted the efforts of her impressive freshman group. The Tigers starting lineup, due to injuries, has included as many as three freshman. True freshman guard Grace Slaughter has started in every game so far this season for Missouri, averaging 11.1 points and 31.4 minutes per game. Due to injuries to graduate forward Angie Ngalakulondi, freshman forward Hannah Linthacum has started eight games for Missouri this season.

The Tigers' veteran leadership this season comes from their only returning starters; graduate forward Hayley Frank, senior guard Mama Dembele and sophomore guard Ashton Judd. Frank and Judd, both Missouri natives, lead the Tigers in scoring, averaging 16.5 and 13.9 points respectively. Dembele is the core player for Missouri's defense, currently sixth in the nation with 3.6 steals per game.

Missouri began conference play with a rigorous three games against No. 10 LSU, Alabama and No. 1 South Carolina. The Tigers lost by 20 or more points to both LSU and South Carolina at home. But they would earn their first conference win of the season in Nashville, winning 65-63 over Vanderbilt. The comeback win put Missouri at 10-7 on the season, placing them at thirteenth in the SEC. This Thursday, Missouri will look to jump a spot in conference rankings when they host the Georgia Bulldogs (10-7, 1-3). Georgia has lost three straight to Arkansas, Alabama and Florida. Missouri's game vs Georgia will be streamed on SEC Network at 7 p.m.