Sophie Cunningham drives against Texas (photo/Mizzou Athletics)

Sophie Cunningham drives against Texas (photo/Mizzou Athletics)

Mizzou (22-10) lost 73-55 at Texas (30-4) Monday night ending their season in the second round of the NCAA Tournament.  Freshman Sophie Cunningham led the Tigers for the second straight game with a game-high 23 points with six rebounds, four assists and two steals. Sierra Michaelis added 11 points and four rebounds.

Cunningham finishes her freshman year by scoring in double figures for the 21st time. Michaelis moved into a tie for eighth in program history with 116 career 3-pointers, equaling Stacy Williams (1990-94).

Texas jumped out to an early lead using a 17-3 run in the first quarter and took a 36-21 lead into halftime while dominating in the paint, outscoring the Tigers 22-0.

“They are just big inside, long-armed. We just weren’t in our motion in the first half,” said Cunningham. “Their big guards, as well, I don’t really know why we weren’t getting inside. But I know they are huge, and even if they would –they would collapse, and since they were so long-armed, it would be hard to get back out.”

The Tigers shot 31 percent (16-for-51) from the field, 29 percent (8-for-28) from 3-point range and 88 percent (15-for-17) from the free throw line. Texas shot 41 percent (30-for-73) from the floor, 42 percent (8-for-19) from beyond the arc and 45 percent (5-for-11) from the foul line.