Missouri
PROVO, Utah (03/22/2026) — The Missouri Tigers ran into a buzzsaw Sunday afternoon at the Marriott Center, as the BYU Cougars unleashed a first-quarter offensive barrage and never looked back, securing a dominant 93-75 victory.
From the opening minutes, BYU established a rhythm that Missouri could not disrupt. The Cougars shot a blistering 51% from the field and an exceptional 41% from beyond the arc, overwhelming the Tigers' defense and controlling the game from wire to wire. The statistical disparity told the story of the contest, as BYU also won the battle on the boards, outrebounding Missouri 47-33 and dishing out 20 assists to the Tigers' 13.
How It Happened
The game was competitive for exactly one possession. After BYU's Delaney Gibb opened the scoring with a three-pointer at the 9:27 mark, Missouri's Grace Slaughter answered with a three of her own just 27 seconds later to tie the game at 3-3. It was the last time the game would be tied.
BYU proceeded to orchestrate one of the most decisive runs of the season. A 21-0 surge, spanning much of the first quarter, turned a tight 12-7 contest into a 33-7 runaway. The Cougars' offense was surgical, with Kambree Barber hitting a pair of deep threes and Gibb adding another to fuel the overwhelming stretch. By the time Sydney Benally hit a pullup jumper to start the second quarter, BYU held a commanding 30-7 lead.
Missouri fought to stay in the game, with Slaughter and Chloe Sotell hitting three-pointers to chip away at the deficit, but BYU had an answer for every push. Gibb and Olivia Hamlin were relentless from deep, and a late three-pointer from Gibb sent the Cougars into halftime with a comfortable 48-27 advantage.
The second half saw BYU maintain its significant lead. Whenever Missouri threatened to build momentum, a timely basket from the Cougars quelled the rally. Hamlin opened the fourth quarter with a three-pointer to extend the lead to 79-48, and Gibb followed with another just moments later, effectively sealing the outcome in front of the 2,415 fans in attendance.
Four Missouri players finished in double figures, led by 17 points apiece from Sotell and Slaughter, but the offensive output was not enough to overcome the early deficit and BYU's superior shooting.
Turning Point
The game was decided in the first quarter. After Missouri’s initial basket tied the score, BYU ignited a game-breaking 21-0 run. The sequence began with a three-pointer from Kambree Barber at the 7:24 mark and spiraled from there. Barber hit another three to make it 21-7, followed by threes from Delaney Gibb and multiple layups that showcased BYU's offensive versatility. The run culminated early in the second quarter when a Gibb three-pointer pushed the score to 33-7. Missouri never recovered from this overwhelming offensive display, which effectively ended the competitive phase of the game before the first period was over.
Star of the Game
BYU guard Delaney Gibb was the undisputed star of the afternoon, delivering a masterful all-around performance. Gibb finished with a game-high 29 points, shooting with incredible efficiency from long range. She complemented her scoring with 8 rebounds and 6 assists, consistently creating opportunities for herself and her teammates. Her offensive pressure was the primary engine behind BYU’s early dominance and a constant problem for the Missouri defense.
Olivia Hamlin was an outstanding secondary scorer for the Cougars, pouring in 23 points. Kambree Barber also recorded a double-double with 12 points and 11 rebounds.
What It Means
For the Missouri Tigers, the road loss exposes defensive vulnerabilities against an elite shooting team. The Tigers struggled to contain BYU's perimeter attack and were significantly outmatched on the glass. Despite a balanced scoring effort with four players in double figures, including 17-point performances from Chloe Sotell and Grace Slaughter, the inability to get defensive stops in the first half created an insurmountable hole.
For the BYU Cougars, the victory is a powerful demonstration of their offensive ceiling. The team's ball movement, which generated 20 assists, and dead-eye shooting from three-point land proved to be an unstoppable combination. The convincing win at home showcases BYU's potential as a formidable opponent capable of dismantling teams with its high-powered offense.