The Mizzou women’s bench celebrates during its amazing comeback win, Monday night at Mizzou Arena. (Photo: Jackie Ismert)

NCAA Women’s Basketball1234OTFinal
Howard (0-1)22163113688
Mizzou (1-0)15181930991

COLUMBIA, MO — The University of Missouri women’s basketball team opened the 2026-27 season in dramatic fashion on Monday, when it rallied from a 19-point deficit to defeat Howard University, 91-88, in overtime, in both teams’ season opener at Mizzou Arena.

The visiting Bison took the lead midway through the first quarter and pushed its edge to as much as 74-55 early in the fourth quarter, before Missouri went on a 22-4 run to get within a point with 2 1/2 minutes remaining.

Then after a Howard layup ended that spurt, the Tigers outscored the Bison 5-2 in the final two minutes to tie the game. Freshman Natalya Hodge — playing in her first college game — tipped in a missed shot with 36 seconds left to tie the score at 82.

In overtime, Missouri got a free throw and a layup from transfer Nevaeh Caffey to take its first lead since the first quarter. Howard made two baskets, but Caffey added another layup to keep the Tigers ahead.

Another new Tiger, transfer Tanyuel Welch made four free throws in the final six seconds to put Mizzou up three. Howard had one last possession, with a second to go, but couldn’t get a shot off in time, so the clock ran out and Missouri got its first win of the season.

“I could not be more proud of this basketball team for what they just did,” Mizzou head coach Kellie Harper said. “I mean, obviously to be down 19 points going into the fourth, and I think it was 16 with five minutes to go, and they just didn’t have any quit in them.

“We didn’t play perfect by any stretch of the imagination, but man, they just fight and fight and fight. And you almost just saw them will themselves to a win.”

Mizzou freshman Natalya Hodge makes a move with the ball during Monday’s season opener against Howard University. (Photo: Jackie Ismert)

Another transfer, sophomore McKenzie Mathurin, led Mizzou with 29 points. At one point, she was the only Tiger who had scored in double-figures.

Caffey and Welch eventually finished with 17 and 14 points, respectively, while freshman Khloe Ford added 15 points and 15 rebounds in her first college game.

“Khloe was awesome,” Harper said. “She’s exactly what we need. She does not act like a freshman. She does not play like a freshman. She made a few freshman mistakes. But she plays with such composure.

“I mean, she’s calling for the ball and demanding the ball in her first college game, and in an overtime situation. She should have confidence. She’s been consistent in practice. Her teammates love her. They love getting the ball to her. It’s going to be fun to watch her and she’s already made a big impact.”

Mizzou transfer McKenzie Mathurin scored a game-high 29 points in the Tigers’ 19-point come-from-behind win over Howard University on Monday. (Photo: Jackie Ismert)

The Tigers will be back in action on Friday, when they’ll play their first road game in Arkansas against Little Rock. That game is scheduled for tip off at 7 p.m. and will be streamed live on ESPN+.

HOWARD 88

#NameGSMINFG3PTFTORB-DRBREBPFATOBLKSTLPTS
23Zoe Stewart*26:366 – 141 – 11 – 20 – 225200014
11Sa’lah Hemingway*34:125 – 62 – 21 – 20 – 331112213
5Destiny Bynum-Johnson*32:495 – 121 – 72 – 42 – 9111310013
21Rayne Durant*25:102 – 60 – 03 – 54 – 610202117
4Ariella Henigan*16:262 – 70 – 20 – 01 – 12562014
15April Edwards32:194 – 142 – 75 – 60 – 332320115
0Indiah Hutchinson22:524 – 91 – 23 – 40 – 223021212
20Saniya Jones19:074 – 40 – 00 – 13 – 710402218
14Jada Kendrick4:271 – 10 – 00 – 01 – 01200102
12Dally Moreno0:490 – 00 – 00 – 01 – 01001000
7Kearra Jones10:060 – 10 – 00 – 00 – 00103010
6Emma NuQuay0:070 – 00 – 00 – 00 – 00100000
TEAM0:000 – 00 – 00 – 04 – 26002000
Totals225:0033 – 747 – 2115 – 2416 – 35512715187988

MISSOURI 91

#NameGSMINFG3PTFTORB-DRBREBPFATOBLKSTLPTS
25McKenzie Mathurin*40:528 – 214 – 109 – 131 – 454250229
1Nevaeh Caffey*33:317 – 141 – 22 – 41 – 123010317
5Khloe Ford*34:135 – 90 – 05 – 118 – 7154121015
7Tanyuel Welch*33:234 – 100 – 16 – 92 – 354020314
0Grace Slaughter*27:211 – 90 – 15 – 53 – 47133007
2Natalya Hodge25:192 – 70 – 10 – 02 – 46410014
23Abbey Schreacke13:571 – 61 – 50 – 00 – 11011003
15Ellie Muller13:261 – 20 – 00 – 03 – 36203102
21Averi Kroenke2:580 – 00 – 00 – 00 – 00000010
TEAM0:000 – 00 – 00 – 03 – 14001000
Totals225:0029 – 786 – 2027 – 4223 – 28512281821091

2026-27 MISSOURI TIGERS WOMEN’S BASKETBALL SCHEDULE

DateTimeAtOpponentLocationTVResults
November 2, 2026 (Monday)6 pmHomeHowardMizzou ArenaW, 91-88 OT (1-0)
November 6, 2026 (Friday)7 pmAwayLittle RockLittle Rock, AR
November 9, 2026 (Monday)11 amHomeTennessee TechMizzou Arena
November 12, 2026 (Thursday)6:30 pmHomeTennessee-MartinMizzou Arena
November 15, 2026 (Sunday)2 pmHomeLindenwoodMizzou Arena
November 22, 2026 (Sunday)6:30 pmNeutralKansas StateKansas City
November 24, 2026 (Tuesday)5:30 pmHomeSIU-EdwardsvilleMizzou Arena
November 27, 2026 (Friday)11:15 amNeutralTulaneDayton Beach, FLBaller TV
November 28, 2026 (Saturday)12:15 pmNeutralBoise StateDayton Beach, FLBaller TV
December 3, 2026 (Thursday)6 pmAwayFlorida StateTallahassee, FLACC Network
December 6, 2026 (Sunday)2 pmHomeEastern IllinoisMizzou Arena
December 10, 2026 (Thursday)7 pmAwayIllinoisChampaign, IL
December 13, 2026 (Sunday)1 pmHomeSaint LouisMizzou Arena
December 17, 2025 (Thursday)6:30 pmNeutralJacksonville StateMizzou Arena
December 20, 2026 (Sunday)5 pmHomeAustin PeayMizzou Arena
December 31, 2026 (Thursday)3 pmHomeMississippi StateMizzou Arena
January 3, 2027 (Sunday)3 pmAwayOklahomaNorman, OK
January 7, 2027 (Thursday)6:30 pmHomeKentuckyMizzou Arena
January 10, 2027 (Sunday)2 pmAwayTexas A&MCollege Station, TX
January 14, 2027 (Thursday)6 pmAwayOle MissOxford, MS
January 17, 2027 (Sunday)3 pmHomeSouth CarolinaMizzou Arena
January 21, 2027 (Thursday)6:30 pmHomeVanderbiltMizzou Arena
January 28, 2027 (Thursday)7 pmAwayTexasAustin, TX
February 1, 2027 (Monday)6 pmAwayAlabamaTuscaloosa, Ala.
February 4, 2027 (Thursday)6:30 pmHomeFloridaMizzou Arena
February 7, 2027 (Sunday)1 pmHomeLSUMizzou Arena
February 11, 2027 (Thursday)5:30 pmAwayGeorgiaAthens, GA
February 14, 2027 (Saturday)1 pmHomeTennesseeMizzou Arena
February 21, 2027 (Sunday)4 pmHomeArkansasMizzou Arena
February 25, 2027 (Thursday)6:30 pmAwayVanderbiltNashville, TN
February 28, 2027 (Sunday)3 pmAwayAuburnAuburn, AL
March 3-7, 2027TBDNeutralSEC TournamentGreenville, SC