COLUMBIA, Mo. (Interstat) — The Georgia Bulldogs used a dominant second quarter and a balanced scoring attack to pull away from the Missouri Tigers for an 85-66 victory in a Southeastern Conference women’s basketball game Sunday at Mizzou Arena.

The Bulldogs, rebounding from an overtime loss to Tennessee earlier in the week, improved to 19-5 overall. Missouri fell to 16-10.

The most important stretch of the game came in the second period, where Georgia’s defense completely stifled the Tigers. After leading 19-17 after a competitive first quarter, the Bulldogs held Missouri to just 11 points in the second quarter while scoring 22 themselves. That 41-28 halftime advantage provided a cushion Missouri could not overcome, despite a more competitive second half.

Georgia’s offensive efficiency was the story, as the Bulldogs scored 85 points on 79 possessions for an offensive rating of 107.0. Missouri managed only 66 points on 78 possessions, an 84.7 offensive rating. The Bulldogs won despite shooting just 8 of 27 from three-point range, instead dominating inside with a 32-28 advantage in points in the paint and a massive 10-3 edge in offensive rebounds that led to numerous second-chance opportunities.

Rylie Theuerkauf led all scorers with 22 points for Georgia, adding three rebounds and three assists in 38 minutes. Mia Woolfolk provided a major spark off the bench, scoring 16 points and grabbing eight rebounds in just 22 minutes. Dani Carnegie also scored 16 points, while Trinity Turner filled the stat sheet with seven points, nine rebounds and eight assists.

Missouri was led by Shannon Dowell’s 16 points and four rebounds. Lisa Thompson provided a significant lift off the bench with 14 points in only 14 minutes of play. Grace Slaughter added 10 points and eight rebounds for the Tigers.

Georgia seized control early in the second quarter. Leading 21-19, the Bulldogs embarked on a 10-2 run. Woolfolk hit a jump shot, Theuerkauf converted a layup, and after a Missouri free throw, Savannah Henderson and Carnegie hit back-to-back three-pointers to push the lead to 31-21. The Bulldogs’ defense during this stretch forced multiple Missouri turnovers and contested shots, holding the Tigers without a field goal for over four minutes.

Missouri showed fight after halftime, outscoring Georgia 22-21 in the third quarter behind 10 points from Thompson. A three-pointer from Grace Slaughter and a layup from Shannon Dowell cut Georgia’s lead to 57-50 heading into the fourth quarter.

Any hopes of a Missouri comeback were quickly extinguished in the final period. Theuerkauf opened the quarter with a jumper, and after a Missouri free throw, Woolfolk scored inside to push the lead back to 12. Theuerkauf then drilled a three-pointer and, after drawing a foul on a subsequent attempt, made two more free throws to cap a personal 7-0 run that extended the lead to 66-53 with 7:31 remaining. Missouri never got within single digits again.

Georgia’s depth and rebounding proved too much. The Bulldogs’ 10 offensive rebounds led to 15 second-chance points and extended possessions, while Missouri’s 4-for-21 shooting from beyond the arc hampered its ability to mount a sustained rally.

The game drew an attendance of 3,968 to Mizzou Arena. Georgia next travels to face Mississippi State on Thursday. Missouri will visit Tennessee on the same night.