FORT MYERS, Fla. (Interstat) — In a neutral-site contest defined by contrasting offensive philosophies, the Missouri Tigers used a dominant performance in the paint and a double-double from Grace Slaughter to outlast the Bradley Braves 73-66 in a women’s NCAA Division I basketball game on Friday.

Playing at Florida SouthWestern State College, the Tigers improved their season record to 6-2, while the Braves fell to an even 3-3.

The game was a tale of efficiency versus volume. While both teams finished with an identical 73 possessions, Missouri’s superior shooting proved to be the decisive factor. The Tigers connected on 31 of 59 field goal attempts, a 52.5 percent clip, while the Braves struggled from the floor, making just 23 of 66 attempts for a 34.8 percent shooting night. This efficiency gap was the cornerstone of the victory, as Missouri consistently found higher-percentage shots closer to the basket, outscoring Bradley 38-22 in the paint.

Missouri’s Grace Slaughter, a 6-foot-2 sophomore from Grain Valley, Missouri, was the game’s standout performer. She recorded a double-double with a game-high 19 points and a commanding 14 rebounds in 38 minutes of action. Her presence on both ends of the floor provided a steadying force for the Tigers throughout the contest.

She was complemented by a balanced scoring effort from her teammates. Jordana Reisma, a 6-3 forward from Brown Deer, Wisconsin, filled the stat sheet with 13 points, seven rebounds and a team-high five assists. Chloe Sotell of Stamford, Connecticut, added 14 points and four rebounds, while Shannon Dowell from O’Fallon, Illinois, contributed 11 points and seven rebounds off the bench.

Bradley’s offense was spearheaded by the sharp shooting of Kaylen Nelson. The 5-10 guard from Tulsa, Oklahoma, poured in 25 points, a significant portion of which came from beyond the arc where the Braves found success. As a team, Bradley hit 12 three-pointers on 30 attempts, keeping them within striking distance despite their overall shooting struggles. Maya Foz, a 5-9 guard from Mississauga, Canada, provided a vital secondary scoring option with 16 points.

The contest was characterized by its physical, turnover-prone nature. Bradley’s aggressive defense forced Missouri into 19 turnovers, which the Braves converted into 18 points. Conversely, Missouri’s defense was also active, forcing 11 Bradley turnovers leading to 14 points. Bradley also held significant advantages in assists, 12-6, and steals, 12-6, showcasing their disruptive defensive effort. Claire McDougall of Washington, Illinois, was a key part of that effort, pulling down nine rebounds for the Braves.

Despite these defensive stands, Bradley could never fully close the efficiency gap. Missouri’s ability to score inside and capitalize on second-chance opportunities, coupled with a 9-of-23 performance from three-point range themselves, allowed them to maintain control. The Tigers also took better care of the ball in critical moments down the stretch, overcoming their high turnover count with timely baskets.

The game was part of a multi-team event in Fort Myers. Both teams are scheduled to return to the court at the same venue on Saturday, with Bradley facing Abilene Christian and Missouri taking on Northwestern.

The result aligned with pre-game analytics from Interstat, whose ELO system had projected Missouri as a heavy favorite with a 90.6 percent probability to win. The Tigers’ execution, particularly in the painted area, ultimately turned that projection into reality.