Mizzou WBB vs BYU: WBIT Second Round Preview & Grace Slaughter’s Record Chase

PROVO, UT – The Missouri Tigers women’s basketball team (17-16, 4-12 SEC) will face a challenging test in the second round of the Women’s Basketball Invitation Tournament (WBIT) against the BYU Cougars at the Marriott Center on Monday night at 8 p.m. CST.

Mizzou advanced to the Round of 32 with a decisive victory over Seton Hall on Thursday, marking the program’s first postseason win since 2023, when they defeated Illinois State in the opening round of the Women’s National Invitation Tournament (WNIT). This appearance in the WBIT is a first for the Tigers, representing their 24th overall postseason berth.

Leading the charge for Missouri is junior guard Grace Slaughter, who is enjoying a breakout season. Slaughter delivered a dominant performance against Seton Hall, recording a double-double with 22 points and 10 rebounds. This performance was her eighth double-double of the season and also allowed her to surpass Jordan Frericks on the program’s all-time scoring list, moving into 12th place.

Slaughter is on the cusp of further milestones, needing just eight more points to tie Joni Davis (624 points in 1983-84) and Sophie Cunningham (624 points in 2018-19) for fourth place on the program’s all-time single-season scoring list. Her scoring prowess has been recognized nationally, as she currently ranks 37th in the country and sixth in the SEC with an average of 18.7 points per game. Slaughter has significantly improved her scoring output this season, increasing her average from 15.0 points per game to 18.7, and her rebounding numbers have also seen a jump, from 3.6 to 6.7 boards per game.

Beyond scoring and rebounding, Slaughter is also a significant presence on the court in terms of minutes played, ranking 19th nationally and second in the SEC with an average of 35.99 minutes per game.

Senior forward Jordana Reisma also contributed significantly to Mizzou’s victory over Seton Hall, tallying 17 points and four rebounds in 35 minutes of action.

The Tigers’ success is built on a foundation of efficient shooting, particularly from beyond the arc. Mizzou is currently ranked 37th in the nation and fifth in the SEC in 3-point percentage, connecting on 34.8% of their attempts. They also boast a strong 3-point offense, averaging 8.4 made 3-pointers per game, placing them 29th nationally and fourth in the SEC.

Missouri’s discipline at the free-throw line is another key strength, as they rank 18th in the country and first in the SEC with a 77.7% free-throw percentage.

BYU enters the contest with a 23-11 record, having secured an opening-round victory over Alabama A&M on Thursday. The Cougars are under the guidance of first-year head coach Lee Cummard, who has quickly made an impact, leading the program to a successful season.

BYU’s offense is spearheaded by sophomore guard Delaney Gibb, who averages 17.5 points per game and was recently named to the 2026 All-Big 12 First Team. Gibb earned unanimous selection as the 2025 Big 12 Freshman of the Year, demonstrating her potential as a rising star in the conference.

This matchup marks the seventh meeting between Missouri and BYU, with the Tigers holding a perfect 6-0 record in the series. However, this will be the first contest played in Provo, Utah, adding a latest dimension to the rivalry. The last encounter between the two teams occurred in the first round of the 2016 NCAA Tournament, where Missouri emerged victorious with a 78-69 win, fueled by a 20-point performance from Sophie Cunningham.

Mizzou head coach Kellie Harper has a proven track record of leading teams to postseason success, having guided five different schools to postseason appearances throughout her career.