Missouri women's basketball eliminated in first round of SEC Tournament

Tigers' conference title hopes cut short with 48-65 loss to Alabama

Published on Mar. 6, 2026

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The Missouri Tigers women's basketball team's conference title hopes were dashed on Wednesday with a 48-65 loss to the Alabama Crimson Tide in the first round of the Southeastern Conference Tournament. The loss marks the sixth straight season of first-round exits for the Tigers, and the first under head coach Kellie Harper, who has now finished her debut season with the team.

Why it matters

The early tournament exit is a disappointing end to Missouri's season, as the team struggled with poor shooting, turnovers, and rebounding issues that plagued them throughout conference play. The loss raises questions about the direction of the program under Harper's leadership and whether they will receive a postseason invitation.

The details

Missouri didn't go down without a fight, clawing within four points of Alabama by the end of the third quarter. However, struggles from junior guards Grace Slaughter and Shannon Dowell proved too much to overcome, as the Tigers were outscored 24-11 in the final frame. Slaughter, the team's leading scorer, had 11 points on 3-for-11 shooting, while Dowell managed just 3 points on 0-for-0 shooting. Overall, Missouri shot just 29.4% from the field, their second-lowest total of the season. Turnovers also plagued the Tigers, as back-to-back miscues in the fourth quarter allowed Alabama to spark a 9-0 run and pull away. Missouri was also dominated on the glass, getting outrebounded 48-36.

  • The game was played on Wednesday, March 6, 2026 in Greenville, South Carolina.
  • This was the first-round matchup of the 2026 SEC Tournament.

The players

Kellie Harper

The head coach of the Missouri Tigers women's basketball team, in her first season with the program.

Grace Slaughter

A junior guard and the leading scorer for the Missouri Tigers this season.

Shannon Dowell

A junior guard for the Missouri Tigers who had a season-low 3 points in the tournament loss.

Jordana Reisma

A senior forward for the Missouri Tigers who was the team's lone bright spot, scoring a team-high 15 points on 7-for-8 shooting.

Alabama Crimson Tide

The opponent that defeated the Missouri Tigers in the first round of the 2026 SEC Tournament.

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What’s next

The Tigers' season likely ends with the first-round loss, barring a Women's Basketball Invitational Tournament invite. The offseason is next up for the program as they look to regroup under head coach Kellie Harper.

The takeaway

Missouri's early exit from the SEC Tournament highlights the challenges the program has faced this season, including inconsistent play, turnovers, and rebounding woes. The Tigers will need to address these issues in the offseason as they look to build momentum for the future under Coach Harper's leadership.