Northwestern University Athletics
Saturday, November 29
Fort Myers, Fla.
12:30 p.m. CT
Northwestern
6-1,0-0Big Ten
70
vs
85
Missouri
7-2,0-0SEC
1
2
3
4
F
Northwestern
19
17
22
12
70
Missouri
23
19
20
23
85
Photo by: Mary Grace Grabill/Northwestern Athletics
Northwestern Falls To Missouri In Fort Myers Tip-Off Finale, 85-70
11/29/2025 4:57:00 PM | Women's Basketball
Sullivan scores career-high 31 points to lead ‘Cats
FORT MYERS, Fla. (November 29, 2025) – Grace Sullivan poured in a career-high 31 points as Northwestern (6-1) dropped an 85-70 decision to Missouri (7-2) to close out the Elevance Health Women's Fort Myers Tip-Off this afternoon at Suncoast Credit Union Arena in Fort Myers, Fla.
How It Happened
Much like it did just 24 hours earlier, Northwestern looked to start fast, with a Casey Harter three sparking a game-opening 9-3 spurt that was capped by a Tayla Thomas layup. Sullivan put up 12 points in the opening frame, the last two of which came on a jumper to trim the Tigers' lead to 20-19. Shannon Dowell closed the quarter with an old-fashioned three-point play to give Missouri a 23-19 edge.
Sullivan went right back to work in the second quarter, finishing a conventional three-point play of her own to pull the 'Cats within one, 23-22. After seeing Missouri extend its lead to 30-24, Northwestern rattled off seven unanswered, with a Tate Lash layup putting Northwestern back in front, 31-30. The Tigers responded with a 12-2 tear to take a 42-33 lead, before a Caroline Lau three cut the gap to 42-36 at halftime.
Lau dialed in again from distance with two minutes gone in the third quarter, capping off a 9-2 run that lifted Northwestern on top, 45-44. The two teams went on to trade 8-0 runs, as Claire Keswick punctuated the Wildcats' spurt with her first three of the day to give Northwestern a 53-52 edge. Following six straight points from Missouri, Sullivan hit again from mid-range ahead of a Xamiya Walton three that tied the game at 58-58. Grace Slaughter beat the buzzer with a second-chance score to put the Tigers in front, 62-58, heading to the fourth quarter.
Lash drained a three with just over a minute gone in the final frame to pull the 'Cats within one, 62-61. With the gap sitting at 68-63 following two Lau free throws at the 5:00 mark, a Jayla Smith triple ignited a 12-2 Missouri run that saw the Tigers take control en route to victory.
Gallery: (11-29-2025) Women's Basketball vs. Missouri
Inside The Box Score
- Sullivan was dominant on the offensive end, finishing with 31 points (14-23 FGs, 3-4 FTs) to become the first Wildcat since Veronica Burton to surpass the 30-point mark.
- Sullivan also ripped down 13 rebounds to secure her third double-double of the season.
- Lash scored in double figures for the third time in 2025-26, adding 10 points (4-8 FGs, 2-8 3FGs) and a season-high eight assists.
- Lau matched Lash in the assist column, dishing out eight helpers in addition to eight points (2-8 FGs, 2-5 3FGs, 2-2 FTs) and six rebounds.
- Slaughter led all scorers with 33 points (12-21 FGs, 4-6 3FGs, 5-8 FTs), pacing a group of five Tigers in double figures.
Up Next
Northwestern begins a brief two-game homestand on Wednesday, December 3 against Kansas. Tip-off from inside Welsh-Ryan Arena is set for 7 p.m. CT.
How It Happened
Much like it did just 24 hours earlier, Northwestern looked to start fast, with a Casey Harter three sparking a game-opening 9-3 spurt that was capped by a Tayla Thomas layup. Sullivan put up 12 points in the opening frame, the last two of which came on a jumper to trim the Tigers' lead to 20-19. Shannon Dowell closed the quarter with an old-fashioned three-point play to give Missouri a 23-19 edge.
Sullivan went right back to work in the second quarter, finishing a conventional three-point play of her own to pull the 'Cats within one, 23-22. After seeing Missouri extend its lead to 30-24, Northwestern rattled off seven unanswered, with a Tate Lash layup putting Northwestern back in front, 31-30. The Tigers responded with a 12-2 tear to take a 42-33 lead, before a Caroline Lau three cut the gap to 42-36 at halftime.
Lau dialed in again from distance with two minutes gone in the third quarter, capping off a 9-2 run that lifted Northwestern on top, 45-44. The two teams went on to trade 8-0 runs, as Claire Keswick punctuated the Wildcats' spurt with her first three of the day to give Northwestern a 53-52 edge. Following six straight points from Missouri, Sullivan hit again from mid-range ahead of a Xamiya Walton three that tied the game at 58-58. Grace Slaughter beat the buzzer with a second-chance score to put the Tigers in front, 62-58, heading to the fourth quarter.
Lash drained a three with just over a minute gone in the final frame to pull the 'Cats within one, 62-61. With the gap sitting at 68-63 following two Lau free throws at the 5:00 mark, a Jayla Smith triple ignited a 12-2 Missouri run that saw the Tigers take control en route to victory.
Inside The Box Score
- Sullivan was dominant on the offensive end, finishing with 31 points (14-23 FGs, 3-4 FTs) to become the first Wildcat since Veronica Burton to surpass the 30-point mark.
- Sullivan also ripped down 13 rebounds to secure her third double-double of the season.
- Lash scored in double figures for the third time in 2025-26, adding 10 points (4-8 FGs, 2-8 3FGs) and a season-high eight assists.
- Lau matched Lash in the assist column, dishing out eight helpers in addition to eight points (2-8 FGs, 2-5 3FGs, 2-2 FTs) and six rebounds.
- Slaughter led all scorers with 33 points (12-21 FGs, 4-6 3FGs, 5-8 FTs), pacing a group of five Tigers in double figures.
Up Next
Northwestern begins a brief two-game homestand on Wednesday, December 3 against Kansas. Tip-off from inside Welsh-Ryan Arena is set for 7 p.m. CT.
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Team Stats
NU
MO
FG%
.444
.492
3FG%
.333
.500
FT%
.833
.765
RB
32
38
TO
10
8
STL
4
5
Game Leaders
Pts
31
FGM
14
3FGM
0
FTM
3
Pts
9
FGM
3
3FGM
3
FTM
0
Pts
8
FGM
2
3FGM
2
FTM
2
Players Mentioned
G
/ Women's Basketball
G
/ Women's BasketballG
/ Women's BasketballF
/ Women's Basketball
F
/ Women's BasketballG
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