Mizzou WBB (11-5, 0-1 SEC) competed early on with No. 2 South Carolina (13-1, 1-0 SEC), but faltered in the second half as the talent discrepancy showed.
South Carolina ended the first quarter ahead 21-13 after a 13-5 run to end the quarter. Gamecocks forward Ashlyn Watkins proved to be the difference early on, with six first quarters points after going 4-4 from the free throw line.
But Mizzou would not be deterred, closing the gap to two points after a 10-4 run of its own. Grace Slaughter added four points of her own during the run while leading the team with eight first-half points.