Cancun, Mexico - An uncharacteristically poor shooting effort left the Wichita State University women's basketball short in a 49-44 defeat to Missouri Thursday afternoon at the Moon Palace Resort.  The Shockers shot 26.2% (16-for-61) from the field.

Jessica Diamond was the lone Shocker to connect on 50% or better of her field goal attempts.  The senior hit 7-of-12 and tallied a game-high 18 points.  Alex Harden led the team with 10 rebounds and five assists.

Neither team could find an offensive groove for while Missouri shot 41.2% they also turned the ball over 22 times.  But the Tigers used a 15-3 run over a six-minute stretch in the second half to build a 17-point lead that proved to be enough to hold off WSU.

The Shockers took an 11-10 lead on a Jazimen Gordon layup with 10:31 to go the first half.  Missouri held WSU scoreless for the next 6 ½ minutes but mustered a mere 5-0 run.  A three-pointer from Sydney Crafton and a layup by Bri Kulas put the Tigers up by seven and that proved to be the halftime difference.

Wichita State gave up two early baskets in the second half before whittling the deficit back to five on a Chynna Turner jumper with 15:36 left.  The Shockers scored just two points over the next 6:50, however and Missouri's lead ballooned to 17. 

Diamond ended the Tiger run with a jumper and a three-pointer.  Kelsey Jacobs brought the Shockers back to within double digits by hitting one-of-two free throws with 3:19 remaining.  Tough rebounding, a turnover-producing defense, and missed Missouri free throws helped WSU stay within striking difference and a Turner three with 1:15 left made it a six-point game. 

Wichita State missed two free throws and a layup in the final minute before bowing out by five. 

The Shockers next face Richmond in the second round of the Triple Crown Cancun Challenge.  The Spiders defeated Minnesota prior to the WSU game by a score of 58-46.  Tipoff is scheduled for 12 p.m. CST.