COLUMBIA, Mo. (Interstat) — Two teams riding strong early-season records will meet Thursday when the Missouri Tigers host the California Golden Bears in a nonconference women’s basketball game at Mizzou Arena. The Tigers (7-2) enter with momentum after an 85-70 home victory over Northwestern on Saturday. Grace Slaughter led the way with 33 points, nine rebounds and five assists. Shannon Dowell added a double-double with 12 points and 13 rebounds. The Golden Bears (6-2) look to rebound from a 58-50 home loss to Auburn on Nov. 26, a game where their offense stalled. Lulu Twidale scored 18 points in the defeat. Prior to that, California had won five straight games. Missouri holds a slight edge in the series, 4-3, but the programs have not met since 2012. The Tigers’ two losses this season came against Troy and in a close game at Kansas. California’s other loss was at Vanderbilt to open the season. Following this matchup, Missouri will host SIU Edwardsville on Sunday. California returns home to face San Jose State the same day.