COLUMBIA, Mo. (Interstat) — The Missouri Tigers, riding high after a tight win over a Power Five opponent, will look to continue their strong start when they host the surging SIU Edwardsville Cougars in a nonconference women’s basketball game Sunday at Mizzou Arena. The Tigers (8-2) edged California 68-67 on Thursday, fueled by a 25-point performance from standout guard Shannon Dowell. The junior has been a consistent force, averaging 19.1 points per game. In her last five contests, she has scored 20 or more points three times, including a 30-point outburst against Southern Illinois on Nov. 18. Missouri’s offense, averaging over 77 points per game, will test an SIUE squad that has shown defensive resilience during its 5-2 start. The Cougars are coming off a dominant 68-28 victory over Calumet Col. on Thursday, holding their opponent to 18% shooting from the field. SIU Edwardsville’s path has been a mix of solid wins and learning experiences. After a season-opening loss at Northwestern, the Cougars strung together four straight victories before a puzzling 30-49 home loss to Northern Illinois on Nov. 21. They have since responded with two consecutive wins. A player to watch for the Cougars is guard Syanne Mohamed, who contributes across the stat sheet. She nearly posted a triple-double in a win over Indiana State on Nov. 19, finishing with 6 points, 9 rebounds, 3 assists and 3 blocks. Her versatility will be key against a deep Missouri lineup. The Tigers have excelled at home, boasting a 6-0 record at Mizzou Arena this season. Their two losses came on the road at Kansas and in a high-scoring affair against Troy. Alongside Dowell, freshman Grace Slaughter has emerged as a reliable scorer, netting 21 points in the win over California. This matchup marks the final tune-up for both teams before significant upcoming stretches. Missouri opens a tough Southeastern Conference slate on Jan. 1 against Texas. SIU Edwardsville begins Ohio Valley Conference play on Jan. 1 against Southern Indiana. Tip-off is set for Sunday afternoon in Columbia.