Missouri women gain new threat on both ends of the floor
The Missouri women’s basketball team has earned three blowout victories to start their six-game home stand, and the big leads have meant more minutes for their bench players.
While most of the Tigers have seen a boost in their box scores, sophomore forward Christine Flores has clearly done the most with her playing time.
The combination of weak opponents and the absence of suspended senior forward Jessra Johnson have allowed Flores to show her stuff lately. Since being brought into the starting lineup, she has set a career-high every game.
The first two double-doubles of her career came in back-to-back games, with both numbers rising each time. After posting 16 points and 12 rebounds against Murray State on Dec. 13, she topped it with 19 and 14 against Arkansas-Pine Bluff on Dec. 21.
Flores has become a force on the defensive end as well, with 13 rejections in the past three contests. She now leads the team in blocks and her spots on the scoring and rebounding leader boards continue to rise.
Though ankle injuries and youth have held her back in the past, coach Cindy Stein knows Flores’ potential and enjoys watching her grow.
“I think she’s going to be a great player here,” Stein said. “She can do so many things. She’s going to be big for us.”
The eventual return for Johnson may mean fewer minutes for Flores. But if she keeps producing at this high level, she’s sure to see the floor plenty.