SOUTHEASTERN CONFERENCE WOMEN'S BASKETBALL TOURNAMENT

March 5, 2025

Robin Pingeton

Ashton Judd

Bon Secours Wellness Arena

Missouri Tigers

Postgame Press Conference

Mississippi State 75, Missouri 55

THE MODERATOR: Coach, if you would start with an opening statement.

ROBIN PINGETON: First, appreciate you being here. Hats off to Sam and his staff. Got beat by a good team tonight. It was a tale of two halves for us. Really just flip-flopped halves. Started off shooting the ball really well. Just couldn't find a rhythm there in the second half. Part of that was they turned up their defensive intensity, for sure.

I think the last week and a half have been emotional in our locker room and our team. The way they continue to respond is something to be really, really proud of.

I want to say congrats to Judd on reaching her thousand-point milestone, which is a great accomplishment. She still has some great basketball ahead of her.

Nights like tonight are tough. Thought we had a really good start to the game, start of the second half. We just couldn't stop the bleeding soon enough.

THE MODERATOR: Questions for Ashton Judd.

Q. Ashton, what are the emotions like playing in a game like this?

ASHTON JUDD: I think the emotions are really high. This could be your last game, period. Even more so knowing this could be our last go-around with the seniors, with Coach P.

We had Senior Night Sunday, whatever day it was. It was already kind of an emotional week. I just feel like we did our best to kind of leave that in the past, come into this game with a fresh mind and all that.

Things are going to happen. It's just how it is, so...

Q. Ashton, with this being Coach Pingeton's last game, what would you say is your favorite memory of playing with her?

ASHTON JUDD: My favorite memory? I don't want to (tearing up).

ROBIN PINGETON: We don't need to share everything. Let's just say congratulations to you on a thousand. That's a big deal.

THE MODERATOR: Ashton, thank you.

ASHTON JUDD: Thank you.

THE MODERATOR: We'll continue with questions for Coach Pingeton.

Q. How impactful is it not just for Ashton to get to a thousand but for her to do it in this game with so much riding on it?

ROBIN PINGETON: Yeah, I just thought she's a competitor. She loves to compete. She's very driven. She's got a great work ethic. She's really disciplined. She's one of the ones that uncommon work ethic. Gets in the gym so much more than what's required, expects a lot of herself.

She's also an upperclassman, a vet, somebody that's been in this league. Although we have four seniors, they don't have SEC experience. This was honestly our four seniors' first go-around in this tournament, which sometimes can be a little bit challenging because of the unknown.

I thought she did a great job of setting the tone for the rest of our team. Great accomplishment and many more baskets to come.

Q. Obviously not the way you wanted your season to end, this being your last game. What would you say is your prevailing emotion right now?

ROBIN PINGETON: My heart's just full of gratitude. I'm surrounded by so many amazing people, so many amazing memories. I feel like 15 years is a long time. It's time to pass that torch. It's time for a new face.

But just so blessed. My staff means everything to me. They've just been phenomenal. Obviously my family. Our current team, our former players. You create so many memories over the years, right? So many amazing memories. I've had so many people reach out. That means the world to me.

I'm so excited for the future of Mizzou's women's basketball. We have an incredible AD, great administration. I'm excited to just empower the next coach and see where they can take us.

THE MODERATOR: Coach, thank you.

ROBIN PINGETON: It's been an honor, thank you.