University of Missouri
Tennessee Martin
Mizzou Cruises Past UT Martin, 74-23
12/14/2008 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
Dec. 14, 2008
COLUMBIA, Mo. - The University of Missouri women's basketball team allowed the second fewest points in its 36 year history to record a 74-23 win over UT Martin Sunday afternoon at Mizzou Arena. The 23 points by the Skyhawks was just two off Mizzou's fewest points allowed record posted in a 119-21 victory over Bethany on Jan. 3, 1977.
The win, Missouri's fourth consecutive, gives the Tigers a 5-4 record while the Skyhawks fall to 1-7.
Redshirt freshman Bekah Mills and freshman Bailey Gee led the Tigers with 13 points apiece. The point total was a career high for Gee while Mills also added a personal best six steals. Senior Alyssa Hollins added 11 points and junior Jessra Johnson handed out a career high eight assists.
Mizzou also recorded a season high 22 steals, the third consecutive game the team set the season high in that category. The team also scored 37 points off turnovers.
Hollins drilled two three-pointers to open the game as the Tigers ran off 11 straight points less than four minutes into the contest. The squad's defense forced UT Martin into seven turnovers in the first six minutes of the contest as Mizzou built a 16-2 advantage.
Missouri continued to build its lead and a steal and layup from sophomore RaeShara Brown gave the team a 23-point lead, 29-6, with 6:39 left in the first frame. The Tigers entered the break with a 42-13 advantage, as the 13 points were the fewest Mizzou has surrendered in a half this year.
A 20-2 run to open the second half, including consecutive threes from Mills, Hollins and Mills again for a 62-15 Tiger lead with 9:54 remaining in the game.
The Tigers have a week off before traveling to Fayetteville, Ark., for a matchup with Southeastern Conference foe Arkansas at 2 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 21.
