University of Missouri
Nebraska
Mizzou Holds on for 67-66 Win
1/17/2009 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
Jan. 17, 2009
COLUMBIA, Mo. - The University of Missouri women's basketball team earned its first Big 12 Conference victory as the team held on for a 67-66 victory over Nebraska on Saturday night at Mizzou Arena. With the win, the Tigers improved to 10-6 overall and 1-2 in Big 12 play while the Huskers fell to 9-6 and 1-2.
Up one point, 67-66, with eight seconds remaining, Missouri thwarted Nebraska's last-second heroics as sophomore RaeShara Brown grabbed a steal with eight seconds on the clock. Senior Alyssa Hollins missed the front end of a one-and-one with four seconds left but the Huskers could not get off a decent shot attempt for the 67-66 Tiger victory.
Junior Jessra Johnson paced the Tigers with 18 points, including 14 in the second half, and nine rebounds. Hollins had 15 points and three steals while sophomore Shakara Jones added 12 points.
The teams played even over the first few minutes until Hollins found Jones for a layup as the Tigers took a 9-5 lead with 16:19 on the clock. Nebraska responded with a 7-0 run and took a 12-9 advantage when Kaitlyn Burke made a jumper at the 14:01 mark.
Down 25-21, Mizzou reeled off nine straight points as Brown, Hollins, Johnson and Jones all scored for a 32-25 Tiger lead with 1:56 left in the frame. Missouri lead 34-29 after redshirt freshman Bekah Mills hit a pair of free throws but the Huskers scored seven unanswered points over the final 1:22 to tie the contest at 34-34 at the half.
The Tigers used an 11-5 run to start the second half to gain a 45-39 lead after Mills hit a three with 15:53 on the clock. The Huskers came back and took a 54-53 advantage at the 8:28 mark when Yvonne Turner connected on a three of her own.
A 12-4 run by Missouri, capped by a layup from Jones, gave the home team a seven-point lead, 65-58, with 4:08 remaining. Nebraska came back strong and outscored the Tigers 8-2 over the final four minutes but committed the costly turnover with eight seconds left in the game.
The Tigers travel to Ames, Iowa, on Wednesday, Jan. 21 for a 7 p.m. contest against No. 20 Iowa State (13-4, 1-2). Missouri then will play host to the Colorado Buffaloes (8-6, 0-2) on Saturday, Jan. 24 at 6:30 p.m. and to the No. 22 Oklahoma State Cowgirls (12-3, 1-1) at 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 28.
