University of Missouri
Nebraska
Huskers Thwart Tigers, 65-52
2/21/2009 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
Feb. 21, 2009
LINCOLN, Neb. - Junior Jessra Johnson recorded her third double-double of the year with 23 points and 11 rebounds but the University of Missouri women's basketball team suffered a 65-52 loss to Nebraska on Saturday night in Lincoln, Neb. The loss drops Mizzou's record to 12-13 overall and 3-9 in Big 12 Conference play.
Sophomore Shakara Jones and senior Alyssa Hollins joined Johnson in double figures with 11 and 10 points, respectively. The Tigers committed a season low eight turnovers in the contest.
Mizzou ran off to a 10-2 advantage 4:08 into the contest after Hollins and Johnson hit back-to-back three-pointers. The Huskers to within three, 12-9, but the Tigers used a mini 8-2 run, capped when Jones converted a three-point play with 11:38 on the clock.
Nebraska caught fire and threes from Dominique Kelley and Yvonne Turner on consecutive possessions cut Missouri's lead to one, 22-21, with 4:32 remaining in the first half. After Johnson nailed a three, Nebraska scored the final seven points of the half to take a 28-25 advantage into the break.
A layup and ensuing foul shot and trey from Johnson put the Tigers back on top one, 31-30, with 17:51 on the clock. Another basket by Johnson gave Mizzou a three-point lead, 33-30, at the 17:13 mark but the Huskers reeled off a 19-6 run over the next seven minutes to build a 10-point advantage, 49-39.
Mizzou got back within seven, 54-47, when Hollins made a jumper with 4:44 left in the game but the home team scored the next four points to regain a double-digit advantage and held on for the 65-52 victory.
The Tigers return home on Tuesday, Feb. 24 to face the Texas Longhorns at 6:30 p.m. in the NCAA's Take a Kid to the Game promotion. All youth will receive free admission with the purchase of an adult ticket. Missouri then travels to Boulder, Colo., for a 5 p.m. (CT) contest against Colorado on Saturday, Feb. 28, in a game that will be televised live on FSN-Rocky Mountain.
