March 16, 2001
By PAUL NEWBERRY
AP Sports Writer
ATHENS, Ga. (AP) - Missouri won its first NCAA women's tournament game in 15 years, rallying for a 71-68 victory over Wisconsin in the first round of the East Regional on Friday.
Amanda Lassiter, who sat out much of the second half with four fouls, returned to score the go-ahead basket on a slick pump fake and drive with 1:32 remaining. She led the 10th-seeded Tigers (21-9) with 20 points in only 20 minutes.
Wisconsin (18-10), the No. 7 seed, led by as many as 10 in the first half and appeared to be in control after a 13-2 run pushed the Badgers ahead 64-56 with 6:26 remaining. But they failed to score a field goal after Jessie Stomski's basket with 5:07 to go.
Stomski led Wisconsin with 29 points and 11 rebounds.
Wisconsin's final points came with just under four minutes left. Nina Smith hit a pair of free throws for a 68-61 lead.
Missouri scored the final 10 points, including a pair of free throws by Marlena Williams with 30.5 seconds to go. Wisconsin's Tamara Moore made two key mistakes down the stretch, committing an offensive foul and giving up a steal.
The Tigers, making their first NCAA appearance since 1994, won in the tournament for the first time since a 66-65 victory over Arkansas in 1986.
Missouri advanced to play Sunday against the winner of the Georgia-Liberty game.