University of Missouri
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Kansas
Tigers Defeat Jayhawks in Lawrence, Kan.
2/24/2001 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
Feb. 24, 2001
Lawrence, Kansas-Breaking history seems to be the theme for the 2000-2001 Tiger women's basketball season. Mizzou topped the record books with a 69-55 victory over Kansas. The win marks the first time the Tigers have defeated the Jayhawks in Allen Fieldhouse since 1989 and the first time MU has swept KU during regular season play since the 1985-86 season. The triumph brings Missouri to an 18-8 record with a 9-6 conference mark-its most conference victories since 1992-93 (Big 12 and Big Eight Conferences.)
Foreshadowing the 40 minutes to come, Kansas started the game with two turnovers. Missouri quickly took advantage of the folly and began an onslaught, within five minutes the Tigers enforced a 12-4 lead. Both teams battled through two scoreless minutes of play before freshman Wannette Smith grabbed up a steal allowing Evan Unrau an easy layup to break the freeze. The play sparked Missouri for 10 more unanswered points. Kansas wasn't able to break into double figure scoring until 8:05 in the first, posting up identical numbers in turnovers and points with 11.
Missouri continued with another spurt where Unrau and sophomore Kerensa Barr each scored four points to give MU a 20-point advantage. Despite shooting just 38 percent in the half, Missouri left the period with a 37-20 lead.
Reentering the second half, the Tigers continued their rampage. Kansas kept the game competitive scoring in the paint. Despite its efforts, the closest KU came to Mizzou was 10-points when senior Jaclyn Johnson posted eight points within a three-minute span. The Missouri defense played a strong game forcing 24 Jayhawk turnovers in all, including 12 steals.
Four of MU's starters scored in double figures. Senior Amanda Lassiter led the team with 15 points. She also had five rebounds, four assists, two blocks and four steals. Unrau was second with 14 points and had five rebounds. Marlena Williams scored 13 points and Barr had 12 points and six rebounds. Senior Tracy Franklin led Mizzou on the boards with seven rebounds.
