Jan. 14, 2002

COLUMBIA, Mo. - The University of Missouri women's basketball team continues play in the Big 12 Conference this week.

*Tuesday, MU (11-3, 2-1 Big 12) vs. Nebraska (11-6, 1-3 Big 12) *7 p.m., Hearnes Center, Columbia, Mo.

*Saturday, MU (11-3, 2-1 Big 12) vs. No. 11/13 Baylor (13-2, 1-2 Big 12) *7 p.m., Hearnes Center, Columbia, Mo.

The Foes: Nebraska, which has lost three of its last four games, is led by Keasha Cannon, the league's preseason Newcomer of the Year. Cannon leads the team in scoring (11.9 ppg), rebounds (7.7 rpg), assists (5.1 apg) and steals (2.3 spg). Head coach Paul Sanderford is in his fifth season at Nebraska (85-59) and 20th season (450-179) overall.

Baylor enters the week having lost two of its last three games after opening the season with a 12-game win streak. The Bears play at Texas Tech Wednesday before making the trip to Columbia. Sheila Lambert, a first-team all-Big 12 Conference pick last season, leads the team in points (18.3 points), assists (83) and steals (42). Fellow first-team all-conference selection Danielle Crockrom averages 17.2 points and a team-high 9.7 rebounds per game. She leads the Big 12 with eight double-doubles. Kim Mulkey-Robertson is in her second season as the Bears' head coach and has a 34-11 record.

Promotions: At Tuesday's game, fans will receive the second set of Mizzou Women's Basketball Trading Cards featuring senior Natalie Bright among others. "The Star Spangled Banner" will be sung by five 3rd grade students from Grant Elementary. For Saturday's 7 p.m. game against Baylor, fans can receive a $2 admission by either donating a children's book or redeeming a men's basketball ticket from Saturday's MU/Colorado game. Kids will receive a free Dr. Seuss hat and can meet "The Cat in the Hat."

The MU/Nebraska Series: Nebraska leads the series, 30-21. Missouri has won 14 of the 24 meetings in Columbia, including last season's 83-55 contest. The Tigers won both games between the two schools for the first time since the 1989-90 season. Amanda Lassiter led MU with 25 points and six steals while Kerensa Barr added 17 points, four assists and four steals.

The MU/Baylor Series: Baylor has a 5-3 lead in the series, which started in 1977, between the two schools. The Bears picked up a 97-81 win last season in Waco. There have been only two meetings in Columbia, with Missouri winning the last meeting, 78-44, on Jan. 8, 2000.

MU's Last Time Out: A career-high 27 points by Natalie Bright fueled the Tigers to a 66-48 win over Kansas on Jan. 12 at Allen Fieldhouse in Lawrence, Kan. Bright sank a career-best six 3-point field goals. Kerensa Barr scored 20 points, all in the second half, and had a game-high six assists. MU led 24-22 at halftime and used the scoring punch of Barr (20) and Bright (10) to fuel the 42-point second-half outburst. Barr had 10 of her points during a 16-0 run over four minutes. The victory was Missouri's fourth straight in the series.

Back in Poll: Missouri received six votes this week's Associated Press poll. MU has now appeared six times in the last seven editions of the AP poll. The Tigers had received votes for three consecutive weeks in the USA Today/ESPN/WBCA Coaches poll but that streak ended with the Dec. 24 poll.

What a Team: There will be three players from Blue Valley North High School playing in Tuesday's game as Missouri's Wannette Smith and Tracy Lozier and Nebraska's Shahidrah Roberts all hail from that high school. Blue Valley North won the 1998 Kansas 6A state title and was the runner-up in 1999.

Next Start: Kerensa Barr's next start will be the 50th of her career at Missouri. It will be her 47th consecutive appearance in the starting lineup. Natalie Bright leads the Tigers with 55 starts and Evan Unrau has made 45 starts.

Deja Vu?: Similar to last season, Missouri lost its first Big 12 Conference game of the season before beating a nationally ranked team at home in its second league contest of the year. In the 2000-2001 campaign, Missouri lost its Big 12 season opener at Texas Tech, 82-64, but rebounded to pick up a 68-52 triumph over No. 12/17 Texas at the Hearnes Center. This season saw Missouri suffer a 73-57 setback at Oklahoma State and defeat No. 10/12 Texas Tech, 82-71, at home.

Long Time, No Three: Missouri went almost 33 minutes without making a 3-point field goal against Texas Tech. Natalie Bright finally made one with 7:24 left in the game to break the shutout. While the one 3-point field goal ties the low this season (also done against Davidson on Nov. 24), the last time MU was blanked in the 3-point field goal category was on Jan. 27, 1999, in a 78-54 loss at Baylor. Missouri's last time at home without a 3-pointer came on Dec. 5, 1998, in an 87-76 victory over Louisville. Since the Baylor game, the streak of Missouri making at least one 3-point field goal in a game is at 87 games.

Television Coverage: MU improved to 4-0 this season on TV with the win over Kansas. MU's next game on TV will be the Feb. 9 Kansas game.

I'm In: After playing a possible 116 of 120 minutes in three games, Kerensa Barr got a break against Texas Tech and Kansas by playing 'only' 35 and 33 minutes, respectively. She has played 30 or more minutes in 12 of the Tigers' 14 games and has played a total of 468 of a possible 560 minutes this season.

I'm In, Too: Natalie Bright and Evan Unrau also have logged quite a few minutes for the Tigers, playing 470 and 441 minutes, respectively, this season. Bright's effort of just under 40 minutes against Kansas gives her the team lead in minutes (470) played.

Offensive Rebounds: Evan Unrau has made the most of second opportunities this season. Of her team-high 106 rebounds, Unrau has snared 52 offensive caroms this season.

Offensive Rebounds II: Missouri grabbed a season-high 23 offensive boards in the win over Texas Tech (1/9). MU's previous high of 18 offensive rebounds came against Southeast Missouri (12/1) and UMKC (11/16). The Tigers continued its success on the offensive glass against Kansas (1/12) by snaring 16 of their 36 rebounds on that end of the floor. MU used those 16 rebounds for a total of 23 second-chance points against the Jayhawks.

Forcing Turnovers: Missouri has forced opponents to commit 315 turnovers this season (average of 22.5). Opponents have committed 20 or more turnovers in 11 of Missouri's 14 games this year.

Barr and Free Throws: Kerensa Barr is now Missouri's all-time career leader in free throw percentage as she has made 169-of-212 foul shots (79.7 percent). Barr's performance this season (if it ended prior to the Nebraska game) would set a school record. Barr's mark of 73-of-78 free throws for 93.6 percent easily surpasses the previous mark of 84.6 percent by Lisa Plummer in the 1980-81 season. While this next comment will probably jinx the streak but ... Barr has made her last 21 free throws.

Career Years: Natalie Bright has made more 3-point field goals (25) this season than she has in any other season in her career. She is on pace for 50, which would almost equal her career total of 56 coming into this season. On a similar wavelength, Kerensa Barr has made 16 3-point field goals, equaling her mark from last season. If she continues on her current pace, Barr will make 32 3-point field goals, doubling her career total coming into this season.

Nearing 500: Missouri has won 495 games in its 28 seasons and could become the 50th NCAA Division I program to surpass the 500 win total. Notre Dame has also won 495 games while Maine has won 494 games to also be in the race.

Tough At Home: The Tigers are an impressive 259-81 during their 27 seasons in the Hearnes Center. Missouri has won its last 18 non-conference home games. Missouri, which is 7-0 at home this season, has won 21 of its last 22 games at the Hearnes Center and posted a home mark of 7-1 in the 2001 Big 12 season. Ranked teams have also found the going tough in the Hearnes Center. MU has defeated three of the last four ranked teams in the past two seasons. Those wins games are:
*Jan. 6, 2001 Missouri 68, #12/17 Texas 52
*Feb. 28, 2001 Missouri 78, #17/21 Colorado 61
*Jan. 9, 2002 Missouri 82, #10/12 Texas Tech 71

Among NCAA Leaders: Kerensa Barr ranks second nationally in free throw percentage, according to the statistical report released by the NCAA through games of Jan 7. Barr's mark of 92.3 percent (60-of-65) is second only to Arkansas-Pine Bluff's Khadijah Haqq's mark of 95.3 percent (41-of-43). After Barr's 13-of-13 showing last week, her percentage improves to 93.6 percent. As a team, Missouri has made 191-of-251 free throws for a 76.1 percent mark and ranks 12th in that category. Here's a list of the Tigers' rankings:
*Free throw percentage, 12th, 76.1 percent (191-of-251)
*Rebound margin, 29th, +7.7
*Won/loss percentage, 38th, 75.0 percent
*Scoring margin, 39th, +12.5

Top Performances: Evan Unrau's 5-of-5 effort from beyond the 3-point field goal line against Southeastern Louisiana ranks as the top mark in the Big 12. Kerensa Barr's 17 made free throws (and her 18 attempts) are the most this season in one game in the Big 12. Barr's 10-of-10 effort from the free-throw line against Southwest Missouri State is one of four such performances in the Big 12 this season. Missouri's 32 made free throws against Davidson are the most this season in the Big 12.

Big 12 Stat Leaders: Missouri leads the Big 12 Conference in free throw percentage as the Tigers have made 224-of-297 foul shots for a league-best 75.4 percentage mark. MU also leads in defensive 3-point field goal percentage, allowing teams to shoot a league-low 26.5 percent from beyond the 3-point arc. The Tigers rank second in scoring defense, allowing opponents 60.5 points per game in all games but is tied for the league lead (64.0 ppg) in Big 12 play. Kerensa Barr leads the Big 12 in free throw percentage (93.6 percent). Evan Unrau leads the league in 3-point field goal percentage (48.4 percent).

Individuals in the Big 12: Here's a list of the Tigers' rankings in the Big 12 for all games: Scoring - Kerensa Barr, 7th, 17.4 ppg, Evan Unrau, 16th, 14.2 ppg, Natalie Bright, 27th, 11.7 ppg

Field Goal Percentage - Melanie Fisher, 7th, 53.2 percent (42-of-79), Evan Unrau, 8th, 52.0 percent (77-of-148)

Free Throw Percentage - Kerensa Barr, 1st, 93.6 percent (73-of-78)

Assists - Kerensa Barr, 10th, 4.46 apg, Natalie Bright, 12th, 4.0 apg

Steals - Kerensa Barr, 5th, 2.50 spg

3-Point Field Goal Percentage - Evan Unrau, 1st, 48.4 percent (15-of-31)

3-Point FG Made Per Game - Natalie Bright, 10th, 1.79 fgm/g

Assist/Turnover Ratio - Kerensa Barr, 14th, 1.19

Tournament Success: Missouri won this year's Unilever Lady Tiger Tournament. The win gave MU its 17th win in 24 championship game appearances of the Missouri tournament.

100 and counting: MU scored 100 or more points for the fourth time under head coach Cindy Stein in the Tigers' 102-47 win over Arkansas-Pine Bluff Dec. 20. MU hung 101 points on Davidson on Nov. 25. MU has scored 100 or more points 33 times in its history. Missouri is 4-0 under Stein when topping the century mark and 32-1 all-time.

Record Setter: Kerensa Barr set the Missouri all-time record for free throws made in a game as she sank 17 against Davidson on Nov. 25. Barr's mark broke the previous record of 16 by Erika Martin against Kansas on Feb. 4, 1996.

First Win Over ...: MU's 61-57 win over Southwest Missouri State marked the first time in the program's history the Tigers have defeated a team which advanced to the Final Four the year before. MU did play defending national champion Texas Tech in the first round of the 1994 NCAA Tournament but suffered a 75-61 loss.

Let's Score 30: Missouri has scored 30 or more points 11 times in its 14 first halves this season.

State Champs: With the 64-53 win over Saint Louis, Missouri improved to 4-0 this season against the state's NCAA Division I schools (UMKC, Southwest Missouri State, Southeast Missouri State and Saint Louis). This performance marks the first time Missouri has defeated each one of the other NCAA Division I in-state schools.

Free Throws: To put it mildly, Missouri has been successful at the foul line this season. The Tigers have been getting to the free-throw line early and often this season in their wins. Missouri has made 23 or more free throws six times this season. They are:
*23 - vs. UMKC
*24 - vs. SMS
*32 - vs. Davidson
*27 - vs. Northern Iowa
*23 - vs. Arkansas-Pine Bluff
*23 - vs. Texas Tech

In addition, Missouri has shot 80 percent or better from the line five times this season. They are:
*82.1 percent (23-of-28) vs. UMKC
*87.5 percent (7-of-8) vs. South Carolina
*84.6 percent (11-of-13) vs. Southeast Missouri
*81.8 percent (27-of-33) vs. Northern Iowa
*88.5 percent (23-of-26) vs. Arkansas-Pine Bluff

Put me in Coach: Ten of Missouri's student-athletes average at least eight minutes per game.

Scoring Power: The Tigers' starting five average 75.9 percent of the team's scoring per game (779 of 1,027 points). MU has used six different starting lineups this season. They are (in alphabetical order):
*Barr, Bright, Carter, Fisher, Unrau
*Barr, Bright, Fisher, Podratz, Unrau
*Barr, Bright, Fisher, Smith, Unrau
*Barr, Bright, Fisher, Lozier, Unrau
*Barr, Bright, Fisher, Unrau, Wolford
*Barr, Bright, Fisher, Lozier, Smith

Missouri Head Coach: Cindy Stein is in her fourth season at the helm of the Tigers. She has a mark of 64-40 with Missouri and is 129-65 in seven seasons as a head coach. Stein, who has an all-time mark of 24-27 in Big 12 regular season play, is assisted this season by: associate head coach Betsy Yonkman, assistant coach Tanya Warren and assistant coach Edith Thompson. Former Missouri standouts Amanda Lassiter, Marlena "Pep" Williams and Tracy Franklin are serving as student assistants.

Career leaders: Kerensa Barr and Natalie Bright continue to make an impact on the Tigers' all-time career charts. As a result of her outstanding performance this season from the free-throw line, Barr is now the all-time career leader at Missouri. She has made 169-of-212 free throws for a mark of 79.7 percent. Barr is on a record pace of 93.6 percent (73-of-78) this season. After making a career-high six 3-point field goals against Kansas (1/12), Bright has now made 81 in her career to rank fifth in that all-time category at Missouri while Barr has made 46 to rank seventh. Bright's next 3-point field goal will tie her with former teammate Tracy Franklin (1998-2001) for fourth place with 82 while Barr's next 3-point field goal will tie her with Amy Fordham (1991-94) for sixth place. Bright ranks fifth with 227 3-point field goal attempts. Barr ranks seventh with 138 attempts. Bright ranks fifth in 3-point field goal percentage at 35.7 percent while Barr is ninth at 33.3 percent. Barr and Bright both rank in the Tigers' all-time career lists for assists. Barr's total of 270 assists ranks seventh while Bright's 267 career assists rank eighth.

Rankings: Missouri was picked by both the Big 12 Conference coaches and the media covering the league to finish 10th in the 2001-2002 league standings. The Tigers were picked 43rd nationally by Basketball News, a publication which chose the schools it feels will make the 2002 NCAA Tournament.

Rankings II: Missouri is ranked 42nd in this week's Sagarin RPI rankings with a mark of 82.57. CollegeRPI.com ranks the Tigers 48th (.5851). Collegiate Basketball News also has MU 58th at .5851. In the Jan 14th edition of the WBCA/Summerville RPI Rankings, MU was 44th (.58427).

Radio Coverage: Missouri women's basketball is covered live on KFRU (1400 AM), KWWC (90.5 FM), KLIK (1240 AM) or on the Tiger Network. David Lile, Jessica Jenkins and Gary Link offer all the action. A majority of the Tigers' games can be found on KFRU but various games will be on KWWC and KLIK. Mizzou fans can also log onto the Missouri web site, www.mutigers.com, for coverage.

Tough Schedule: While the RPI and WBCA/Summerville rankings have one idea about the Tigers' strength of schedule, here are some facts. Nine opponents - #3 Oklahoma, #8 South Carolina, #9 Kansas State, #12 Texas, #13 Baylor, #14 Iowa State, #15 Texas Tech, #22 Colorado and RV Illinois - are in the Associated Press poll and the nine (although in a different order) - #2 Oklahoma, #8 South Carolina, #9 Iowa State, #11 Baylor, #12 Texas, #15 Kansas State, #16 Texas Tech, #19 Colorado and RV Illinois - are in the USA Today/ESPN/WBCA Coaches poll. The win over Texas Tech marked the first time Missouri faced a ranked team this season (South Carolina was not in either poll either as a ranked school or receiving votes at the time of the game). MU's 82-71 victory over the Lady Raiders gives the Tigers a 1-0 record against ranked teams this season. That mark will be tested next against Baylor Saturday at the Hearnes Center where MU has won three of its last four meetings against ranked teams. The Tigers are currently 1-0 against schools (MU 61, SMS 57) which are receiving votes at the time of the game.

Youth is Served: Missouri's active roster of 11 consists of one senior (Natalie Bright), two juniors (Kerensa Barr and Wannette Smith), five sophomores (Tracy Lozier, Evan Unrau, Terianne Wolford, Amy Loftus and Melanie Fisher) and three freshmen (Lauren Podratz, Angie Carter and Megan Roney).

Last Year: The Tigers posted a 22-10 record and advanced to the NCAA Sweet Sixteen.

Radio Show: Tiger Talk with Cindy Stein is on at 7 p.m. on Mondays. The show will originate from Harpo's and be aired by KFRU.

Signings: MU head coach Cindy Stein announced on Nov. 14 the signing of Latoya Bond and Cherice Mack to National Letters of Intent.

Fans, Fans, Fans: Missouri ranks 44th in the 2001-02 National Women's Basketball Home Attendances Poll. This poll is an unofficial and voluntary collection of NCAA Division I home attendance statistics compiled weekly by the University of Wisconsin-Madison Sports Information Office. The Tigers have averaged 1,772 fans per game this season, well above last season's average of 1,172 during the same number of home games.

A Win Would ...: If Missouri defeats Nebraska, it would ...
*push head coach Cindy Stein's record at MU to 65-40
*give Missouri 496 all-time victories
*be Missouri's third-straight win in the series

Who's Next? Missouri will play at Texas on Jan. 22 before meeting No. xx/xx Colorado on Jan. 26 at the Hearnes Center.