Feb. 8, 2002

Defense has been the name of the game for Tracy Lozier this season.

"I take a lot of pride in my defense," said Lozier, a sophomore from Leawood, Kan. "I like stopping people or making a big steal."

And she has made several steals, 23 of them, to rank fifth on the team.

She opened the season with three steals against UMKC and Southwest Missouri State. She also had three steals in MU's win over UW-Green Bay.

"I just try to go out there and play defense," she said. "I've been struggling a little on offense so I work on my defense. I let my offense come from my defense. And, if you don't play defense here, you don't play."

While Lozier's shooting percentage is down from last season, she remains a threat from 3-point range. She has made 15 3-point field goals this season to rank fourth on the squad and could crack the school's all-time single-season top 10 list if she continues at her current rate of success.

"The coaches tell me I tend to get down on myself pretty easily," said Lozier, who made 45.5 percent (10-of-22) of her 3-point shots last season to lead the 2000-2001 Tigers in that category. "I just need to keep shooting and they'll go in. Obviously, things are better when they go in, but that doesn't always happen.

But the shots have fallen at times for Lozier. She scored a career-high 12 points against Arkansas-Pine Bluff this season and has made at least two 3-point field goals in five games this year.

After an adjustment period to the college game in 2000-2001, Lozier approached this season knowing she would be counted on to play, and play a lot.

"I get a little more confident, more comfortable each time I get on the floor," said Lozier. "I approached this year thinking I'd get more opportunities to play. I worked a lot over the summer on my ball-handling and overall game."

She has appeared in every game, playing either the guard or small forward spots, earning six starts.

"The first start was an honor but I don't put much weight into it," said Lozier of her start against SMS. "I like coming in off of the bench. When I come in, I try to do something, make something happen."

And so far this season, Lozier has been making things happen on the defensive end.

One thing that Lozier is not defensive about is having her parents, Jerry and Bonnie Lozier, in the stands. The Loziers attempt to watch Tracy play as much as possible, including making a trip to Duke earlier this season.

"Last year, it (having them come to games), was something I took for granted. But, I now see how other parents can't make it to game and how other parents can't make it to games and how lucky I am.

"I like it when they come," she continued. "It's always good to see a friendly face in the crowd, especially on the road. They've always been supportive throughout my career."

Now Lozier aims to give them and the rest of the Tigers' faithful something to cheer about.