Feb. 14, 2002
*-Kareem Rush, who was named one of 20 finalists on Tuesday for the prestigious Naismith Award, scored a season-high 30 points Wednesday at Nebraska. Rush, arguably the hottest player in the Big 12, has averaged 28.0 points in his last 4 games, scoring 26 vs. Virginia, 27 vs. Iowa State, 29 at Baylor and 30 at Nebraska. Rush, the Big 12's leading 3-pt. producer (3.4 p/g), has made 55.3% of his 3s in those games (21-of-38).
*-Rush, who now has 522 points this season, became just the 8th player in MU history to record consecutive 500-point seasons (he had 549 last year). Melvin Booker (1993 & 1994) was the last Tiger to accomplish this feat. Others include Doug Smith (1990-91), Derrick Chievous (1986-87-88), Ricky Frazier (1981-82), Willie Smith (1975-76), John Brown (1972-73), and Ron Coleman (1966-67).
*-Missouri got its 18th regular-season win Wednesday at Nebraska, and that matches the most ever under Quin Snyder. Last year's squad went 18-11 in the regular season, while Snyder's 1999-2000 squad went 17-11.
*-Missouri has made 13 3-pt. FGs in each of its last 2 games, making a solid 47.3% from long range in those games (26-of-55).
*-Missouri scored 50 points in the 1st half at Nebraska, marking the most MU has scored in a half in Big 12 play this year. It marked the most scored in a half this year since the Tigers scored 61 in the 2nd half vs. Southern (Dec. 6), and the 50 points was just 10 shy of the 60 MU scored in its 60-53 win over Nebraska in Columbia on Jan. 5th.
*-Missouri shot 50% from the floor for the 2nd straight game (51.8% at Baylor, 53.1% at Nebraska). That marked the 1st time since games 1 & 2 that the Tigers had consecutive games of 50% or better. MU opened the season by shooting on 52.7% from the floor vs. Tennessee-Martin and followed with a season-best 58.9% vs. Air Force.
*-Missouri, ranked 11th in the Big 12 in defensive FG% entering Wednesday's games, held Nebraska to just 38.6% shooting. The Tigers have held their last 2 opponents to a combined 40.2% shooting (49-of-122 FGs).
*-Missouri won in Lincoln Wednesday despite a severe disadvantage at the foul line. Nebraska had 35 free throw attempts to Missouri's 10 on the night, but the Huskers converted only 19 of their foul shots. MU made 6 of its 10 tries.