University of Missouri
Nebraska
First-Half Outburst Powers MU past Nebraska
1/15/2002 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
Jan. 15, 2002
Final Stats?|? Quotes?|? Notes
COLUMBIA, Mo. - After spotting the University of Nebraska one early basket, the University of Missouri women's basketball team got down to business Tuesday night at the Hearnes Center.
With Nebraska up, 2-0, Missouri answered with a 12-0 run that, in effect, put the game away in the 67-41 Big 12 Conference triumph. After the run, Missouri's lead was cut into single digits only twice and was never less than 12 points for the game's final 33 minutes.
"We felt it from the start," said MU senior guard Natalie Bright, who had 17 first-half points on her way to 21 points. "Our team is at a good place right now. We're coming together, we're working well. Our chemistry is on and we hope we can that into our Baylor game (Saturday) and that's what we're looking forward to. It's a great opportunity for us to keep winning, especially at home."
Bright scored eight points during MU's 12-0 run as she got off to a hot start for the second-straight game. Bright scored 17 points in the first half of MU's 66-48 win over Kansas on Jan. 12. Tracy Lozier added eight first-half points, including a pair of 3-point field goals, as MU rolled to a 41-18 halftime lead.
That defensive intensity stuck with the Tigers who forced Nebraska into 24 turnovers and 16-of-48 shooting from the field. Nebraska's 41 points ties the mark for fewest points allowed by Missouri during a Big 8 or Big 12 Conference game. The 41 points also are the fewest points scored by a Nebraska team since the 1988-89 season.
Kerensa Barr scored 13 points and had nine rebounds. Barr, the nation's leader in free throw percentage, sank two more foul shots to run her consecutive made streak to 23 and push her percentage to 93.75 percent (75-of-80). In addition to her eight points, Lozier had a career-high five assists. Wannette Smith had her second-straight strong outing, scoring eight points and snaring a career-high tying nine rebounds.
Missouri improves to 12-3 overall and 3-1 in the Big 12. Missouri's 12-3 mark after 15 games is the best start under head coach Cindy Stein. MU went 11-4 in both the 1999-2000 and 2000-2001 seasons and was 9-6 in the 1998-99, Stein's first at MU.
The Tigers will meet nationally ranked Baylor (No. 11/13) Saturday at 7 p.m. at the Hearnes Center. Missouri's mark of 2,322 fans in attendance is the second-highest figure this season.
