Dec. 9, 2004

COLUMBIA, Mo. - University of Missouri freshman center Brittany Mannings (St. Peters, Mo. / Duchesne HS) has left the women's basketball team for family reasons, Head Coach Cindy Stein announced today.

"We are certainly sorry to see Brittany leave this team, but we understand her family's desire for her to be closer to home and wish her the best of luck in the future," Stein said.

Mannings played in three of Mizzou's first seven games and averaged 3.3 points and 2.0 rebounds a contest. Her best game came against Providence on Nov. 27 in the consolation game of the Airport University Inn Thanksgiving Tournament, when she tallied seven points, four rebounds and a blocked shot.

"Due to family concerns, it is important for me to be closer to home at this time," Mannings said. "I want to thank Coach Stein for the opportunity to play for her and to my teammates for their support during my time here in Columbia."