Nov. 24, 2006
MORAGA, Calif. - Tiffany Brooks scored a season-high 23 points and Alyssa Hollins drained four 3-pointers as Missouri held off a pesky Alabama squad for a 78-70 win in the opening round of the Hilton Concord Classic at McKeon Pavilion on Friday.
Missouri (4-1) seemed to get the big shot when it needed it most down the stretch. Hollins' three with 1:46 to play broke a 67-67 tie and Brooks followed a Crimson Tide turnover with her final hoop to push the Tiger lead to five. Blair Hardiek made all four of her free throws in the final 20 seconds and Hollins secured the win with a steal on Alabama's final possession before making a pair of her own free throws. She finished with 18 points on 4-of-7 from outside.
The Tigers shot 46 percent overall and 47 from behind the three-point line. MU connected on eight 3-pointers and out-rebounded UA 34-33. EeTisha Riddle and Carlynn Savant finished with identical 12-point, seven-rebound performances.
Alabama (3-2) was led by Kate Mastin's 16 points. Navonda Moore added 15 points and a game-high eight rebounds.
Trailing for the first part of the opening half, Missouri took the lead for good when Riddle took a Savant blocked shot and converted a fast-break lay-up to make it 20-19 with 9:41 to play. Exactly one minute later, Riddle converted another fast-break bucket and made the ensuing free throw after being fouled from behind on the play.
The Tigers extended their lead to 35-26 at the 3:04 mark as Kassie Drew made the Tigers' fourth 3-pointer of the half to complete a 12-7 run. Brooks scored Mizzou's first nine points over the four-minute stretch and finished the half with 17.
The teams went into the break with Missouri holding a 41-33 advantage. The Tigers shot 52 percent and claimed a 17-15 lead on the glass.
Alabama opened the second half on a 12-0 run and regained the lead at 42-41, 4:10 into the period. Missouri misfired on its first nine attempts before a Hollins 3-pointer at 15:38 gave the Tigers a 44-42 lead. The lead traded hands three times over the next five minutes with the Tide holding its last advantage with 10 minutes to play, 49-48.
Mizzou used a 9-2 run before Alabama eventually tied it at 67 with 2:08 left. The game features 13 lead changes and four ties.
The Tigers will face tourney host Saint Mary's (Calif.) at 7:05 p.m. Pacific time on Saturday. The Gaels defeated Cal State-Northridge 100-89 in overtime in the late game Friday.