Jan. 28, 2007

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Missouri's EeTisha Riddle scored all 12 of her points during the final 13 minutes as the Tigers closed the game on a 32-20 run to defeat Colorado, 61-48, and snap a four-game losing streak on Saturday at Mizzou Arena.

Riddle played just three minutes of the first half and the first 90 seconds of the second with foul trouble before re-entering the contest for good with 14:43 remaining. From that point on she was 4-of-8 from the floor, made all four free throws and pulled down four rebounds as the Tigers improved to 14-6 overall and 2-5 in Big 12 play.

Both teams struggled shooting in the first half as each shot below 30 percent with Missouri holding a 23-20 lead. The first 20 minutes had four ties and three lead changes.

Colorado came out of the intermission and grabbed a 26-23 lead on consecutive baskets by Jackie McFarland and another by Kara Richards. MU regained the lead a minute later, 27-26, following a three by Kassie Drew and a Tiffany Brooks free throw.

A 7-4 Buffalo run made it a 33-31 CU lead before Riddle began to take over inside.

She scored eight of the Tigers' next 13 points during a crucial 13-6 Mizzou run that turned a two-point deficit into a five point lead with 5:39 left on the clock.

The Tigers put the game out of reach with good ball spacing and solid free throw shooting. Following a CU layup from Whitney Houston, Mizzou outscored the Buffs 17-7 to close out the game.

Missouri entered the game ranked fourth in the nation from the charity stripe and made eight of nine in the final minute (and 16-of-19 overall) to keep CU at bay. Senior Carlynn Savant made all six of freebies to improve her season completion rate to 91.4 percent - a figure that places her seventh-best nationally. Savant finished with nine points and a game-high 11 rebounds.

Senior Marchele Campbell and freshman Jessra Johnson led the Tiger bench with eight and nine points, respectively. For the game, MU's bench outscored CU's 24-15.

Colorado (8-11, 2-5 Big 12) was led by Jackie McFarland's 19 points and eight rebounds. Houston had 10 points on 3-of-11 shooting. The Buffs held a slim 43-42 edge on the glass. MU had a 21-19 margin in the second 20 minutes.

Missouri will open a two-game road trip at No. 13 Baylor (18-3, 5-2 Big 12) on Wednesday. Tip-off at the Ferrell Center is at 7 p.m. CST.