Nov. 5, 2007
COLUMBIA, Mo. - The University of Missouri women's basketball team overcame an 11-point halftime deficit to collect a 62-50 win over Pittsburg State in exhibition action on Monday, Nov. 5 at Mizzou Arena. After trailing 32-21 going into the break, Mizzou outscored the Gorillas 41-18 in the second frame to take control of the game.
Sophomore Jessra Johnson and freshman Shakara Jones led all scorers with 18 points apiece and Johnson added 11 rebounds, including five on the offensive end, to post a double-double.
DePrice Taylor led the Gorilla's with 17 points, nine rebounds and five assists.
"We had a great team effort in the second half, we quit going one-on-one and taking that quick shot," Missouri Head Coach Cindy Stein said. "The big thing for us is going to be our youth. A lot of the things that were happening incorrectly were from a lack of experience and we have to get the players out there. That's why we do these exhibitions. We're just going to keep working on getting better."
Missouri and Pittsburg State traded baskets from the opening tip before the Gorillas used a 10-0 run to go on top 18-9 with 10:50 left in the first half. Jones hit a layup to cut the Tiger deficit to seven but Pittsburg State ran off an additional seven straight points for a 25-11 advantage with 4:37 remaining in the frame. Three-pointers by sophomore Marissa Scott and junior K-Kay Pickens and a layup from Scott cut the Gorilla lead to 11 heading into the break.
The Tigers finally began to make their run at the 13:26 mark of the second half after junior Alyssa Hollins hit a layup and a jumper and sophomore Toy Richbow found Jones for a basket to cut the Gorilla lead to five, 36-31.
Consecutive jumpers by Jones and Johnson and two free throws from freshman Jasmyn Otote brought the Tigers within two, 40-38, with 8:52 remaining in the game. After the Gorilla's Taylor hit a jumper, Johnson nailed a layup and hit two free throws to knot the game at 41-41 at the 8:40 mark. With the game tied, the Mizzou defense stepped up with consecutive blocks from Hollins and Johnson before Jones made a layup to give Missouri its first lead since the 15:09 mark in the first half.
Pittsburg State got within one on a free throw from Taylor but Johnson scored six straight points for the Tigers to put Missouri on top 50-43 with 6:10 left and secure the comeback victory.
Mizzou took advantage of 15 offensive rebounds to post a 14-7 advantage in second-chance points.
"I'm pleased with the second half but not overly pleased with the game," Stein said. "But at the same time it's a starting point. Now we go back to the drawing board and start fine-tuning"
The Tigers officially open the season on Friday, Nov. 9 with a 6:30 p.m. game against Murray State at Mizzou Arena. Mizzou then returns to its home court on Thursday, Nov. 15 in a contest against Eastern Illinois at 6:30 p.m.