University of Missouri
Murray State
Mizzou Defeats Murray State 73-64 in Season Opener
11/9/2007 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
Nov. 9, 2007
COLUMBIA, Mo. - Freshman forward Shakara Jones and sophomore forward Jessra Johnson combined for 48 points and 22 rebounds to propel the Missouri women's basketball team to a 73-64 season-opening victory over Murray State on Friday night at Mizzou Arena.
Jones posted a double-double to lead Missouri (1-0) with 27 points and 14 rebounds in her collegiate debut while Johnson posted 21 points and eight rebounds. Sophomore guard Toy Richbow added 10 points and five steals for the Tigers.
"There were some nice things we saw tonight, some good passing plays," Missouri Head Coach Cindy Stein said. "We tried to exploit their lack of size at certain positions. "I am pleased with our play because it was so much better than Monday. Our kids had a lot of good effort."
Johnson opened scoring 43 seconds into the contest when she knocked down a three and junior Alyssa Hollins made the score 5-0 with 18:31 left in the first half on a jumper. The two teams traded baskets the next few minutes until Racer Amber Guffey sank a three-pointer to give Murray State an early 10-9 advantage with 14:22 left in the frame.
The Racers continued to up their lead and held a 24-16 lead with 6:27 on the clock on two free throws by Ashley Hayes before the Tigers responded with a 10-0 run in a 2:24 span to give Mizzou a 26-24 lead with 3:00 left in the half. After Hayes hit a three to put Murray State back on top 27-26, Johnson hit two free throws to retain the lead for Missouri and Richbow nailed a three-pointer with 14 seconds remaining in the frame for a 31-27 Tiger halftime lead.
Mizzou came out strong in the second half to build its first double-digit lead, 48-37, after Jones knocked in a trey with 12:19 left in the game. After Richbow hit a jumper and Jones converted a three-point play, Richbow found sophomore forward Marissa Scott for a layup to give the Tigers their biggest lead of the game, 55-40, with 10:07 on the clock.
Murray State hung around and managed to cut the Missouri lead to single digits, 70-62, on a three from Paige Guffey with just over a minute left in a game. The Racers got within six, 70-64 when Amber Guffey made a layup but Richbow hit one-of-two free throws and Johnson made a layup as time expired to give the Tigers the 73-64 win.
"This group is really focused on how we can get better, they're really trying to make those strides," Stein said.
Amber Guffey led Murray State (0-1) with 25 points and Ashley Hayes added 17 and nine rebounds.
Mizzou returns to the court on Thursday, Nov. 15 with a 6:30 p.m. contest against Eastern Illinois at Mizzou Arena. The Tigers then travel to Boca Raton, Fla., for games against Samford and Robert Morris on Nov. 24 and Nov. 25, respectively, in the Florida Atlantic University Invitational.
