Dec. 7, 2007
COLUMBIA, Mo. - Junior guard Alyssa Hollins poured in a career high 28 points to propel the Missouri women's basketball team (5-3) to the championship game of the CenturyTel Tiger Tournament with a 69-52 win over Mississippi Valley State (4-1) on Friday, Dec. 7. The Tigers will take on Stephen F. Austin (2-5) for the title at 6:30 p.m. at Mizzou Arena, followed by the consolation game between Mississippi Valley State and Alcorn State 30 minutes after the conclusion of the first game.
Sophomore forward Jessra Johnson also contributed 21 points in the winning effort to go along with eight rebounds.
The Tigers built an early 12-6 advantage after Johnson sunk a layup at the 14:44 mark of the first half but Mississippi Valley State responded with an 11-6 run of its own to cut Mizzou's lead to 18-17 with 10:22 left in the frame.
Johnson then capped off a 7-0 Tiger run when she converted two free throws with 7:16 remaining in the half to put the score at 25-17. Missouri kept the Devilettes at bay and had a 36-24 advantage when Hollins made a pair of free throws with 48 seconds left in the first frame but Mississippi Valley State's Portia Wilson made a fastbreak layup with 31 seconds left to cut Mizzou's lead to 36-26 entering the intermission.
Mizzou added to its lead throughout the second half. After the Devilettes got within 36-30 just 23 seconds into the second half, the Tigers reeled off a 22-5 run over the next 9:08, capped by two free throws from Johnson, to give Missouri a 58-35 lead with 10:29 left in the game.
Portia Johnson paced the Devilettes with 16 points and Amanda Hammond added 11.
Missouri will face Stephen F. Austin in the championship game of the CenturyTel Tiger Tournament on Saturday, Dec. 7 at 6:30 p.m., followed by the consolation game between Mississippi Valley State and Alcorn State 30 minutes after the conclusion of the championship contest.