University of Missouri
Texas State
Mizzou Claims 70-61 Victory Over Texas State
12/1/2007 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
Dec. 1, 2007
COLUMBIA, Mo. - Freshman forward Shakara Jones posted her second career double-double with 20 points and 13 rebounds to help lead the Missouri women's basketball team to a 70-61 victory over Texas State Saturday afternoon at Mizzou Arena.
Junior guard Alyssa Hollins had 18 points, including 16 in the first half, and sophomore forward Amanda Hanneman scored 13. Sophomore guard Toy Richbow pulled down a career high 10 boards, doubling her previous best, and sophomore forward Marissa Scott had eight rebounds and a personal best four blocks.
"We felt very fortunate to win this game," said Missouri Head Coach Cindy Stein. "We kept letting them back in but our kids played hard and played well. We just need to put teams away a little better."
Mizzou ran out to a quick 13-4 lead in the first 4:17 of the game as Hanneman, Hollins, Jones and Richbow all made baskets. The Bobcats stormed back with a 13-4 run of their own to knot the game at 17-17 with 10:55 left in the first half on a jumper from Ashley Cole.
The lead seesawed over the next few minutes until Jones hit a jumper with 3:03 on the clock to give Missouri a 31-30 advantage. A 3-pointer by junior forward K-Kay Pickens and a layup from Jones upped the Tigers' lead to 36-30 at the 1:41 mark.
Texas State cut Mizzou's lead to two, 36-34, with 22 seconds left in the first frame but senior center Nicole Wilson knocked in two free throws with 1.1 seconds on the clock to send the Tigers into the break ahead 38-36.
Freshman guard Jasmyn Otote found Hanneman for a 3-pointer then Jones made a layup with 15:28 left in the game to give Mizzou its biggest lead of the game at 60-47. Texas State reeled off seven consecutive points to cut Missouri's lead to 60-54 with 4:08 on the clock but Richbow made one-of-two free throws and sophomore forward Marissa Scott sunk two to give Mizzou a 63-54 advantage with 2:46 left in the game.
With 1:11 remaining in the contest, the Bobcats cut Mizzou's lead to eight, 67-59, after Joyce Ekworomadu converted a layup but Richbow and Scott again hit one and two free throws, respectively, to put the game out of reach and give the Tigers a 70-59 Tiger advantage
The Tigers host the CenturyTel Tiger Tournament on Friday and Saturday, Dec. 7-8 at Mizzou Arena. Alcorn and Stephen F. Austin start things off at 5 p.m. on Friday while Missouri will face Mississippi Valley State after the first contest. Missouri will play in the 6:30 p.m. game on Saturday night no matter if the team is in the championship or consolation contest. Saturday's other game will tip-off at the conclusion of the Missouri's game.
