Jan. 19, 2008
LAWRENCE, Kan. - The University of Missouri women's basketball team cut a double-digit second half deficit to four in the final minute but fell short in a 66-60 loss to Kansas on Saturday afternoon in Lawrence, Kan. Down 13 entering the second frame, the Tigers outscored the Jayhawks 35-28 in the final 20 minutes.
With Kansas on top 64-55 and just over one minute remaining, junior Alyssa Hollins hit a 3-pointer but get the Tigers within six, 64-58. Kansas' Ivana Catic missed the front end of a one-and-one, sophomore Jessra Johnson got her own rebound and hit a layup and was fouled with 37.1 seconds left to get the Tigers within four, 64-60.
Johnson missed her free throw and Danielle McCray made two free throws two seconds later for a 66-60 game. Missouri did not make any of their shots in the waning seconds to give Kansas the victory.
Mizzou fell to 8-9 overall and 1-3 in Big 12 play while Kansas improved to 12-5 and 1-3.
After Hollins nailed a 3-pointer to bring Mizzou within two, 10-8, at the 13:32 mark of the first half, the Jayhawks got hot and went on a 20-6 run, capped Nicollette Smith hit a three with 5:05 left to put Kansas on top 30-14.
The Jayhawks kept a comfortable lead the remaining five minutes and entered the break with a 38-25 advantage.
Mizzou came out invigorated in the second half and cut the score to 10, 42-32, when Jones grabbed an offensive rebound and hit a shot. Jones then cut the deficit to single-digits, 42-34, when Johnson found her for a layup 27 seconds later.
After Johnson hit a baseline jumper with 10:46 left, sophomore Marissa Scott swatted away a Jayhawk shot and sophomore Toy Richbow went the length of the floor and made a layup to bring Mizzou within six, 50-44, at the 10:20 mark.
Kansas responded with five straight points to regain its double-digit lead, 55-44, with 9:10 remaining in the contest. The Tigers again cut the score to 55-47 off a jumper from sophomore Amanda Hanneman and a free throw from Jones one minute.
Jones led Mizzou with 18 points on seven-of-eight shooting and grabbed eight rebounds while Hanneman and Hollins added 14 points apiece.
Mizzou returns home to Mizzou Arena to face No. 6/7 Baylor next Wednesday, Jan. 23 at 6 p.m. The game with the Bears will be broadcast on the Mizzou Sports Network. The Tigers then travel to Austin, Texas, to face the Texas Longhorns on Saturday, Jan. 26 at 1 p.m. The contest will be televised by ESPNU.