March 5, 2008
BOULDER, Colo. - Sophomore Jessra Johnson had her fifth double-double of the year with a career high tying 24 points and 11 rebounds but the Missouri women's basketball team fell to the Colorado Buffaloes 63-47 on Wednesday night in the regular season finale. The Tigers fall to 9-20 overall and 2-14 in Big 12 play while the Buffs improve to 16-13 and 5-11.
Johnson led Mizzou with her 24 points and was joined in double figures by junior Alyssa Hollins, who had 16 on four 3-pointers.
The Buffaloes ran out to a 14-5 lead with 10:42 left in the first frame but Mizzou used two free throws from senior Nicole Wilson and a short jumper from Johnson to cut its deficit to three, 14-11, at the 9:27 mark.
After the Buffs built a 20-11 lead, sophomore Amanda Hanneman and Johnson hit consecutive 3-pointers to bring the Tigers back within three, 20-17, with 5:13 remaining in the half.
Colorado Jackie McFarland hit two free throws with 17.1 seconds on the clock to send the Buffs into the break with a 29-21 advantage.
Mizzou used a 6-1 run over the first 4:06 of the second half to pull within three, 30-27, once again. McFarland and Hollins traded threes before Johnson hit one-of-two free throws to cut the Buff lead to 33-31.
A 15-4 Colorado run, including eight points from McFarland, opened a 50-37 lead for the Buffalo lead with just 4:37 remaining in the contest. The Buffs continued to build their lead over the closing minutes for the eventual 63-47 score.
Mizzou will compete in the 2008 Phillips 66 Big 12 Championship on Tuesday, March 11. As the 12th-seed, the Tigers will play at 2:30 p.m. against the five-seed, either Oklahoma, Oklahoma State or Texas A&M. Missouri will not find out its opponent until Thursday evening after the three teams play their final regular season games.