Feb. 2, 2011

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COLUMBIA, Mo. - The University of Missouri women's basketball team withstood a furious second half comeback by the Nebraska Cornhuskers but held on to earn a 76-69 victory on a snowy Wednesday night at Mizzou Arena. The Tigers improved to 11-11 overall and 3-5 in Big 12 Conference play with the win, while the Huskers fell to 12-9 and 2-5.

Missouri led by 17, 39-22, at the half but the Huskers used nine three-pointers in the second frame to claw back. With the Tigers on top 59-50, Nebraska reeled off a 10-0, capped by a three from Husker Jordan Hooper, run to take its first lead of the second half, 61-60, with 4:17 remaining in the game.

A layup from senior Shakara Jones gave the lead back to Missouri with 3:38 on the clock. Fellow senior RaeShara Brown then took the game over offensively, scoring Mizzou's next 12 points to keep the Huskers at bay.

The Tigers managed to increase their lead to seven, 71-56, with 49 seconds remaining in the game after Brown nailed a three-pointer as the shot clock expired. Another three from Hooper brought Nebraska within four, 73-69, with 21 seconds remaining but Missouri hit three-of-four free throws in the waning seconds to hold on for the win.

Brown scored 22 of her team high 25 points in the second half, to go along seven rebounds, four assists and three steals. Sophomore Sydney Crafton notched her second career double-double with a career high 19 points, 17 of which came in the opening frame, and a personal best tying 12 rebounds. Jones joined the duo in double figures with 11.

The score remained tight over the opening few minutes, with Nebraska taking an early 18-15 advantage with 11:02 on the clock. Missouri responded with back-to-back three-pointers from Crafton and Brown and a layup from junior Christine Flores to grab a 23-18 edge with 6:51 left in the first half.

A jumper for Katya Leick brought the Huskers back within 25-20 but the Tigers closed out the first frame with a 14-2 run to enter the break ahead 39-22.

Hooper notched a game high 31 points, including seven treys, to lead the Huskers.

Missouri outrebounded Nebraska 45-39 and outscored the Huskers 36-14 in the paint.

The Tigers return to the court on Saturday, Feb. 5 with a 2 p.m. clash with the Kansas State Wildcats. The game is the annual "Pack the Zou" promotion with admission for the contest set at just $2.