Women's basketball coach notches 200th win
Coach Cindy Stein easily took her 200th win as the Tigers toppled Texas A&M, 89-60.
Published Nov. 16, 2006
Maybe it wasn't the most thrilling or exhilarating way for Missouri women's basketball coach Cindy Stein to get her 200th career win, but at least she had most of the second half to prepare for it.
The Tigers (2-0) took an early lead Tuesday night over the Texas A&M-Corpus Christi Islanders that they never relinquished, and they cruised to an 89-60 win in front of 1,005 at Mizzou Arena.
"I wish all 200 wins were as easy at that," Stein said. "I'm really impressed with these young ladies."
The Tigers shot 54 percent from the floor in the first half, 16 percent better than the Islanders. Senior center EeTisha Riddle scored the Tigers' first six points, setting the tone for MU's easy night.
"I wanted to make my presence known early and the shots were there," she said. "I'm glad it got all of us off to a good start."
Thanks to that start, Stein was able to get all 14 players on Missouri's roster at least five minutes of playing time, something she said was very valuable at this point early in the season.
"We were lucky to get out ahead early," she said. "It gave us the ability to get players in and that was helpful."
After going into halftime ahead 45-27, the Tigers didn't let up on the Islanders (0-1). They opened up the second half on a 10-0 run to completely put the game out of reach, which impressed Stein.
"That group doesn't let up, and they're really focused," she said of her starters. "That's why they start and that's why they played that way to start the second half."
Sophomore Alyssa Hollins, making her first career start, had five three pointers and 21 points in 28 minutes. She seemed wide-eyed about her success Tuesday, and very straightforward.
"I like to put the ball in the basket," she said with a smile. "If the shot's there, it's there."
Hollins also seemed to be very aware on the defensive end tonight, something she feels she's improved on since last year.
"I wasn't familiar with all the defensive terms last year," she said. "I've learned a lot coming into my second year about what you can and can't get away with in college."
Senior Tiffany Brooks added 15 points on 7-for-11 shooting. She seemed just as happy with her six assists.
"It's easy for me to kick the ball out to the wing on this team," she said. "Because I know they can put it in."
All the players and Stein all appeared excited for this Friday's game when they play host to the Arkansas State Lady Indians. Last year, the Indians beat the Tigers 70-67 in Jonesboro, Ark., a loss that still seemed to bother Riddle.
"We should've won that game last year," she said. "We're going to be up for that game."
Stein called the loss in Jonesboro last year a nightmare. But she said with a trip to No. 5 Stanford looming on Nov. 21, it's important for Missouri to head west on a positive note.
"We have got to head on that California trip on a run, and that makes the Arkansas State game huge," she said. "