Women's basketball regains confidence with win

Defense, fan support and previous losses contributed to the win.

By Greg Young

Published Feb. 9, 2009

Senior guard Alyssa Hollins repeated one word during the press conference after Missouri's 74-60 win against rival Kansas on Saturday: "Swagger."

Perhaps that was the word that epitomized the Tigers' win in a game in which they never led by anything less than double digits in the second half.

"This gives us confidence because we know we can play the big games," sophomore forward Shakara Jones said.

One area the Tigers showed their newfound confidence was on defense. The Tigers forced 18 turnovers, had nine steals, three blocks and allowed only 16 turnovers.

"I think this game has been a long time coming," coach Cindy Stein said. "I felt that we controlled the game defensively the entire game."

An announced crowd of 3,546, their largest crowd of the year, bolstered the Tigers. The crowd helped the Tigers sustain momentum, Stein said.

"We like the crowd," Stein said. "We are sick of going on the road and getting big crowds against us."

Hollins, who scored 15 points, said the team's rivalry with KU helped increase the intensity. The Tigers lost to KU 75-58 earlier in the year in Lawrence, Kan.

"It means everything. It really becomes a part of you," Hollins said. "We just don't like them."

The Tigers' previous loss to the Jayhawks, Stein said, also motivated the Tigers. Stein admitted the team came out flat in its previous loss to Kansas, which at the time dropped the Tigers' conference record to 0-2.

"That last Kansas game we were so disappointed with our effort, and I think that showed today," Stein said.

The close loss Wednesday at Kansas State, in which the Tigers kept the score close despite the Wildcats' 10-0 record at home, helped provide momentum for the KU victory.

"I felt that we played really well at Kansas State and had the potential to win that game," Stein said. "But it slipped away."

Despite the Tigers' win and newfound confidence, they still find themselves toward the bottom of the Big 12 with a 2-7 record in conference. Only Nebraska, who the Tigers beat on the road earlier in the year, has a worse conference record.

"The Big 12 is so tough that you can't make mistakes," Stein said.

The Tigers' schedule doesn't get any easier either. Missouri's next game is on the road at No. 8 Baylor.

"I think in the Big 12 you want to play your hardest no matter who you are playing, no matter what you think they are doing or not doing," said junior forward Jessra Johnson, who led the Tigers with 20 points.