Missouri looks for control at home

LaToya Bond sat stewing in her own frustration after fouling out. It was overtime against Kansas on Saturday and all she could do was watch her team lose in Allen Fieldhouse.

With a chance to bounce back tonight at 7 p.m. against Nebraska (15-11, 7-8 Big 12 Conference) at Mizzou Arena, the momentum lost in Lawrence, Kan., wasn’t on Bond’s mind this week.

Bond wished she hadn’t fouled out. The last thing she wanted to see was a cold, unforgiving seat on the bench. When the clock ran out she didn’t want to be sitting with her hand resting on her chin, thinking about how Missouri (20-7, 10-5 Big 12) let a close game get away.

The frustrations at Kansas were evident from everyone on Missouri. Bond slammed the ball against the ground in a rare outburst that extended beyond the sight lines of her teammates. Senior center Christelle N’Garsanet, who despite a double-double said she was frustrated by her own play, could see it on her teammates’ faces.

But, tonight, there are more important things to play for than a Border Showdown game.

Seeding for the Big 12 tournament, which could have a significant effect on the Tigers’ potential seed in the NCAA tournament, is at stake.

Six scenarios are in play that will determine where Missouri can finish the season in the conference standings. Three scenarios avoid powerhouse Oklahoma, which is 15-0 in Big 12 play, for at least another day.

Unfortunately for the Tigers, they’ll need a win and some help in the form of a Texas A&M and/or Baylor loss to avoid a potential semifinal matchup against the top-seeded Sooners in Dallas.

The Tigers were in control of their own destiny in terms of seeding for the conference tournament until Saturday.

Now they’re left looking to gain back some momentum against Nebraska.

“I felt like we relaxed a little bit against Kansas,” Missouri coach Cindy Stein said. “Unfortunately it takes a loss sometimes and a lot of that is just mental.”

Potentially adding to the Tigers’ mental hurdles will be the emotion that comes with honoring the seniors in their last home game. Bond and fellow seniors N’Garsanet and Cherice Mack will need to put aside the emotions that can come with being honored on senior night.

Bond said she might get a little emotional but said she would need to treat it like any other game. N’Garsanet looked a little more excited about being honored.

“I don’t know how I’m going to feel (today),” N’Garsanet said. “I’m trying not to think of it as the end of a season. Maybe in a few weeks I’ll be sad.”