Ranked foes just sneaking by Tigers

The three Big 12 Conference wins by the Missouri women’s basketball team aren’t really anything to brag about when compared with the four-game losing streaks that separate them.

Mid-level conference opponents have given the Tigers the most problems. But against nationally ranked Big 12 teams, the Tigers (15-10, 3-9 Big 12) somehow manage at least to stay competitive when they lose.

Against then-No. 23 Texas, Missouri lost by two points in overtime. Against then-No. 13 Baylor, it was a one-point loss. And though the Tigers lost 69-63 to then-No. 16 Texas A&M, Missouri erased a 21-point Aggies lead at halftime to lead briefly in the second half.

When Missouri lost to Nebraska on Jan. 20 at Mizzou Arena, the Cornhuskers were unranked but had only one conference loss to Oklahoma. The Tigers made a comeback against a 19-point Husker halftime lead but still lost by 10 points.

When Missouri travels to Lincoln on Saturday, it will meet No. 19 Nebraska (21-5, 9-3 Big 12), which now is in a four-way tie for first in the Big 12.

“Are they going to be more pumped up right now that they’re playing for first place, or are they going to feel more pressure?” Missouri coach Cindy Stein asked. “I don’t know. It depends on the maturity of their team. It depends on the maturity of our team and just going after it.”

Husker maturity shouldn’t be an issue with four starting seniors.

Nebraska is led by senior guard Kiera Hardy, who is averaging 16.6 points in conference games. Hardy is ranked fourth in Big 12 games in scoring, right behind Missouri’s EeTisha Riddle at 17.3 points per game.

“It doesn’t matter what we did against Missouri before because every team in the Big 12 can beat every other team in the Big 12 on any given night,” said Hardy after a one-point loss to Texas Tech on Wednesday. “We expect Missouri to give us their best shot because every team in this league has to play their best every night if they want to win.”

While the Tigers held Hardy to 14 points in their previous meeting, they were unable to contain senior forward Chelsea Aubry. Aubry scored a career-high 26, and all but six of her points (on two 3-pointers) came in the paint.

On her radio show Thursday, Stein talked about denying Nebraska’s post players and getting good floor movement from her post players, especially Tamika Jackson and Riddle.

During the 67-57 win at Kansas on Wednesday, Stein, in a rare move, played Jackson and Riddle at the same time. Jackson, who was in for forward Carlynn Savant, added six points.

“Tamika and Tish do a good job of that,” Stein said. “Having both of them in the game at the same time is a good possibility obviously, depending on how Carlynn’s playing defensively.”

Stein also said that forward K-Kay Pickens adds quickness to the floor and could be a key reserve. Nebraska’s bench is about 10 players strong and has the potential to wear down the Tigers, Stein said.

If Nebraska beats Missouri, it has a good chance of winning its remaining conference games. Missouri ends its season with two tough opponents, Oklahoma and Kansas State.