Missouri women win in overtime

The Missouri women’s basketball team scored the first 18 points of its game against UMKC on Saturday but needed overtime to beat the Kangaroos, 75-73, at Mizzou Arena.

The Tigers fell behind for the first time all game when Sarah Stewart drilled a three to put UMKC up 70-67 in overtime, but Jessra Johnson immediately answered with a three-point play to tie it. The Tigers built a 73-70 lead before Sierra Radke banked in a tying three with 32.6 seconds to play. MU got the win, though, when Shakara Jones pulled down an Alyssa Hollins miss and put it in with 6.1 seconds remaining.

The 1,011 fans at Mizzou Arena weren’t even thinking about the possibility with overtime with two minutes remaining and the Tigers leading by eight. But UMKC guard Sarah Stewart made a three-pointer with 22 seconds to play that trimmed MU’s lead to two. Hollins was immediately fouled and made both free throws to seemingly ice the game. But after a Jones block, Brittny Picconi hit a deep three to bring UMKC within one. After Jones calmly made both free throws she fouled Tarah Cullen as the UMKC guard was attempting the tying three. Cullen coolly stepped to the line and made all three to send the game to overtime.

The Tigers (6-4) capitalized on early miscues by the Kangaroos (5-6) and held them scoreless for the first 8:57. UMKC committed 10 turnovers in that span – only three of which came on MU steals – and took just eight shots.

Only six players scored for MU and the trio of Johnson, Hollins, Johnson and Jones scored 58 of MU’s points.

MU plays Illinois on Wednesday at Mizzou Arena.