OU Women Narrowly Avoid Upset to Missouri

Originally Published: Jan 20, 2010 9:12 PM CDT

Corey DeMoss
Oklahoma Sports Staff Writer

COLUMBIA, Missouri – Amanda Thompson pulled down an offensive rebound after her own shot and put back a lay-up with less than 10 seconds remaining to give the Oklahoma women a 62-61 victory over Missouri Wednesday.

Thompson’s basket came at the end of game that remained close from start to finish. There were a total of 14 lead changes and 10 ties, and the largest lead either team had was Missouri’s nine-point advantage in the first half.

OU (13-4, 3-1) started hot on the offensive end, hitting nine of its first 15 shots. But the Sooners struggled with sloppy play and low energy for the rest of the half, resulting in 14 turnovers and a 30-25 deficit going into halftime.

The Sooners came out of the locker room quickly as the second half began. They built leads of six points and five points, but could not put Missouri (10-7, 0-4) away either time. After OU took the lead early in the half, the Tigers did not retake the advantage until two free-throws put them up 55-54. The two teams went back and forth for the rest of the half.

Nyeshia Stevenson carried the Sooners’ offense in the second half. She finished with a total of 23 points, her second game in a row with more than 20 points, and scored 17 in the second half. Danielle Robinson finished with 16 points and Amanda Thompson added 13.

Jessra Johnson led Missouri with 18 points, and a total of four Tigers scored in double digits. The Sooners have now won three of their last four games, while Mizzou has lost its last five after winning seven consecutive games.

OU will return to Norman Saturday to take on Kansas at 2 p.m.