Tigers get much needed win

By Jeff Stoffey

Winning in the Big 12 is not easy. Currently, six teams are ranked in the conference. Even the teams at the bottom of the standings have the ability to knock off teams at the top.

The Missouri Tigers proved that on Saturday. After losing their first four conference games, the Tigers beat No. 10 Baylor 70-62 at Mizzou Arena. A loss would have given Tigers coach Cindy Stein the worst start to conference play in her career. Instead, this game may give the Tigers some momentum going into the rest of their schedule. Here are a few thoughts on the big win and what lies ahead for the Tigers.

• Who is Jasmyn Otote? If you were at the game Saturday you definitely know who she is. The Missouri junior brought the Tigers back in the game with her four straight 3-pointers in the first half. I expect her to see more playing time the rest of the season.
• Is Brittney Griner overrated? This game is hard to gauge how dominant Griner is. She never got anything going after missing most of the first half because of foul trouble. While she did not impress me when she was playing, I’ll hold off on calling her overrated. Before the foul trouble her presence was clearly affecting the Tigers.
• Why didn’t Baylor get the ball to Griner more in the second half? First off, the Tigers did a great job defending her. Physical play caused Griner to look soft at times. But late in the game the Bears were lobbing the ball up to her and she came down with it every time. If the Bears would have given Griner the ball more, the Tigers might still be winless in conference play.
• Jessra Johnson sticking to her strengths. The Tigers senior has been nearly unstoppable inside the arc the past two games. While shooting 3-pointers isn’t her forte, she did make her only attempt Saturday. She is now back in the starting lineup and looking confident.
• Amanda Hanneman may have found her shot. Hanneman has struggled since being reinstated. The two 3-pointers she made has to be a sigh of relief for her and Stein.
• Turning point in the season? For one game the Tigers showed that they can compete in the Big 12. Will the Tigers continue to roll? It will be tough—the Tigers travel to No. 12 Oklahoma State on Tuesday.

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