Final: Baylor 71 Missouri 65

[YCN]

A closer score than I expected.

[spooky]

Yeah, it did end up a little closer than I thought. BU led by 10-12 consistently through the middle of the game, then went a little cold while Karensa Barr went nuts from 3-point land to get it as close as 5. Missouri doesn't have alot of scorers other than Unrau and Barr, but the play hard and smart, and will definitely pull an upset or two this year.

Steffanie Blackmon and Sophia Young each had 22, with 10 rebounds for Sophia. I'd say a double-double in your first Big 12 game is pretty decent. I thought it would be a long time before I found someone as fun to watch night in and night out as Sheila Lambert, but Sophia is right there. She's only been playing basketball for 4 years, and she's not real polished offensively, but is so athletic and energetic.

Dionne Brown also got her first action tonight. She's definitely a little rusty, but should be a big help. You Raider fans be nice to her in Lubbock on Saturday, okay :-)

[Jennifer]

I had to go look up Sophia's bio--just who is this girl putting up great numbers? Looks like KMR got a steal with her. Sounds like a great young lady as well.

Selected Baylor over Nicholls State, Centenary, Arkansas-Little Rock and Arkansas-Monticello ... Chose Baylor because of its Christian environment and the basketball program is getting off to a good start ... Felt that this is where God wanted her to be ... Enjoys reading postcards and hanging out with friends in her spare time.

[Bob_Ballew]

Jennifer, Sophia was not highly recruited since she was an exchange student at a private school in Shreveport. I believe that she only played her senior year there. She is a tremendous athlete. Her leaping abilities are unreal and she will only get better with time. She has very long arms and creates turnovers on the defensive end. If she is in the area of the rebound you can almost bet she is going to come down with it. Being a freshman, she is not starting right now, but she will see a great deal of playing time. She will be a Hoopla regular for me just like Sheila Lambert last year!

She logged 24 minutes tonight and recorded her seventh double double of the season with 22 points and 10 rebounds.

[This message has been edited by Zo3157 (edited 01-08-2003).]

[This message has been edited by Zo3157 (edited 01-08-2003).]