MU women look to build on upset win

“We just don’t want to upset Texas, we want to do this on a consistent basis. We want to be one of the league leaders,” Stein said following Missouri’s 68-52 upset over then-No. 12 Texas in MU’s home conference opener. The Longhorns have since fallen to No. 14 in the rankings.

Going to the game WHO: Missouri vs. Texas A&M WHAT: Big 12 Conference women's basketball WHEN: 7 p.m. tonight WHERE: Hearnes Center

The Tigers will face another tough conference team today when Texas A&M (11-2, 1-1 Big 12) comes to the Hearnes Center. The teams have identical conference records and have received votes in the Associated Press women’s basketball polls, with Missouri (10-3, 1-1) getting 18 votes and the Aggies 14.

“We have the toughest road to hoe as far as games we have to start out with,” said Stein. “You would prefer to have those games spread out throughout the schedule, but you don’t. You have to play the hand you’re dealt and that’s the way we’ve handled that.”

Texas A&M leads the conference in steals per game (15.92) and turnover margin (plus-9.17). They also bring one of the top scorers and rebounders in the conference in Jaynetta Saunders, who is averaging 19.6 points (No. 4 in the Big 12) 8.4 rebounds per game (No. 6 in the Big 12).

“She has been carrying our team all year,” said Texas A&M coach Peggie Gillom. “When she does well, we do well.”

Saunders, a 5-11 senior forward, came up big in the Aggies’ 67-65 win over Nebraska. She scored 30 points, including 19 in the second half, and finished with five rebounds and three steals.

“I’ve watched A&M a little bit and I know they have a tremendous player in Saunders,” Stein said. “They’re a very athletic team. Their speed is comparable to the best in the Big 12, but Texas is still the fastest team in the conference. They have similarities in that aspect.”

Forward Amanda Lassiter agrees with Stein.

“Texas A&M brings a lot of quickness to the court,” Lassiter said. “That means that they can put a lot of pressure on the ball and create turnovers. They’re a little cocky after the Nebraska win, but we have to defend our home court when they come here.”

Missouri will be looking forward to big numbers from its front court of Big 12 Rookie of the Week Evan Unrau, Marlena Williams and Amanda Lassiter, the No. 3 scorer in the conference (20.2 points per game). Against Texas the threesome scored a combined 47 points and grabbed 31 rebounds.

“Our team will have a tough time matching up with those three because we’re a small team,” Gillom said. “I’ve seen Lassiter mature. Last year she was a power forward and now she’s playing the three. She can play any position she wants. We’ll have do to something to combat Lassiter, Williams and that freshman (Unrau).”

Unrau, the Tigers only starting freshman, recorded her second double-double of the season (career-high 18 points, 13 rebounds) against Texas. The 6-foot-2 forward from Ft. Collins, Colo. leads the Tigers in shooting percentage (65 percent) and shot 80 percent from the field (8-for-10) against the Longhorns.

This was a big turnaround from her 1-for-5 shooting performance and two points in the 18-point loss at then-No. 13 (now-No. 11) Texas Tech last Wednesday.

“I still have a ton of learning to do,” said Unrau. “It’s an honor just to go to practice with these two (Lassiter and Williams) future WNBA stars. They have really helped me develop my game.”

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