Perhaps it was the final home game for three of her closest friends that gave Smith the extra motivation to help the seniors walk off the court on a positive note in Missouri’s 78-61 win over No. 17 Colorado.

Smith, averaging 4.8 points entering the game, displayed scoring and defensive skills that have been dormant for most of the season. She provided the biggest lift among the substitutes during a key stretch in the second half.

Between the 10:30 and 8:03 mark in the second half the Tigers’ starting frontline of seniors Amanda Lassiter and Marlena Williams and freshman Evan Unrau each picked up their fourth foul and were forced to spend crucial minutes on the bench.

Smith spelled Williams by hitting two free throws and nailing a running jumper in the key.

"What’s going through my mind is that I have to be calm," said Smith, of Overland Park, Kan. "I stepped my game up a little bit and did all the little things.

"I think as a team we really capitalized on that the second half, boxing out and doing all the little things that will win us the game."

Smith scored a career-high 10 points, hitting 4 of 7 from the floor, and grabbed five rebounds in 20 minutes of action.

"Wannette played great," said Williams, who finished with 13 points but was limited to 17 minutes of playing time. "She ran the floor well and defended the post very well. She got a lot of cheap shots thrown in there, but she didn’t get a call. But she never gave up. I’m definitely proud of her."

At 6-foot-1, Smith had to go against a Colorado team that featured five players taller than her. Colorado post players were led by 6-4 center Britt Hartshorn, who had a team-high 15 points but was held in check by the smaller, yet more aggressive Smith.

"Defensively she gave us a huge lift because they’re tough," MU coach Cindy Stein said. "She was battling against kids a lot taller than she was, and she was doing a great job.

"Her providing those buckets for us showed us that she wanted the ball. And that’s what it comes down to - it’s kids wanting the ball in pressure situations."

Because of the bench production Colorado was never able to chip away at the Missouri lead. Without its starting frontcourt, the Tigers led by as many as 15 at 62-47 with 8:03 remaining.

"We couldn’t get a run started," CU guard Mandy Nightingale said. "Their second team is good just as well. I think they can beat the first team out."