Oklahoma Puts Away Missouri, 73-59

NORMAN, Okla. -- Sophomore forward Leah Rush led three Sooners in double digits with a game-high tying 20 points as the Oklahoma women's basketball team handed Missouri a 73-59 loss Saturday inside the Lloyd Noble Center.

OU took its winning streak to three games and improved its overall record to 15-9 and moved to 7-6 in Big 12 play. Missouri dropped to 9-15 and 3-10.

Sophomore guard Erin Higgins, who tied a career high with six three-pointers, added 18 points while senior guard Lauren Shoush added a season-best 15 points.

After falling behind by two early, the Sooners went on a 20-4 run, led by Britney Brown's five points, to take a 30-16 lead with 8:27 remaining the first half. The Tigers countered though with a 14-7 run to end the first half. OU held a 37-30 halftime advantage.

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OU's lead was cut to eight points, 55-47, after a Missouri 7-0 run with 8:47 to play. Sooner coach Sherri Coale called a 30-second timeout moments later. OU pushed its advantage to 18 points, 71-53, following the timeout and never saw its lead fewer than 13.

Oklahoma vs. Missouri Game Highlights (O-Zone)

The Tigers played loose defense on the perimeter to keep senior All-America candidate Dionnah Jackson from scoring easy points in the paint. The pressure on Jackson opened lanes for Shoush and Laura Andrews. All of Andrews eight points came off of driving layups in the paint.

For the first time in seven games, Jackson ended the game with fewer than 10 points. She registered five points, dished out six assists and added six rebounds to her line while playing only 22 minutes. The Sooner point guard left the game with 10 minutes to play with a mild ankle sprain.

OU shot better than 50 percent from the field, hitting 28 of 54 field goals, for the second-straight game and fourth time this season. The Sooners also shot a sizzling 47.4 percent from the arc (9-19). Higgins (6), Shoush (2) and Brown (1) accounted for OU's threes.

Missouri was led by junior center Christelle N'Garsanet's 20 points and nine rebounds. Sophomore guard Tiffany Brooks was the Tigers' second-leading scorer with 16.

The Sooners return to action Wednesday as they host Texas Tech on Senior Appreciate Night at 7 p.m. Jackson and Shoush, OU's seniors, will play their final game inside the Lloyd Noble Center.

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