Jan. 30, 2007

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#13/#11 Baylor (18-3, 5-2) vs. Missouri (14-6, 2-5)

Wednesday, Jan. 31 - 7 p.m. (CT)
Ferrell Center - Waco, Texas

OVER THE AIRWAVES
Internet Feeds
Video: Live video stream at BaylorBears.com
Audio: Live audio stream at BaylorBears.com

Radio: KRZI/ESPN - 1660 AM - Waco
KVCE - 1160 AM - Dallas

Radio Talent:
Rick May, play-by-play
Lori Fogleman, color analyst

BAYLOR LADY BEARS

IN THE POLLS
13 - Associated Press
11 - USA Today/ESPN Coaches

PROBABLE STARTERS
Angela Tisdale - Jr., G, 5-5 - 10.6 ppg, 4.1 apg
Latara Darrett - Fr., G, 5-10 - 8.2 ppg, 3.1 rpg
Jessica Morrow - So., G, 6-2 - 9.5 ppg, 3.0 rpg
Rachel Allison - So., P, 6-1 - 7.3 ppg, 6.9 rpg
Bernice Mosby - Sr., P, 6-1 - 19.1 ppg, 9.4 rpg

MISSOURI TIGERS

IN THE POLLS
NR - Associated Press
NR - USA Today/ESPN Coaches

PROBABLE STARTERS
Blair Hardiek - Sr., G, 5-7 - 5.5 ppg, 2.2 apg
Tiffany Brooks - Sr., G, 5-11 - 13.4 ppg, 3.7 rpg
Alyssa Hollins - So., G, 6-0 - 11.8 ppg, 2.8 rpg
Carlynn Savant - Sr., F, 6-1 - 11.7 ppg, 7.5 rpg
EeTisha Riddle - Sr., C, 6-3 - 16.0 ppg, 8.2 rpg

BAYLOR VS. MISSOURI...
Wednesday's matchup between Baylor and Missouri will feature two squads with opposite experience levels. Baylor's roster features six newcomers and only three upperclassmen, while the Tigers have seven seniors, four of whom are starters, a junior, two sophomores and four freshmen on their roster.

The contest marks the Lady Bears' lone home game in stretch where they will play four of five games away from Waco beginning with last Wednesday's 63-59 victory at Texas and a 66-55 Saturday afternoon win at Oklahoma State. Following tonight's game, Baylor plays at No. 22 Nebraska (Feb. 3) and at Texas Tech (Feb. 7).

Baylor, 18-3 on the season and 5-2 in Big 12 play, remained at No. 13 in the most recent AP poll after road victories over No. 24 Texas (63-59) and Oklahoma State.

Baylor ranks No. 1 nationally in blocked shots and will try to maintain that ranking as it hosts the Tigers.

Missouri, 14-6 on the season and 2-5 in conference action, snapped a four-game losing streak when it posted a home win over Colorado (61-48) on Sunday afternoon.

HILLCREST "GO RED FOR WOMEN DAY"...
In conjunction with Hillcrest Hospital's celebration of "Go Red For Women Day," Baylor fans are encouraged to wear red to Wednesday's game to show your support for research in women's heart disease.

Also, Carol Reeves Brandenburg, former Lady Bear basketball player and recent inductee into the Baylor Athletic Hall of Fame, will be presented as a "B" Association legend.

HEAD COACH Kim Mulkey...
When Women's Basketball Hall of Famer Kim Mulkey accepted the position of women's head basketball coach at Baylor University, few could have predicted the dramatic and prestigious turn the program was about to take. In just six years at Baylor, the former All-American and Olympic Gold medalist has guided the Lady Bear basketball program to the pinnacle of women's basketball, the 2005 NCAA national championship, five NCAA Tournament appearances and six 20-win seasons.

The 2005 national title was Baylor's first for a women's team sport and the only basketball national title, men's or women's, in the Big 12 Conference's 10-year history.

In winning the 2005 title, Mulkey became the first person, man or woman, to win a basketball national championship as a player, assistant coach and head coach.

En route to the NCAA championship, the Lady Bears won their first Big 12 Conference championship and were the league's tournament champion as well. Mulkey has produced amazing results since taking over the reins of the program on April 4, 2000, averaging 26.1 wins a season. In her seven years at the program's helm, she has posted an impressive 175-48 (.785) record which ranks her No. 7 nationally in winning percentage.

Since taking over a squad that was just 7-20 the season prior to her arrival, Mulkey has guided the Lady Bears to six postseason appearances, including five NCAA Tournaments and a trip to the 2003 WNIT finals. In 2004, the Lady Bears made their first trip to the NCAA Sweet 16 and have now played in three straight Sweet 16s.

On Dec. 28, Mulkey became the winningest coach in Baylor women's basketball history with the squad's 89-40 victory over North Carolina A&T. Pam Bowers previously held the record with 168 wins which she accomplished in 15 seasons.

THE LADY BEARS...
The Baylor Lady Bears continue Big 12 Conference action after playing their most challenging non-conference schedule in program history. Baylor played three teams ranked among the Associated Press' top 25 (No. 9 LSU, No. 12 Purdue, No. 22 BYU) and two others who were receiving votes (Hofstra, UCLA). All told, Baylor has played seven ranked opponents, including four during Big 12 Conference action (No. 8 Oklahoma, No. 19 Texas A&M, No. 24 Texas, No. 25 Kansas State).

Through 21 games, two players are averaging double-digit scoring but the Lady Bears have plenty of balance as six players contribute 7.0 or more points a game.

Senior All-America candidate Bernice Mosby leads the way with 19.1 a game, ranking No. 2 among Big 12 players, and junior point guard Angela Tisdale scores 10.6 points. Sophomore guard Jessica Morrow manages 9.5, freshman post Danielle Wilson scores 8.9 an outing while freshman Latara Darrett tallies 8.3 and sophomore post Rachel Allison scores 7.3.

Mosby is averaging a team-leading 9.4 rebounds a game while Allison is the squad's second-leading rebounder with 6.9 a contest and is followed by Wilson's 5.7.

NO. 1 IN NCAA BLOCKING STATISTICS...
The Lady Bears come into the contest ranked No. 1 in NCAA Division I statistics (through games of Jan. 28) in blocked shots per game at 7.9. Undefeated and top-ranked Duke is No. 2 (7.4) while second-ranked North Carolina sits at No. 3 with 7.2 an outing. In total blocks through games of Jan. 28, Baylor's 165 rejections rank No. 1, tied with North Carolina.

With its 165 blocks, Baylor has rejected 44 more shots on the season than its nearest Big 12 opponent (Kansas State, 121).

ALL-AMERICA CANDIDATE Bernice Mosby ...
Senior transfer Bernice Mosby, an All-America candidate, was named Preseason Newcomer of the Year by the Big 12 coaches and was recently one of four players added to the WBCA's 2007 Wade Trophy watch list.

Mosby, in her two-plus seasons at the University of Florida, averaged 13.5 points and 7.5 rebounds a game. She averaged a team-leading 15.5 points, 8.6 rebounds and 30.3 minutes a game as a junior before leaving the team in late March. She amassed 1,124 points and 625 rebounds at Florida and was voted 2004 Southeastern Conference Sixth Woman of the Year. Mosby was also named to the 2003 SEC All-Freshman team and second-team all-SEC by the coaches and media in 2005.

Since her arrival at Baylor she has stepped up her averages and leads the Lady Bears and is one of the top players in the Big 12 at 19.1 points and 9.4 rebounds a game. She has produced 79 double-figure scoring, 32 double-figure rebounding games and 27 double-doubles throughout her career.

Even more impressive this season are her numbers versus Baylor's seven ranked opponents, 24.9 points and 11.9 rebounds per game. In addition, Mosby leads the Big 12 in scoring for league games only (21.4)

MOSBY ADDED TO WADE WATCH LIST... Senior forward Bernice Mosby was one of four players recently added to the Women's Basketball Coaches Association's Wade Trophy watch list. Mosby is one of three Big 12 Conference players on the list, joining Oklahoma's Courtney Paris and Texas' Tiffany Jackson.

FRESHMAN REJECTION...
When she's in the game, freshman post Danielle Wilson has the ability to alter the opponent's game plan. In 21 games, Wilson has used her expansive wing span (82 1/4") to block a team-leading 62 shots for an average of 2.95 an outing. In fact, Wilson has recorded at least two blocks in 16-of-21 games and at least one block in every game this season and has blocked five or more five times (North Texas, BYU, Purdue, North Carolina A&T, Texas A&M).

In addition, Wilson ranks No. 2 in the Big 12 and No. 13 in NCAA Division I statistics in blocked shots at 2.95 per outing. In total blocks on the season, Wilson sits at No. 13 nationally with 62. Only two freshmen have registered more blocks this season than Wilson, Michigan State's 6-9 Allyssa DeHaan has 96 to rank No. 2 nationally and Xavier's Amber Harris (6-5) sits at No. 3 with 79.

With her five blocks against North Carolina A&T, Wilson cracked BU's single season top 10. Now with 62 on the season, she sits at No. 2 after passing Steffanie Blackmon's 58 which she achieved in the 2002-03 season. Carol Reeves Brandenburg, a recent inductee into Baylor's Athletic Hall of Fame, owns the top spot at 76 in the 1979-80 season.

Wilson needs just seven more blocks to crack BU's career top 10.

BAYLOR QUICK HITS...
- Baylor ranks No. 1 in NCAA Division I statistics in blocked shots at 7.9 a game (through game of Jan. 28).
- Since her arrival at Baylor, Kim Mulkey has posted the most victories (175) and the best winning percentage (.785) among Big 12 coaches.
- Senior All-America candidate Bernice Mosby averages 24.9 points and 11.9 rebounds a game versus ranked teams this season. The Lady Bears have played seven ranked opponents.
- Four Lady Bears have posted double-doubles this season: Bernice Mosby (10 - UNT, Hofstra, Purdue, LSU, SEMO, Kansas, Oklahoma, Texas), Rachel Allison (2, UAPB, Oklahoma State), Danielle Wilson (2 - LSU & NCAT) and Angela Tisdale (SDSU).
- Sophomore Rachel Allison recorded her first career double-double versus Arkansas-Pine Bluff with 13 points and 10 rebounds and added another against Oklahoma State (14p, 12r).
- Two freshmen, Danielle Wilson (62) and Bradley (20), have combined for just under half of Baylor's blocked shots, 82-of-164. Senior Bernice Mosby has added 28 as well while Jessica Morrow tallied 17.
- Prior to the Oklahoma game, Angela Tisdale had hit 17-of-39 (.436) from 3-point range over the previous eight games but was 0-5 versus the Sooners, 0-2 against Texas A&M, and 1-4 in the Kansas State game, 0-3 versus Texas and 1-for 3 against OSU. That's 2-of-17 (.118) over the past five games.
- Danielle Wilson, a Big 12 Conference Freshman of the Year candidate, ranks No. 13 nationally in blocked shots (62) and is No. 2 on Baylor's single season top 10. She recently passed Steffanie Blackmon's 58, which she achieved in the 2002-03 season. Carol Reeves Brandenburg owns the top spot at 76 in the 1979-80 season.
- Wilson needs just seven more blocked shots to crack Baylor's career top 10.
- Baylor is 136-12 (.919) under Mulkey when scoring 70 or more points, including 85-3 (.966) when putting 80 or more on the scoreboard. In 2006-07, the Lady Bears are 13-0 when scoring 70 or more points, 9-0 when topping the 80-point barrier.
- Baylor is 77-13 (.856) since the start of the 2004-05 season with 10 of the 13 setbacks coming at the hands of nationally ranked opponents. Baylor's last eight losses have come to ranked opponents.
- Baylor players have earned Big 12 Rookie of the Week five of the 13 weeks the award has been selected. Wilson has two selections under her belt while Bernice Mosby has picked up the award twice and Latara Darrett garnered one.
- In its three losses this season, Baylor is 6-of-40 (.150) from 3-point range compared to .351 (72-205) percent beyond the arc in its 17 wins.
- Since beginning Big 12 play, BU has shot .387 (136-351) from the floor as opposed to .470 (427-908) in non-conference play.
- The Lady Bears shot .341 (56-164) from 3-point range in non-league play and have managed only .272 (22-81) in conference action.

BAYLOR IN BIG 12 GAMES...
The 2006-07 season marks the 11th year of competition for women's basketball in the Big 12 Conference. Baylor has a record of 97-70 all-time in regular season Big 12 games. However, in Kim Mulkey's six-plus years, Baylor is 70-33 in Big 12 play and has never posted a losing conference record. In 2004-05 the Lady Bears claimed their first-ever Big 12 Conference championship, winning both the regular season and tournament titles.

2000-01 - 9-7
2001-02 - 12-4
2002-03 - 8-8
2003-04 - 10-6
2004-05 - 14-2
2005-06 - 12-4
2006-07 - 5-2

MULKEY VERSUS RANKED OPPONENTS...
With Baylor's victory over 24th-ranked Texas on Jan. 24, head coach Kim Mulkey is now 34-33 against ranked opponents, including a 4-3 record this season. Since a 69-55 loss to No. 15 Texas A&M during the 2004-05 season, Baylor is 18-8 versus ranked opponents.

SCOUTING THE TIGERS...
The Missouri Tigers, 14-6 on the season and 2-5 in conference action, snapped a four-game losing streak when it posted a home win over Colorado (61-48) on Sunday afternoon. The Tigers other Big 12 win came over Iowa State (66-56).

Missouri head coach Cindy Stein is in her ninth season as the Tigers' head coach and 12th year as a head coach overall. Stein is 147-113 in her nine seasons at Missouri and 212-138 in 12 campaigns all-told along the sidelines.

The Tigers have seven seniors, four of whom are starters, a junior, two sophomores and four freshmen on their roster. In addition, they list four Texans on their roster (Alyssa Hollins, Mesquite; Tamika Jackson, Galveston; Kaya Pickens, Houston; Carlynn Savant, Euless).

EeTisha Riddle, a 6-3 senior, leads four Tigers in double-digit scoring with 16.0 points a game and is also the squad's top rebounder at 8.2 an outing. Senior Tiffany Brooks follows with 13.4 points and Hollins, a sophomore contributes 11.8. Savant, a senior, tallies 11.7 points a game while ranking second in rebounding at 7.5.

SERIES RECORD...
Baylor and Missouri will meet for the 15th time when the two teams square off on Wednesday evening. Baylor leads the series 10-4 and prior to last year's Missouri victory, had won six straight. Last season Missouri broke Baylor's school-record 30-game win streak with a 64-61 triumph at Columbia.

The Lady Bears are 5-1 versus the Tigers in Waco. Missouri's lone Ferrell Center victory came on Jan . 2, 1990, 68-56. The Tigers have not won in Waco since the formation of the Big 12 Conference.

Mulkey owns a 6-1 record against Missouri and is 3-0 in Waco.

COMMON OPPONENTS...
The Lady Bears and the Tigers have faced seven common opponents so far this season, four in non-conference action and three Big 12 teams. Both teams posted non-league wins over Texas A&M-CC (BU 64-62, MU 89-60), South Dakota State (BU 71-53, MU 79-62), Prairie View A&M (BU 94-50, MU 89-55) and Arkansas-Pine Bluff (BU 100-48, MU 92-52). In league play, Baylor posted victories over Texas, Kansas State and Texas Tech while the Tigers are 0-3 versus those three teams.

PLAYERS VERSUS BIG 12 TEAMS...
With 11 players on their roster and six of them being newcomers, only five of the current Lady Bears have played against Big 12 opponents and only three have seen action against Missouri.

Angela Tisdale and LaToya Wyatt have each played in three games against the Tigers and Rachel Allison has appeared in one game versus Missouri.

In fact, the current Lady Bears have only combined for 20 points against the Tigers. Wyatt leads the way with 11 points while Tisdale has managed only seven and Allison scored two.