Kellie Harper seldom left a crouch in crunchtime.

From press row, the new Missouri women’s basketball coach was barely visible over the 90 seconds over the top of the scorer’s table and the team bench. She watched the one-score game with her palms fixed on her knees and kneecaps mere inches from the hardwood.

It was tough sledding at times. The Tigers may have to grit and grind out more games than they would like this season.

But Harper left her first official game on Norm Stewart Court all smiles with her two children at her side, as a 1-0 record went official as the Missouri alma mater played the team off the court.

Mizzou defeated the mid-major Sugar Bears 78-71 on Monday night at Mizzou Arena, and that, the coach made a point to emphasize, is going to be cause for celebration. N

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