Joplin, Mo. - A 23-point performance by senior Chelsey Henry along with a 48-percent total for the team helped the Missouri Southern Lions to defeat the unbeaten Henderson State Reddies, 79-69, inside the Leggett and Platt Athletic Center Friday afternoon.
 
Missouri Southern (2-2) fell behind early after registering seven turnovers in the first period to allow HSU (2-1) to score ten-points off of them and close out the period up by four (21-17). The Lions responded at the 6:12 mark of the second period with a 16-5 run to take its largest lead to that point and eventually go into halftime up eight (37-29).
 
Junior guard Chasidee Owens added 14 points and a team-high eight rebounds while freshman guard Amber Buch scored a season-high 11 points in 26 minutes on the floor. Sophomore Krista Clark registered 11 points, including five key free-throws from the line as the game winded down.
 
HSU cut into the Lions lead two with .38 seconds left in the third, but the Lions came right back with back-to-back buckets to close out the third period up 60-54 and would continue to hold their lead for the second victory of the season.
 
The Reddies were led by guard Pink Jones who recorded 20 points on 7 of 18 shooting to go with five assists, three rebounds, and two steals. Forward Brittany Branum added 14 off the bench on a 6-for-9 clip in the loss.
 
The Lions stand at 2-2 heading into Thanksgiving break where they will spend the time playing a pair of games in San Juan, Puerto Rico as part of the 2018 Puerto Rico Classic. They will face off against Puerto Rico-Rio Piedras (11/20) and Pontifical Catholic (11/21) in back-to-back days with the first game beginning at 11:00 am Central Time (1:00 pm ADT) and the second game tipping off at 9:00 am Central Time (11:00 am ADT). Live Audio will be available to hear about all the action taking place.