Edmond, Okla. - The Missouri Southern women's basketball team battled all game and cut the lead to 11 with 1:22 left in the third quarter, but fell short to Central Oklahoma, 88-60, inside Hamilton Field House Saturday afternoon.
 
MSSU (11-7, 3-5 MIAA) received 13 points apiece by guard Krista Clark and Chasidee Owens as the duo went a combined 8-for-13 from the field. Clark led the squad with three steals. Senior guard Chelsey Henry added seven points and a team-high six rebounds and four assists in the loss.
 
UCO 12-6, (3-5 MIAA) jumped out on a 8-0 run to begin the game and increased its lead to 21 points heading into halftime on 47-percent shooting from both three-point range and everywhere else on the floor.
 
The Lions entered the fourth quarter down 14 after closing out the third on a 13-3 run capped off by a 3-pointer from Destiny Cozart. They came as close as eight points early in the first quarter, but was unable to slow the Bronchos down throughout both stretches.
 
Micayla Haynes recorded a team-high 17 points while Blake Blessington poured in 16 points towards the victory.
 
They will be back in action at home for a two-game stretch against Washburn on Wednesday at 5:30 pm and then Emporia State next Saturday at 1:30 pm.