Joplin, Mo. – The fifth ranked Missouri Southern women's basketball program fought for a 75-69 win today over Missouri Western inside the Leggett & Platt Athletic Center to end the first week of MIAA play.

Southern (9-0, 2-0 MIAA) was led by Lacy Stokes with 18 points going 6-of-7 from free throws while providing six assists, grabbing four rebounds and coming away with three steals. Kryslyn Jones had 15 points going 3-of-5 from three to go with four steals and four rebounds. Hailey Grant was the leading scorer from the bench finishing with 13 points and four rebounds while tying with Layne Skiles for the team lead for blocks with two each. Madi Stokes was the top rebounder for the Lions finishing with 13 and five points while providing two assists.

Missouri Western (6-3, 1-1 MIAA) was led by Brionna Budgetts with 19 points, eight rebounds and two steals, Connie Clarke picked up a double-double with 16 rebounds, 13 points and six assists and Mary Fultz scored 10 points and grabbed seven rebounds. 

In the first quarter the Lions fell behind at one point by eight (10-2) before cutting it to one at 10-9 with 2:25 left in the quarter following a made free throw by Lacy. Mia Topping would tie it up 13-13 and a Grant driving layup with 39 seconds left in the quarter propelled the Lions to a 15-13 quarter lead.

Southern would get out to a fast start in the second quarter with a 12-4 run capped off by an Amaya Johns three making it a ten point lead 27-17. The Lions would see the lead get down to one (35-34) but would head into the halftime break ahead for the ninth straight game.

Missouri Western would get the lead in the second half early and got it up to four (43-39) at 6:23 following a Clarke layup. Johns would pull the Lions even at 43 with 2:06 with a pair of free throws and a Grant turn around jumper tied it with 43 seconds left but for the first time all season the Lions ended the third quarter trailing 47-45.

In the fourth quarter Grant would get the Lions even again this time at 52 all with 7:30 left, the Griffons would sink six-of-eight free throws attempted to take a 58-55 lead with 4:55 remaining following a Skiles three.  The Griffons would get the lead up to six (65-59) with 3:20 left following a Budgetts three and set the stage for an entertaining last three minutes.

The Stokes' would get the fans inside the Leggett & Platt Athletic Center on their feet as Madi assisted Lacy at 2:55 with Lacy converting the and-one to jump start an 8-0 run with Lacy sending the Lions ahead 67-65 with 1:55 left in the game. Clarke would respond for the Griffons to tie it but a layup by Madi Stokes with Lacy picking up the assist this time started an 8-0 run capped off by a pair of free throws by Layne Skiles with 11 seconds to make it 75-67 and out of reach for the Griffons.

As a team the Lions held the advantage in three point percentage (31.3-25.0), free throw percentage (80.0-66.7), free throws made (24-10), steals (9-4), blocks (5-4), bench points (28-14), points off turnovers (18-5), while fast break points were tied (8-8).

Layne Skiles is now tied with Jolea Apon (08-10) for career three pointers made with 142 in their careers, Madi Stoke now has 705 career rebounds becoming the first Lion since Anita Rank (84-88) and fifth player overall in program history to eclipse 700 career rebounds and with her performance today she has also eclipsed 150 career blocks as well.

Lacy Stokes moved into 14th in career assists passing Tommie Horton (1991-95) and Becky Fly Woods (1982-86) today and has 230 assists in her career. Lacy also moved into 14th in career steals passing LaDonna Wilson (1983-87) and has 125 currently. 

Next up for the Lions will be Central Oklahoma and Newman on the road next week. The Bronchos are 4-2, 1-1 MIAA so far after today and tip-off from Hamilton Field House is set for 5:30pm on Thursday. The Jets are 4-3, 1-1 MIAA so far after today and tip-off from Fugate Gymnasium is set for 1:30pm on Saturday.

The Missouri Southern women's basketball season is presented by People's Bank of Seneca, a proud supporter of Lion Athletics.