Joplin, Mo. – The Missouri Southern women's basketball program claimed a 61-45 win tonight over Washburn inside the Leggett & Platt Athletic Center for the programs first win of 2023.
The Lions (13-4, 5-4 MIAA) were led by
Lacy Stokes with 18 points, five assists and five steals.
Madi Stokes notched her third double-double of the season and 17th of her career to move past Suzanne Sutton (83-86) and Caryn Schumaker (87-91) for sole possession of third in program history for the category.
Hailey Grant led the bench unit with nine points while
Amaya Johns had seven rebounds to lead the bench effort.
Washburn (7-7, 3-5 MIAA) was led by Lakyn Schieferecke with 10 points, while Aubree Dewey had a team-high seven rebounds and four assists. Macy Doebele led the bench effort with six points while Yiibari Nwidadah had six rebounds.
As a team the Lions held the advantage in field goal percentage 40.0-25.0, three pointers made 6-3, three point percentage 28.6-15.0, rebounds 43-37, offensive rebounds 12-11, defensive rebounds 31-26, assists 11-6, steals 11-5, blocks 4-0, bench points 19-16, fast break points 13-2, points off turnovers 15-14, points in the paint 30-18, second chance points 11-7 and forced 16 turnovers while holding a lead for 21:32 of the game.
In the first quarter it was a low scoring affair at the quarterly media timeout at 4:20 at 5-5 following a
Layne Skiles jumper with
Kaitlin Hunnicutt picking up the assist. Coming out of the media timeout the two teams would be tied two more times before Washburn held a 13-12 lead heading into the second quarter.
The second quarter saw the Lions take their first lead of the game at 9:15 thanks to a
Madi Stokes layup with Grant picking up the assist, and would get a lead up to two (21-19) in the quarter with 2:09 left following a
Kryslyn Jones three with Lacy picking up her second assist of the game. Johns would make a free throw with 24 seconds left in the half to make it tied up 22-22 heading into the intermission.
Coming out of the half Southern used an 8-3 run capped off by Lacy converting a driving layup at 5:48 to make it a five point game, 30-25. Washburn would get to within two but a 14-7 run to close the quarter by the Lions that included a buzzer beating three by Lacy with
Layne Skiles picking up the assist made it 44-35.
The Lions would utilize another 8-2 run early in the fourth with a Jones driving layup making it a 15 point game, 52-37 with 5:55 remaining. Following that layup the Lions would coast to a 61-45 win.
Up next for the Lions will be Emporia State on Saturday with tip off from the Leggett & Platt Athletic Center set for 1:30pm.
Career Updates
Lacy Stokes - Moved past Melissa Grider (93-96), Anita Rank (84-88), Teresa McLaury (92-95) and KaTonya Samuels for seventh in steals with 153. Became the 21st Lion in program history with 900 career points joining teammate
Layne Skiles.
Madi Stokes – Passed Danielle DeVader (05-09) for 29th in career scoring with 846.
Class Update
Lacy Stokes – Moved into third for steals as a sophomore passing Carol Koenig (03-04), Teresa McLaury (93-94), Chara Oldfield (97-98) and Robin Kantin (05-06) with 52 this season. Honey Scott (91-92) is second with 53 and the sophomore record is held by Suzanne Sutton (84-85) with 91 the fourth most in a single-season.
Madi Stokes – Moved into a tie for fourth for blocks as a junior with Mari Scott (95-96).
The Missouri Southern women's basketball season is presented by People's Bank of Seneca, a proud supporter of Lion Athletics.
