Joplin, Mo. - The Missouri Southern Women's Basketball team hosted the Riverhawks of Northeastern State on Wednesday, January 24, in a conference matchup. The Lions held tough on both ends in the second half to grab their 11th straight victory on the season, defeating the Riverhawks, 72-44. The Lions advance to 14-4 (10-2 MIAA) on the season.

The Lions began the game by asserting their dominance on both ends of the floor. Both Kaitlin Hunnicutt and Hannah Burg began the game a perfect 2/2 from beyond the arch which built the momentum for the Lions to go on a 17-2 run in the first six and a half minutes of play. The Lions held the Riverhawks to only 23.1 percent (3-13 FG, 0-5 3P) from the field, while converting 50 percent (7-14 FG, 6-11 3P) of their own shots to take a 22-8 lead after 10 minutes of play. Kaitlin Hunnicutt was hot from beyond the arch, leading the Lions with nine points (3-5 FG, 3-5 3P).

The game took a sudden turn to begin the second as the Riverhawks began the quarter on a 11-1 run and the Lions found themselves struggling offensively, shooting 0/7 in the first six minutes. Ryan Franklin subbed into the game and immediately scored twice around the rim to help maintain a lead at 27-21 with 3:16 to go in the first half. The half ended in a 29-24 lead for the Lions despite the rough quarter on both ends. Kaitlin Hunnicutt finished the half with a team-high 11 points (3-7 FG, 3-7 3P), three rebounds and two assists. Ryan Franklin (3-5 FG) and Hannah Burg (2-2 FG, 2-2 3P) both finished the half with six a piece. 

The off-switch flipped back on for the Lions in the third as they began the game on a 14-4 run in the first five minutes of the quarter, converting 70 percent of their shots (7-10 FG) and allowing only 16.7 percent of the Riverhawks shots to fall. The Lions forced a game-high six Riverhawk turnovers that turned into 10 points on the other end in the third that turned into a 52-34 lead at the end of three quarters.

Missouri Southern kept their foot on the gas in the fourth as they outscored the Riverhawks 20-10 to win their 11th straight game of the season, defeating Northeastern State 72-44. 

Three Lions finished in double-digits in the victory. Ryan Franklin led the Lions with 23 points (11-16 FG), eight rebounds and four blocks. In her first career start, Hannah Burg was perfect from the field scoring 13 points (5-5 FG, 2-2 3P), four rebounds and three assists. Kaitlin Hunnicutt rounded out the double-digit scoring with 11 points (3-10 FG, 3-9 3P), four rebounds and two assists. The Lions held the Riverhawks to only 30.9% shooting from the field on the day.

The MSSU Women's Basketball team will stay in Joplin to host the Hillcats of Rogers State on Saturday, January 27, at 1:30 in Leggett and Platt Athletic Center.

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