Joplin, Mo. – The Missouri Southern Women's Basketball team hosted the Bulldogs of Southwestern Oklahoma State University in the final non-conference game of the season. A defensive battle culminated in the lowest combined score of the season, but a late push propelled the Lions to a 49-44 victory, securing their 10th win of the year.
Missouri Southern (10-5, 2-1 MIAA) vs. Southwestern Oklahoma State (6-5, 2-3 GAC)
Quarter 1: Missouri Southern 12 | Southwestern Oklahoma State 11
Both teams' defenses were sharp to start the game, resulting in five turnovers (three from the Bulldogs and two from the Lions) in the first three minutes. The Lions and Bulldogs traded baskets, with the Lions taking an 8-7 lead at the 3:00 minute mark. A low-scoring first quarter ended in the Lions' favor, 12-11, with
Ryan Franklin leading the team with four points.
Quarter 2: Missouri Southern 19 | Southwestern Oklahoma State 24
The Bulldogs opened the second quarter with two layups, taking a three-point lead, but
Kaitlin Hunnicutt responded with her first points of the game, a three-pointer, to tie the score at 15-15 with 6:00 remaining. After the Lions regained the lead at 19-17 with 4:18 left on two
Morgan Meyers free throws, the Bulldogs responded with a 7-0 run to close the quarter with a 24-19 lead.
Quarter 3: Missouri Southern 31 | Southwestern Oklahoma State 33
It was a slow start to the third quarter, with a 3-2 run by the Bulldogs in the first four minutes bringing the score to 27-21.
Mackenzie Hart hit her first three-pointer of the game to trim the Lions' deficit to three points, but the Bulldogs answered with a 4-0 run, extending their lead to 31-24 with 4:00 remaining. A defensive battle ensued, with neither team scoring until
Morgan Meyers sank a three-pointer with 1:17 left. After a quick two-point response from the Bulldogs,
Ryan Franklin (two free throws) and Hart (floater) capped a 4-0 Lions run, closing the gap to 33-31 as the quarter ended.
Quarter 4: Missouri Southern 49 | Southwestern Oklahoma State 44
After a layup from the Bulldogs to open the fourth, the Lions surged with a 9-0 run (
Reese Webb – layup,
Ryan Franklin – jumper and layup,
Morgan Meyers – three-pointer) to take a 40-35 lead with 6:27 remaining. The Bulldogs responded with a 5-0 run to tie the game at 40-40 with six minutes left. Meyers continued to connect from range, knocking down another three-pointer and a jumper as part of an 8-4 run, giving the Lions a 48-44 lead with 1:12 remaining. The Lions' defense shut down the Bulldogs in the final minutes, denying them a single basket and securing the win. The Lions would pick up their 10th win of the season, defeating the Bulldogs 49-44.
Missouri Southern Leaders:
Points: Morgan Meyers,
Ryan Franklin - 14
Rebounds: Reese Webb - 10
Assists: Mackenzie Hart - 6
Steals: Mackenzie Hart - 3
Blocks: Mackenzie Hart - 1
Southwestern Oklahoma State Leaders:
Points: Layni Zinn - 10
Rebounds: Hailey Grant - 10
Assists: Averi Zinn - 3
Steals: Libbi Zinn - 4
Blocks: Hailey Grant - 2
Up Next:
Missouri Southern Women's Basketball will return in the new year when they host the University of Arkansas-Fort Smith Lions on Saturday, January 4.Tip-off is set for 1:30 PM in Leggett & Platt Athletic Center.
-Lions-
