Joplin, Mo. - The Missouri Southern Women's Basketball team hosted the Jennies of Central Missouri in a conference matchup. The Lions had a rough time putting together strings of offense as they lost their first game in 70 days to the Jennies, 78-65. The Lions advance to 18-5 (14-3 MIAA) on the season.
The Lions fought with the Jennies throughout the first quarter, not letting them take a significant lead. The Lions could not piece a run together offensively, and defensively was challenged by the size of the Jennies. After trailing by nine with 1:45 remaining,
Brandi Hudson and
Maggie Sockey both found the bottom of the bucket before the end of the quarter as the Lions trailed the Jennies 21-16 after one.
It was a rough start for the Lions in the second on both ends, as the Jennies went on a 12-4 run in the first six minutes of the quarter. The Jennies took advantage of the Lions' physicality on defense and was able to get to the free throw stripe eight times in the second quarter. The Lions contained the deficit from getting out-of-reach as they trailed the Jennies at half, 37-28.
Brandi Hudson led the Lions in scoring at the half with eight points (3-6 FG), two rebounds and a steal.
The Jennies continued to start hot, beginning the third on a 8-0 run as the Lions committed two turnovers and only got one shot off in the first two minutes of the second half. The Lions began to find some offense with two layups from
Brandi Hudson and a three-pointer from
Kryslyn Jones to bring the deficit to 47-35 with 6:07 remaining in the quarter. The Lions continued to hold even with the Jennies until the end of the quarter, but still trailed going in the final 10 minutes of play 55-42.
It was a game of who can make their free throws to begin the fourth as both teams shot a combined 14 free throws in the first five minutes of play. The Jennies knocked down two crucial threes to combine with their free throws to maintain a double-digit lead with five minutes to go. Unfortunately for the Lions, points were coming in one at a time as the free throw line became home for both teams throughout the entire quarter, shooting 23 combined free throws in the fourth quarter. The Lions could not make a dent into the Jennies lead as they fell to Central Missouri, 78-65.
Brandi Hudson was the only Lion to finish in double-digits on the day, scoring a career-high 27 points (8-11 FG, 11-11 FT), three steals and two rebounds.
Maggie Sockey finished the game with nine points (3-6 FG, 2-2 FT) two rebounds and two assists off the bench.
Reese Webb posted 7 points (2-4 FG, 3-4 FT) and five rebounds.
The MSSU Women's Basketball team will remain in Joplin to host Pittsburg State on Saturday, February 17, at 1:30 PM in Leggett and Platt Athletic Center for Pink Day.
The Missouri Southern women's basketball season is presented by People's Bank of Seneca, a proud supporter of Lion Athletics.
Â
