Edmond, Okla. - The Missouri Southern Women's Basketball traveled to Edmond, Oklahoma to take on the Bronchos of Central Oklahoma in a conference matchup. The Lions defense fought off a late Broncho comeback to defeat the Brochos 64-58, winning their 14th straight game this season. The MIAA-leading Lions advance to 17-4 (13-2 MIAA) on the season.
It was a slow start for both teams as it was only a 6-3 lead for Lions after six minutes of play. The Lions returned with a 7-0 run to take a 11-3 lead with 1:27 remaining in the quarter. It was sloppy play for both teams throughout the first as there were a combined 20 turnovers in the first quarter, 12 from Central Oklahoma and 8 from Missouri Southern. Offensively, the Lions were able to convert 6-16 (37.5%) from the field as defensively they held the Bronchos to 2-9 (22.2%) shooting. Fortunately for the Lions, they were able to walk out of the quarter with a 14-7 lead.
Brandi Hudson led the Lions in scoring in the first with four points (2-3 FG), one rebounds and a steal.
The second quarter began alot like the first as the Lions could not find the bottom the bucket, shooting 1-11 (10%) from the field in the first six minutes of play. The Lions defense was the key to their lead as they had forced two turnovers and only allowed the Bronchos to convert 2-10 (20.0%) of their shots through the same six minutes. Head coach
Ronnie Ressel called a timeout with 3:42 remaining in the half as his Lions committed four turnovers to that point as the Lions still maintained a seven point 18-11 lead. The Lions were able to finish out the half on a 9-4 run despite the slow offense to take a 27-15 lead. The Lions defense was great, forcing 15 Bronchos turnovers and holding them to 6-27 (22.2%) from the field at the half.
Ryan Franklin led the Lions at the half with six points (3-6 FG), five rebounds and a block.
The Lions began to find their way in the third as they went on a 11-0 run to begin the quarter, not allowing the Bronchos to score in the first six and a half minutes of play. The Lions defense was outstanding to begin the third, forcing seven Broncho turnovers in the perfect six minute stretch. The Bronchos began to turn it on to end the third quarter on a 18-7 run as the Lions were struggling offensively once again. The Lions went into the final quarter with a 45-33 lead.
Ryan Franklin kept the Lions alive early in the fourth with two huge offensive rebounds that turned into three second chance points in the first two minutes of play. After the Bronchos decreased their deficit to 10 points, the Lions went on a crucial 5-0 run with a three from
Morgan Meyers and a layup from
Kryslyn Jones to take a 53-38 lead with 6:54 remaining in the ball game. The Bronchos began to take control, forcing seven Lion turnovers and returning with a 20-8 run to bring the game to game to within three points as the Lions held a 61-58 lead with only 49 seconds remaining. With 27 seconds remaining, the Bronchos fouled
Kaitlin Hunnicutt who drilled both of her free throws to bring the lead to five. A missed Broncho three-pointer turned into free throws for
Hannah Burg, which she converted one and ended the game in a victory for the Lions, 64-58.
Two Lions finished in double-digits in the victory.
Ryan Franklin led the Lions with her fourth double-double of the season, posting 15 points (6-10 FG, 3-4 FT), 12 rebounds and two blocks.
Hannah Burg finished with 10 points (2-6 FG, 5-7 FT), eight rebounds and five steals.
Morgan Meyers had some clutch threes, finishing with nie points (3-4 3P), two rebounds and a steal. The Lions defense was the key to the win, converting 25 Broncho turnovers into 19 points. The Lions also dominated the second chance point category, converting 16 second chance points compared to the Bronchos' two.
The MSSU Women's Basketball team heads back to Joplin for a three-game homestand, starting with Lincoln on Thursday, February 8, at 5:30 PM 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.
