Joplin, Mo. - The Missouri Southern Women's Basketball hosted the Bearcats of Northwest Missouri in the final game of the 2023-24 regular season. A huge first half gave the Bearcats enough of a lead as they fought the Lions off a comeback to defeat Southern, 69-62. The Lions end the regular season with a 20-8 (16-6 MIAA) record which places them fourth going into the MIAA Conference Tournament in Kansas City.

The Lions had a tough time offensively in the first five minutes of play, going 1-6 from the field while the Bearcats could not miss to take a 13-5 lead over the Lions. Brandi Hudson began her takeover in the remaining minutes, scoring all eight of her first quarter points and assisting the Lions in narrowing their deficit to 22-17 going into the second quarter.

The second quarter began like the first as the Bearcats went on a 10-2 run to increase their lead to 32-19 with 6:12 until halftime. It seemed that the Bearcats had an answer for every Lion bucket with two of their own as they continued to control both ends of the floor and finished a huge second quarter with a 41-27 lead over the Lions. Brandi Hudson led the Lions at half with 10 points (4-5 FG, 2-4 FT) and five rebounds.

The Lions came out with a different approach in the second half and began the third with a 5-0 run to narrow the deficit to 41-32 with 7:06 left. The Lions defense was dominant in the third, forcing 10 Bearcat turnovers in the first eight minutes of play and only allowing them one field goal in that time. The Lions had a tough time using their defense to their advantage as they could only score a Morgan Meyers three and two Maggie Sockey free throws in the remainder of the quarter as the Lions trailed the Bearcats 47-37 at the end of three quarters.

Both teams were trading baskets throughout the first eight i=minutes of the remaining quarter as the Lions could only cut into the Bearcats lead by one, 63-54, with 2:11 remaining in the game. The Lions then went on a 6-0 run, five of which came from Maggie Sockey, to bring the game within three with 42 seconds remaining. With little time remaining the Lions were forced to foul, to which the Bearcats took complete control of as they went on a 6-0 run off free throws and as they could not convert offensively. The Bearcats ultimately got the best of the Lions and won, 69-62. 

Three Lions finished in double-digits in the win. Brandi Hudson led the Lions with 17 points (5-11, 7-10 FT), seven rebounds and three steals. Maggie Sockey finished with 11 points (4-8 FG, 3-3 FT), one rebound and an assist. Kryslyn Jones rounded out the double-digit scoring with 10 points (4-12 FG) and two assists. 

The MSSU Women's Basketball team will head to Kansas City, Missouri to begin postseason play at the MIAA Tournament as they are set to face conference rival Pittsburg State on Friday, March 8 at 12:00 PM in a win or go home contest in the historical Municipal Auditorium.

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