Joplin, Mo. – The Missouri Southern Women's Basketball team hosted the University of Central Oklahoma Bronchos in a conference matchup. The Lions' dominant defensive performance in the second quarter limited the Bronchos to just one point, paving the way for a 68-52 victory.
Missouri Southern (12-7, 4-3 MIAA) vs. Central Oklahoma (4-12, 3-4 MIAA)
Quarter 1: Missouri Southern 18 | Central Oklahoma 15
Kennady Roach sank two clutch free throws to halt a 5-0 Bronchos run that opened the first quarter. After both teams traded baskets,
Mackenzie Hart knocked down a step-back three-pointer that sparked a 7-0 Lions run to take an 11-9 lead with 3:39 remaining in the quarter. After the Bronchos reclaimed a 13-12 lead,
Morgan Meyers fueled a 6-3 run with four points and a steal to give the Lions a run to close the quarter with an 18-15 edge.
Quarter 2: Missouri Southern 35 | Central Oklahoma 16
The Lions defense held the Bronchos scoreless over the first four minutes of the second quarter, paving the way for a 9-0 run (
Mackenzie Hart-jumper and layup,
Makenna Yokley - layup,
Kaitlin Hunnicutt - jumper,
Reese Webb -free throw) to bring the Lions lead to 27-15. The Lions' dominance continued as
Grace Frazier caught fire, scoring six points during an 8-0 surge that pushed the lead to 35-15 with one minute remaining. The Bronchos broke their drought with a free throw, but the Lions' 17-0 run left them with a commanding 35-16 lead at halftime.
Quarter 3: Missouri Southern 51 | Central Oklahoma 34
The Bronchos opened the third quarter with a 12-0 run to narrow their deficit to 35-28 with 6:53 remaining. The Lions quickly responded with a 10-0 run off back-to-back layups from
Ava Pautz, a layup from
Reese Webb and
Makenna Yokley, and a jumper from
Veonce Powell. The Bronchos ended the Lions' run with a layup, bringing the score to 45-30 with 3:27 remaining in the quarter. The Lions extended their lead to 51-34 heading into the fourth quarter.
Quarter 4: Missouri Southern 68 | Central Oklahoma 52
Both teams traded baskets through the first four minutes of the fourth quarter as the Lions maintained a 17-point, 56-39 lead.
Kaitlin Hunnicutt and
Reese Webb each converted a basket to grow the Lions' lead to 58-39 with 4:27 remaining in the game. Southern maintained their lead until the final buzzer, securing a 68-52 victory over the Bronchos.
Missouri Southern Leaders:
Points: Mackenzie Hart - 14
Rebounds: Ava Pautz - 7
Assists: Grace Frazier - 3
Steals: Reese Webb - 4
Blocks: Ava Pautz - 3
Central Oklahoma Leaders:
Points: LaKysia Johnson - 18
Rebounds: Jordyn Turner - 7
Assists: Peyton Walker - 3
Steals: Peyton Walker, Korie Allensworth - 2
Blocks: Jordyn Turner - 2
Up Next:
Missouri Southern Women's Basketball team will host the Roger State University Hillcats on Saturday, January 18. Tip-off is set for 1:30 PM in Leggett and Platt Athletic Center.
-Lions-
