Fort Smith, Ark.– The Missouri Southern Women's Basketball team traveled to take on the University of Arkansas-Fort Smith Lions in a conference matchup. Southern battled back in the second half to close the gap, and an offensive rally sent the game into overtime. Both teams fought hard, but a late three-pointer from Arkansas-Fort Smith forced a second overtime. In the extra period, Southern took control, stifling Arkansas-Fort Smith's efforts and securing the victory.
Missouri Southern (14-8,6-4MIAA) vs. Arkansas-Fort Smith (13-6, 7-2 MIAA)
Quarter 1: Missouri Southern 15 | Arkansas-Fort Smith 17
Grace Frazier ignited Southern's offense, fueling a 10-0 run.
Kaitlin Hunnicutt hit two three-pointers, while
Ryan Franklin added a layup. Arkansas-Fort Smith countered with a quick 6-point surge, cutting the lead to four at 10-4 midway through the quarter.
Makenna Yokley halted their momentum with a key jumper. Arkansas-Fort Smith rallied late to take a 17-15 lead at the quarter's end.
Quarter 2: Missouri Southern 39 | Arkansas-Fort Smith 43
Ryan Franklin sparked a quick solo 4-point run to put Southern back in the lead, 19-17, within the first minute. The teams exchanged baskets before
Grace Frazier and
Kaitlin Hunnicutt combined for a 6-point jump, pushing the lead to 25-21 with 6:36 left. At the 3:30 mark, Arkansas-Fort Smith answered with a 10-0 run to retake the lead, 35-30. Southern closed the gap to four points with a 5-0 run from a layup by Hunnicutt and a last-second deep shot from
Morgan Meyers. Missouri Southern trailed 43-39 at halftime.
Quarter 3: Missouri Southern 55 | Arkansas-Fort Smith 61
Arkansas-Fort Smith opened the second half with a layup, but
Kaitlin Hunnicutt answered with a three-pointer to keep Missouri Southern within three, 45-42. The teams traded baskets back and forth, but Missouri Southern mounted a rally with a three-pointer from
Grace Frazier and two layups from
Ryan Franklin, cutting the deficit to 52-51 with 2:32 remaining.
Quarter 4: Missouri Southern 79 | Arkansas-Fort Smith 79
Southern sparked the first rally with a 5-0 run, highlighted by a jumper from
Grace Frazier and a layup from
Makenna Yokley, pulling ahead 63-59. The teams exchanged points in a back-and-forth battle. With 50 seconds left, Morgan Meyer knocked down a three-pointer to give Southern a one-point lead, but Arkansas-Fort Smith quickly responded to retake a two-point advantage. In the final seconds,
Kaitlin Hunnicutt hit a clutch three-pointer to tie the game, 79-79 and send it into overtime.
Overtime 1: Missouri Southern 90 | Arkansas-Fort Smith 90
Both teams traded baskets, with
Ryan Franklin and
Reese Webb scoring layups for Southern. Arkansas-Fort Smith gained a slight lead, but
Kaitlin Hunnicutt answered with a crucial three-pointer, bringing Southern within one at 87-86. With 17 seconds remaining,
Grace Frazier put Southern ahead with a clutch jumper, giving them a one-point lead at 88-87, followed by two made free throws. Arkansas-Fort Smith sank a three-pointer to send the game into double overtime.
Overtime 2: Missouri Southern 103 | Arkansas-Fort Smith 96
Southern took control in double overtime, with
Grace Frazier sinking two free throws, followed by a basket from
Ryan Franklin, pushing their lead to four at 94-90. Arkansas-Fort Smith answered with a quick basket, but
Mia Topping responded with a clutch jumper to halt their momentum.
Morgan Meyers extended Southern's lead with a deep three-pointer at 1:51, making it 99-92. Southern maintained their advantage and closed out the game. Frazier would hit her season high scoring with 24 points and secured the victory 103-96.
Grace Frazier set a new career high with 24 points, and
Reese Webb recorded a season-high in rebounds with 13.
Missouri Southern Leaders:
Points:
Kaitlin Hunnicutt - 25
Rebounds:
Reese Webb – 13 (season high)
Assists: Grace Frazier /
Morgan Meyers - 5
Steals: Three Tied - 3
Blocks: Ryan Franklin /
Makenna Yokley - 1
Arkansas-Fort Smith Leaders:
Points: Morgan Browning - 22
Rebounds: Layne Kirkendoll - 11
Assists: Telisha Brown - 4
Steals: Zyniah Thomas - 4
Blocks: Daijah Smith - 2
Up Next:
Missouri Southern Women's Basketball team will travel to Tahlequah, Okla. to take on the Northeastern State University Riverhawks in a conference matchup. Tip-off is set for 1:30 PM in Jack Dobbins Field House.
-Lions-
