SPRINGFIELD, Mo. — Missouri Southern State University defeated Truman State University, 96-82, at the O'Reilly Family Event Center. The Lions outscored the visitors 28-20 in the final quarter, sealing the victory behind a 46-30 advantage in paint points. Southern also capitalized on Truman's 17 turnovers, converting them into 25 points.
Southern holds a 4-3 overall record, while Truman sits at 2-4 on the season.
Nariah Clay scored 18 points, including four 3-pointers, showcasing her effectiveness from beyond the arc.
Ashlyn Alloway led the team with 21 points and recorded a double-double with 11 rebounds, contributing significantly to the team's defensive efforts.
Nicole Lillard added 10 points, with six coming from the free-throw line, and also dished out four assists.
Delaney Roller contributed 12 points, with all her scoring coming from four 3-pointers, indicating her focus on perimeter shooting.
Southern started strong, quickly capitalizing on an early turnover from Truman with an Alloway layup.
Makenna Yokley contributed by scoring in the paint, helping the team keep pace with the visitors. Despite some shooting struggles, Roller provided a spark with a 3-pointer, assisted by
Grace Frazier, keeping the score close. As the quarter progressed, Truman managed to gain a slight upper hand, extending their lead with efficient free-throw shooting. Southern answered back, with Alloway securing key layups and
Camryn Smith adding points from the line and in the paint. The home team closed the gap with a late surge, as Clay's jumper at the buzzer brought the score to 22–21, with Truman leading by one.
Missouri Southern seized the momentum in the second quarter with a strong start, highlighted by
Hattie Pyle's early three-pointer at 9:32, assisted by Lillard. This sparked a sequence of effective offensive plays, including a layup from Clay, extending their lead. The home team maintained their edge with solid defensive plays, forcing turnovers and capitalizing on Truman's mistakes. Smith played a pivotal role, contributing a crucial three-pointer at 1:41, further distancing Southern from Truman. Despite a late jumper from Truman's Mariann Blass, Southern ended the quarter ahead, 40–36.
Southern began the third quarter maintaining their lead, highlighted by Alloway's defensive rebound and subsequent layup to extend the advantage to 42-36. They continued to capitalize on turnovers, with Alloway's steal leading to a layup from Frazier, making it 44-36. The team sustained their momentum with Roller's consecutive 3-pointers, assisted by Smith, pushing the score to 50-40. As the quarter progressed, Southern displayed efficient scoring with Alloway contributing both from the field and the free-throw line. Clay's 3-pointer, assisted by Lillard, further widened the gap to 61-53. In the closing minutes, Yokley hit crucial free throws, maintaining the lead against Truman's late push. Southern concluded the third quarter ahead, 68-62.
Southern began the fourth quarter with a strong showing, thanks to early layups by Alloway and Smith, extending their lead. Pyle contributed significantly with a layup followed by a successful free throw, maintaining momentum for the home team. Truman attempted to close the gap with three-pointers from Katelyn Odem and Avery Rausch, but Southern countered effectively. Lillard's layup with an assist from Pyle added to their advantage, keeping Southern ahead. In the closing minutes, Southern capitalized on free throw opportunities, with Clay sealing the lead with successful shots from the charity stripe. The home team outscored the visitors in the final quarter, 28-20, finishing the game with a 96-82 victory.
