Kansas City, Mo. - The Missouri Southern women's basketball team faced off against Northwest Missouri State in the 2025 MIAA Championships, battling back from an early deficit to find their offensive rhythm late in the second quarter and take a lead into halftime. The Lions' defense tightened in the third quarter, holding the Bearcats to just four points, and they maintained control down the stretch to secure a 59-50 victory.
 
Missouri Southern (19-13, 10-9 MIAA) vs. Northwest Missouri State (15-15, 8-11 MIAA)
Quarter 1:
The Lions took an early lead, fueled by four combined points from Mackenzie Hart and Ryan Franklin, making it 6-2 with 7:42 remaining in the first quarter. The Bearcats responded, but Hart snapped their momentum with a three-pointer, pushing the score to 9-5. Northwest Missouri reclaimed the lead as the clock wound down, but Grace Frazier closed the gap to one point with a pair of free throws. The Lions trailed 15-14 at the end of the opening quarter.

Quarter 2:
Mackenzie Hart opened the second quarter with a jumper, but the Bearcats quickly responded to maintain a 16-15 edge. At the 6:59 mark, Ryan Franklin tied the game at 18-18 with a hook shot. The teams traded leads throughout the quarter, but the Lions closed strong with a 6-0 run in the final 1:33, powered by Franklin, Grace Frazier, and Kennady Roach. Southern took a 30-27 lead into halftime.

Quarter 3:
Southern kept their momentum rolling with a 12-0 run, powered by Ryan Franklin's six points, Mackenzie Hart's four points, and Kaitlin Hunnicutt's two points, stretching the lead to 38-27. The Bearcats ended their scoring drought with a jumper at the 2:17 mark, but Franklin quickly responded with a layup. The Lions' defense locked in, holding Northwest Missouri to just four points in the third quarter. Southern carried a 44-31 lead into the final period, up by 13 points.

Quarter 4:
Both teams traded baskets to start the fourth quarter, but the Bearcats made a push with six points to cut the deficit to nine at 50-41 with 7:18 remaining. Southern responded with key shots, a three-pointer from Kennady Roach, a jumper from Mackenzie Hart, and a bucket from Ryan Franklin to extend the lead to 57-45 with 2:31 left on the clock. The Lions held their ground in the final minutes, securing a 59-50 victory.

Missouri Southern Leaders:
Points: Ryan Franklin - 28
Rebounds: Ryan Franklin / Kennady Roach – 6
Assists: Grace Frazier - 6
Steals:  Mackenzie Hart - 3
Blocks: -  Ryan Franklin / Grace Frazier  - 1
 
Northwest Missouri State Leaders:
Points: Molly Hartnett - 16
Rebounds: Kelsey Fields - 11
Assists: Molly Hartnett - 4
Steals: Three players - 1
Blocks: Sadie Maas – 4
 
Up next:
The Lions advance to day two of the MIAA Championships, where they will face the top-seeded Pittsburg State Gorillas on Thursday, March 6. Tipoff is set for 6:00 p.m. at Municipal Auditorium in Kansas City, Mo.
  Read Full Article