CLAREMORE, Okla. — Missouri Southern women's basketball (13-4, 7-1 MIAA) edged Rogers State (6-11, 3-5 MIAA), 66-62, in a league matchup Saturday at the Claremore Expo Center.
MSSU secured the win with a strong defensive effort, grabbing 50 rebounds and scoring 23 second-chance points. RSU narrowed the gap with a 23-point push in the fourth quarter, but Missouri Southern's defense and rebounding edge proved decisive.
The Lions improved to 13-4 overall and 7-1 in MIAA play. Southern sits tied for first in the MIAA after its fourth-straight win. Rogers State is now 6-11 overall and 3-5 in league competition.
Nariah Clay scored 14 points, including two 3-pointers while shooting 50 percent, and recorded two assists as four Lions finished in double-figures scoring. Clay has now posted 10 or more points in five-straight contests.
Lilly Thomas posted 14 points and grabbed eight rebounds, contributing one block and two assists. She shot 6-for-14 from the field after registering a career-best 20 points at UCO on Wednesday.
Makenna Yokley finished with 10 points, converting 7 of 8 free throws and securing nine rebounds. She also had a pair of assists and two steals.
Ashlyn Alloway totaled 10 points with six rebounds, three assists and a block.
Delaney Roller added nine points and collected a personal-best five rebounds, while also tallying two steals.
MSSU opened the first quarter with a strong defensive effort, forcing a turnover and initiating the scoring with a three-pointer from Clay at 9:29.
Camryn Smith's early involvement was pivotal, contributing an assist and a steal, helping the Lions to capitalize on their offensive rebounds, particularly in the paint.
Ashlyn Alloway added four points, including two free throws at 6:12, extending the Southern lead to 9–3.
As the quarter progressed, Missouri Southern maintained its defensive intensity with four steals and a block, limiting RSU to just two points in the paint. Despite a late push by Rogers State, featuring three 3-pointers, MSSU closed the quarter effectively.
Hattie Pyle's tip-in at the buzzer secured a 15–11 lead, concluding a quarter marked by aggressive rebounding and a solid defensive stance.
Yokley initiated a strong start to the second quarter for Southern with a steal and a 3-pointer at 9:26, assisted by Clay, pushing the score to 18-11. MSSU extended the lead to 28-16 by the midway point, highlighted by a 3-pointer from Roller at 4:52, assisted by Alloway.
RSU responded with a series of 3-pointers, narrowing the gap to 30-29 with just 23 seconds left. However, Clay secured the lead with two crucial free throws with four seconds remaining, resulting in Southern holding a 32-29 advantage at the end of the opening half.
MSSU began the third quarter by overcoming an early deficit with a critical three-pointer from Clay at 7:23, leveling the score at 35. The Lions capitalized on strong offensive rebounding and precise free-throw shooting to regain the lead. Alloway's free throws at 6:24 put MSSU ahead 37–35, maintaining momentum through the quarter.
Defensively, Southern excelled, limiting the Hillcats to just 10 points in the quarter while extending its lead. Roller contributed with a key jumper at 5:30, and Pyle's layup at 1:31 expanded the margin to 45–37. MSSU closed the quarter with strong defensive rebounds and a final jumper from Roller with 26 seconds remaining, ending the quarter ahead 49–39.
The fourth quarter opened with Thomas hitting two free throws to extend the lead for Southern. Smith and Pyle contributed with key layups, maintaining the team's advantage. Despite a push from RSU, including a three-pointer from Samantha Shanks, MSSU managed to sustain momentum through crucial defensive stops, highlighted by a block from Thomas.
Midway through the quarter, Clay and Thomas continued to apply pressure with offensive rebounds and layups, keeping the score tight. Alloway sealed the win with four critical free throws in the final seconds, extending the lead beyond reach. Southern closed the game 66–62, securing a hard-fought victory on the road.
Smith made her first career start Saturday, grabbing seven rebounds with three assists, one block and a steal.
Pyle finished with eight points (4-for-5 shooting) to go with four rebounds, an assist, a block and a steal.
The Lions next heads to No. 16-ranked Pittsburg State on Saturday, Jan. 24. Tip is set for 1:30 p.m., CT at John Lance Arena/Whetzel Court.
