JOPLIN, Mo. — Missouri Southern State University (10-4, 4-1 Mid-America Intercollegiate) defeated #11 Pittsburg State University (11-3, 4-1 Mid-America Intercollegiate), 82-73, Tuesday at Robert Ellis Young Gymnasium. This victory marked the Lions' first top-15 win since January 11, 2024, when they defeated #15 Fort Hays State 67-58 at Leggett and Platt Athletic Center.
Missouri Southern surged with a 30-point fourth quarter, outscoring Pittsburg State by four in the final period to secure the win. The home team dominated inside, posting a 42-28 advantage in points in the paint.
MSSU improved to 10-4 overall and 4-1 in MIAA play. Pittsburg State is now 11-3 overall and 4-1 in Mid-America Intercollegiate competition.
Ashlyn Alloway scored 30 points, converting all 10 of her free throw attempts and making 10 field goals.
Grace Frazier added 19 points and recorded seven assists, making 9 of 11 free throws.
Nariah Clay finished with 11 points, hitting 5 of her 8 shots and collecting five rebounds.
Makenna Yokley contributed 9 points and collected 8 rebounds, including six on the defensive end.
Missouri Southern started the first quarter with a strong defensive rebound by
Delaney Roller, followed by an early layup from
Ashlyn Alloway, assisted by
Makenna Yokley, to take the initial lead. Despite maintaining a solid presence in the paint, the team faced a series of exchanges that saw Pittsburg State pull ahead with a 3-pointer from Ja'Miya Brown and a layup by Clara Swearingen.
Grace Frazier's defensive rebound and subsequent free throws helped Missouri Southern level the score at 9–9 midway through the quarter. However, Pittsburg State responded with a series of successful shots, including a 3-pointer by Clara Swearingen, extending their advantage. Missouri Southern closed the quarter trailing 17–13, with a jumper by Frazier marking their final points of the quarter.
Missouri Southern began the second quarter by seizing momentum with a series of key plays.
Ashlyn Alloway's layup at 8:08, assisted by
Makenna Yokley, initiated a scoring run.
Delaney Roller followed with a three-pointer, assisted by
Grace Frazier, solidifying the lead.
Nariah Clay contributed significantly with a layup and jumper, extending the advantage to 24–19. Missouri Southern continued to control the game, with
Grace Frazier's successful free throws and Alloway's layup further increasing the lead to 28–23. The quarter concluded with Clay's layup and free throw, closing the period at 33–27. Missouri Southern led the quarter 20–10, extending their overall lead.
The Lions initiated the third quarter on a strong note with
Ashlyn Alloway's free throws, extending their lead to 35-27. Despite Pittsburg State's attempt to close the gap with a three-pointer from Ja'Miya Brown, Southern maintained control through effective rebounding, including defensive boards from
Makenna Yokley, and timely scoring from
Grace Frazier and Yokley in the paint. As the quarter unfolded, the Lions kept the pressure on with contributions from multiple players.
Ashlyn Alloway scored a crucial layup off a fast break, assisted by
Grace Frazier, to keep the team ahead. Despite a late push by Pittsburg State, including a three-pointer by Harper Schreiner, Southern held their ground. The quarter concluded with a jumper from
Hattie Pyle, solidifying Southern's lead at 52-47. The home team managed to withstand Pittsburg State's scoring attempts, maintaining a slim advantage into the final stretch.
Southern began the fourth quarter with a narrow lead and quickly extended it with effective scoring in the paint.
Ashlyn Alloway drove the momentum with early baskets, contributing to a 7-3 run that pushed the home team's lead, aided by
Grace Frazier's assist. Despite Pittsburg State's attempts to close the gap with a three-pointer from Ja'Miya Brown, Southern maintained control with strong defensive rebounds by
Grace Frazier and
Lilly Thomas. As the quarter progressed, the home team capitalized on free throw opportunities, with Alloway and
Hattie Pyle converting crucial points from the line. Pittsburg State responded with layups from Kaycee McCumber and Harper Schreiner, but Southern's consistent scoring, including another layup by Alloway, kept the visitors at bay. In the final minutes, Southern solidified their lead from the free-throw line, with Frazier and Pyle each hitting key shots.
Camryn Smith's late-game steal and free throws ensured Southern's victory. The home team outscored Pittsburg State 30-26 in the final quarter, finishing with an 82-73 win.
