JOPLIN, Mo. — Missouri Southern women's basketball (17-6, 11-3 MIAA) fell to Northwest Missouri (14-10, 7-7 MIAA), 65-60, in a tightly contested game at Robert Ellis Young Gymnasium Thursday evening.
Despite forcing 16 turnovers, the Lions couldn't overcome a late surge from NWMSU, which outscored Missouri Southern 27-24 in the final quarter.
The Lions now have a record of 17-6 and 11-3 in MIAA play. NWMSU holds a record of 14-10 and 7-7 in league competition.
Nariah Clay scored 23 points, converting 9 of 12 free throws for her fourth 20-point scoring game of the season.
Grace Frazier added 14 points and collected five rebounds.
Makenna Yokley finished with 15 points and recorded two steals.
Ashlyn Alloway contributed nine rebounds and posted two blocks.
The game commenced with Missouri Southern taking an early lead through a 3-pointer by
Hattie Pyle, assisted by Alloway, putting the Lions ahead 3-0. MSSU maintained defensive pressure, forcing turnovers and collecting rebounds, with Alloway contributing with a steal at 8:31. Despite these efforts, the Bearcats responded with a pair of 3-pointers, briefly overtaking the lead.
Frazier made a key jumper at 3:40 to recapture the advantage for Missouri Southern. However, NWMSU closed the quarter with a slight edge by capitalizing on a jumper from Boston Wand in the final minutes. The first quarter ended with the Lions trailing Northwest Missouri, 10-7.
In the second quarter, Southern made efforts to cut into the Bearcats' lead. Clay's free throws at 7:00 narrowed the gap, and her jumper at 5:20 brought the score closer. Despite NWMSU's strong presence in the paint, the Lions capitalized on opportunities, including a critical 3-pointer by Clay at 1:08, assisted by Frazier, closing the quarter with momentum. The opening half ended with the Lions trailing by only two, 24-22, while outscoring NWMSU 15-14 in the second quarter.
The third quarter began with both teams vying for momentum. Missouri Southern quickly matched NWMSU's scoring, with Clay and Yokley contributing key points in the paint. Despite facing defensive pressure, the Lions capitalized on free throw opportunities, briefly taking the lead midway through the quarter.
NWMSU responded by exploiting the interior, with Sadie Maas and Brooklyn Stanley leading its scoring efforts. Southern countered through a late 3-pointer by Yokley, assisted by Clay, closing the quarter strongly. The teams remained locked in a tie, with the score standing at 38–36 in favor of NWMSU after three periods Thursday.
Missouri Southern started the fourth quarter with a strategic defensive effort, as Yokley contributed an early steal that led to two successful free throws, reducing the deficit. Frazier further narrowed the gap with a series of jumpers, supported by
Camryn Smith's assist, keeping the Lions within striking distance.
As the quarter progressed, Missouri Southern faced persistent pressure, with NWMSU capitalizing on free throws and fast breaks. Despite a late push, including a three-pointer by
Delaney Roller, Southern struggled to regain the lead. The quarter concluded with a score of 65-60 in favor of NWMSU, as the Lions ended the game with a valiant effort.
MSSU was outrebounded 47-31 and managed only 18 points in the paint.
MSSU next hosts Missouri Western State University Saturday at Robert Ellis Young Gymnasium. Tip is set for 1:30 p.m., CT.
