JOPLIN, Mo. — Missouri Southern State University (19-7, 13-4 Mid-America Intercollegiate) edged past the University of Nebraska at Kearney (14-15, 7-11 Mid-America Intercollegiate), 75-69, in a tightly contested league game at the Robert Ellis Young Gymnasium. Missouri Southern capitalized on its interior play, securing 44 points in the paint, and held a decisive 33-21 rebounding advantage. The teams were tied seven times and exchanged leads six times, but Missouri Southern maintained its edge in the final minutes after honoring Ashlyn Alloway for reaching 1,000 career points in a pregame ceremony.
Grace Frazier led the team with 22 points, converting 8 of 12 field goals and 6 of 7 free throws, while also recording five assists.
Makenna Yokley posted a double-double with 15 points and 10 rebounds, including six on the offensive end.
Ashlyn Alloway added 17 points, making 8 of 11 field goal attempts, and collected five rebounds.
Nariah Clay contributed defensively with three steals and added three points from the free-throw line.
The first quarter began with MSSU quickly capitalizing on the visiting team's turnover, with Alloway scoring an early layup. Southern maintained pressure, generating a series of turnovers and steals, including contributions from Frazier, who added a jumper to tie the score at 4-4. Despite this, Nebraska-Kearney responded with a scoring surge, taking a brief lead. Southern rallied with Frazier again scoring from the paint and converting a free throw, narrowing the gap. Yokley's late free throws tied the game at 15. However, a three-pointer from Nebraska-Kearney in the final seconds gave them an edge, closing the quarter with an 18-15 lead over Southern.
In the second quarter, the Lions gained momentum with a balanced offensive attack, highlighted by
Delaney Roller's two 3-pointers that contributed significantly to their scoring efforts. Yokley added crucial points in the paint, while the team collectively capitalized on second-chance opportunities with three offensive rebounds. Despite Nebraska-Kearney's efforts to stay close, Southern maintained their edge, closing the quarter with a 19-14 advantage, leading 34-32 overall.
MSSU began the third quarter with a strong showing, taking control with Alloway's layup at 8:35, assisted by Clay, which initiated a series of successful plays in the paint. The team capitalized on turnovers, with Clay contributing key steals, and Yokley sinking a crucial 3-pointer at 3:20, extending their lead. The home team maintained defensive pressure, highlighted by
Lilly Thomas's block at 6:39, limiting Nebraska-Kearney's second-chance opportunities. Frazier's layup at 1:52 further advanced the lead, complemented by consistent free-throw shooting. The Lions outscored their opponent 22–14 in the quarter, closing with a solid lead of 56–46.
In the fourth quarter, Southern maintained its lead through strategic plays and efficient scoring. Alloway opened the quarter with back-to-back layups, contributing to a fast break that extended the Lions' advantage. Frazier added to the momentum with a jumper that helped sustain the lead. Missouri Southern was effective in the paint, scoring 12 of its points there, and capitalizing on six fast-break points. The team also demonstrated resilience on defense, blocking a key shot and securing nine rebounds. Despite Nebraska-Kearney's efforts to close the gap with three made 3-pointers, Southern finished strong at the free-throw line, with Frazier sinking crucial free throws in the final seconds. The quarter concluded with Missouri Southern holding a 75-69 lead.
