WARRENSBURG, Mo. — Missouri Southern State University (19-8, 13-5 Mid-America Intercollegiate) fell to Central Missouri (22-5, 16-2 Mid-America Intercollegiate) with a final score of 73-64 at the Jerry M. Hughes Athletics Center. Missouri Southern led 23-18 after the first quarter but was outscored by 9 in the second half, despite forcing 14 turnovers and scoring 15 points off those opportunities. Central Missouri secured the victory with a strong second-half performance, including a 21-point third quarter.
Missouri Southern holds a record of 19-8 overall and 13-5 in Mid-America Intercollegiate play. Central Missouri stands at 22-5 overall with a 16-2 mark in Mid-America Intercollegiate competition.
Grace Frazier finished with 21 points and recorded three assists, while also contributing two steals.
Nariah Clay scored 18 points and added six rebounds, including four 3-pointers.
Lilly Thomas posted nine points and collected four rebounds, along with two steals.
Ashlyn Alloway tallied six points and blocked two shots, contributing five rebounds.
Missouri Southern State opened the first quarter with efficient shooting, connecting on 10 of 15 attempts and establishing momentum early. Clay contributed significantly with multiple successful shots, including a key 3-pointer at 7:14, supported by Frazier's assist. This early scoring drive helped Missouri Southern gain an early lead. Central Missouri responded with several 3-pointers, but Missouri Southern maintained its edge by capitalizing on second-chance points and controlling the paint, scoring six points inside. The period concluded with Missouri Southern ahead 23–18, demonstrating their ability to keep the lead despite Central Missouri's efforts to close the gap.
Southern opened the second quarter by extending its lead with effective play inside the paint, highlighted by layups from Thomas and
Camryn Smith. The visitors capitalized on turnovers, turning defensive stops into points and maintaining the offensive pressure. Despite a scoring push from Central Mo., Mo. Southern St. held its ground, closing the period tied at 13 points each. The visitors remained in the lead with an overall score of 36-31 at the end of the second quarter.
The third quarter began with MSSU maintaining a slight edge, as Alloway scored a layup assisted by Thomas, extending their lead to 38-31. However, Central Mo. quickly responded, closing the gap and eventually taking the lead with a series of baskets, including a layup by Taylor Weishaar that made the score 39-38. Clay's three-pointer briefly put Mo. Southern back in front, but Central Mo. answered with consistent scoring to reclaim the advantage. As the quarter continued, Mo. Southern St. struggled to convert on several attempts, while Central Mo. capitalized on offensive rebounds and free throws to widen its lead. Frazier's late layup cut the deficit, but Central Mo. ended the quarter ahead, 52-48.
Missouri Southern began the fourth quarter with an assertive presence in the paint, scoring 12 points inside while forcing no turnovers. Frazier led the charge with timely scoring, including crucial layups that helped cut into Central Missouri's lead. Despite the effort, shooting struggles from beyond the arc and at the free-throw line limited their scoring potential. Central Missouri maintained its advantage through efficient shooting, converting 7 of 12 field goals, including two 3-pointers. They capitalized on Missouri Southern's fouls, extending the lead through free throws in the closing minutes. The period ended with Central Missouri holding onto a 73-64 victory, despite Missouri Southern's late attempts to close the gap.
