EMPORIA, Kan. — Missouri Southern State (17-5, 11-2 Mid-America Intercollegiate) edged Emporia State (12-11, 6-8 Mid-America Intercollegiate), 74-69, with a decisive fourth quarter surge at White Auditorium. Missouri Southern overcame a 15-point first-quarter deficit, outscoring Emporia St. 27-16 in the final quarter. The visitors capitalized on 16 turnovers, converting them into 19 points, and dominated inside with 40 paint points. Emporia State connected on 11 three-pointers but fell short in the final minutes.
Missouri Southern holds a 17-5 overall record, including an 11-2 mark in Mid-America Intercollegiate competition. Emporia stands at 12-11 overall with a 6-8 record in Mid-America Intercollegiate play.
Grace Frazier led Missouri Southern with 19 points, adding seven assists and collecting five rebounds.
Lilly Thomas contributed 16 points and grabbed six rebounds, while
Ashlyn Alloway posted 14 points and secured eight rebounds.
Nicole Lillard finished with four steals and recorded two assists.
Missouri Southern struggled from the field during the first quarter, shooting just 2-for-19, but managed to capitalize at the free-throw line with a perfect 4-for-4 performance. Frazier provided a spark by scoring the team's first points with two successful free throws at 4:26 and later adding a jumper in the paint. Despite solid rebounding efforts, including 6 offensive boards, Missouri Southern faced a tough defense, as Emporia State recorded four blocks and converted key baskets. Vanessa Coleman and Gracie Gilpin led Emporia State with efficient shooting, contributing to a 23–8 lead by the end of the quarter. Missouri Southern closed the quarter with a pair of free throws from
Hattie Pyle, but they trailed 23–8.
The Lions took control early in the second quarter with a series of successful plays in the paint. Thomas and Lillard each added layups, supported by
Nariah Clay's assist, to narrow the gap. Frazier was instrumental in the transition game, contributing steals and assists that led to fast-break points. A strong defensive effort saw Southern force multiple turnovers, allowing Alloway to capitalize with key layups. The team also benefitted from efficient free-throw shooting by Lillard, further chipping away at Emporia St.'s lead. Closing the quarter with a surge, Southern outscored Emporia St. significantly to trim the deficit to 35-33.
Emporia State began the third quarter strongly, but the Lions soon responded with a scoring drive, initiated by
Makenna Yokley's 3-pointer at 6:14. This was followed by a successful jumper from Yokley at 4:12, narrowing the gap to one point. Thomas then contributed a 3-pointer at 3:32, pushing the Lions ahead. However, Emporia St. regained momentum with a late quarter surge, ending the quarter ahead 53–47.
Southern began the fourth quarter swiftly, with Thomas securing a defensive rebound and converting a jumper in the paint, narrowing the gap to 53–49. The visitors capitalized on defensive plays, including a steal by Lillard, and maintained pressure through significant offensive rebounds from Frazier and Thomas. This momentum allowed Southern to tie the game at 56–56 midway through the quarter. As the clock wound down, Southern surged ahead with critical points from Frazier, including a layup and a pair of free throws at 4:02, giving them a 62–61 lead. The team further extended the advantage with a 7–0 run, highlighted by Thomas's jumper and Yokley's defensive rebound leading to a layup by Clay, pushing the score to 68–61. In the closing minutes, Southern maintained their lead through consistent free-throw shooting and defensive stops. Alloway's block with 4 seconds left ensured the team's control, concluding the quarter with a 74–69 victory.
The Lions return home to host Northwest Missouri State on Wednesday at 5:30 p.m. at the Robert Ellis Young Gymnasium.
