The Missouri Western shooting woes continued on Saturday afternoon falling 66-48 against the Emporia State Lady Hornets in the Griffons home MIAA opener. The Griffons shot 30.0-percent (18-60) from the floor and 23.5-percent (4-17) from long range. Western falls to 2-4 overall and 0-2 in MIAA action.

Emporia State outscored Missouri Western 20-4 in the paint in the first frame helping ESU to a 31-23 lead at the break. The Griffons opened up the game with a three by Kallie Schoonover but the rest of the frame would be all Hornets, using a 21-9 run building their largest lead of the half at 21-12 after a layup by Kelsey Balcom with 10:04 to play. The teams played even the rest of the way but poor shooting hurt the Griffons in the half.

Western shot 27.3-percent (9-33) with Jessica Koch and Brittany Griswold leading the way with five points apiece. The Hornets shot 36.1-percent (13-36) from the floor with Rachel Hanf leading all players with 10 points.

Western cut the Hornet lead to seven twice in the second half but that would be as close as they would get. The Hornets built their lead to as many as 24 late in the game improving to 5-1 overall and 2-0 in MIAA play. ESU dominated the points in the paint outscoring the Griffons 38-20 in the lane.

Koch led the charge for the Griffons scoring 19 points with seven rebounds. Alicia Bell had seven rebounds and four assists while Griswold dumped in 10 points.

ESU had 17 assists on their 27 field goals with Hanf scoring 18 points on 8-of-11 shooting. Kelsey Balcom dumped in 12 points while Merissa Quick had seven rebounds.

The Griffons return home on Wednesday, December 7 to take on the Missouri Southern Lions in MIAA action. Game time is set for 5:30 pm from the MWSU Fieldhouse. This is the Griffons last home contest until Wednesday, January 4, 2012 when they host the Northwest Missouri State Bearcats at 5:30 pm in the fieldhouse.

— MWSU Sports Information —