The Missouri Western women closed the game on an 18-10 run claiming their second straight MIAA victory by a score of 74-66 over the Lincoln Blue Tigers. Western is 2-0 to open the 2012 season and have won 24 straight against Lincoln. Western improves to 4-8 overall and 2-5 overall.

Western dominated the points in the paint if the first frame outscoring Lincoln 26-14 in the lane helping the Griffons to a 36-30 half time lead. The game was tied eight times in the first frame with Western trialing by no more than five points at 17-12 with 10:56 to play.

Western used an 8-0 run claiming their first lead of the game with 9:25 to play after an Alex Saxen long range shot. The game was tied three more times before the end of the half but a lay-up by Koch at the buzzer gave the Griffons their largest lead of the half at six. Western finished shooting a sizzling 55.2-percent (16-29) form the field with Jessica Koch dumping in 10 points. She has scored in double figures in 22 straight games.

The Blue Tigers shot just 31.4-percent (11-35) from the field with Vivian Essuon leading the charge with 11 points and 16 rebounds. Essuon made 5-of-7 field goal attempts. Lincoln had 14 second chance points to the Griffons zero, outrebounding the Griffons 26-17 in the first period.

In a half that saw eight lead changes the Griffons were able to hold off the Blue Tiger comeback. Two Freddie Sims long range shots in the first two minutes of the second half helped the Blue Tigers tie the score at 36 with 18:09 to play. Western retook the lead by as many as five twice in the next eight minutes by scores of 52-47 and 54-49.

The Blue Tigers went on an 8-2 run taking a one point lead with 6:47 to play after a Jackeya Mitchell free throw, but Koch nailed a three pointer with 6:37 to play sparking the Griffons run to victory. Koch finished with 28 points on 11-of-20 shooting. She collected eight rebounds and dished out seven assists in the game.

Lincoln outrebounded the Griffons 48-to-33 with Essuon finishing with 23 boards and 20 points making 8-of-10 shots. Sims finished with 20 points on 8-of-16 shooting making four long range shots. The Blue Tigers fall to 9-3 overall and 4-3 in MIAA play.

Western outscored the Blue Tigers 44-to-30 in the paint and 21-to-15 off the bench. They also scored 23 points off 26 Lincoln turnovers.

The Griffons return home on Wednesday, January 11 to take on the Truman State Bulldogs in MIAA action. Game time is set for 5:30 pm from the MWSU Fieldhouse. This will mark the third game of a three game home stand for the Griffons. If you can make the game listen to all the action on 680 AM KFEQ.

— MWSU Sports Information —