Alex Noble gave the Missouri Western women their first lead of the game with 31 seconds remaining in a 65-64 comeback win over Truman State at the MWSU Fieldhouse. Western’s third straight MIAA win moved their record to 5-8 overall and 3-6 in the MIAA. Truman fell to 8-5 and 3-5.

Jessica Koch brought the Griffons within two after her three found the bottom of the net with 3:30 remaining. Brittany Griswold’s career-high 23rd point tied the teams at 59 with just under two minutes to play. After Nicole Gloor made one of two free-throw attempts to put Truman back ahead 60-59, Koch fired another three that missed, but Noble was there to clean up and give Western the lead for good.

Alicia Bell made four free-throws down the stretch to extend the lead. Beka McHenry brought Truman within one with nine seconds to go but two of Bell’s free-throws sealed the victory. Bell finished with eight points, six in the second half.

The Griffons escaped to the halftime locker room down just nine points. Griswold went into the break having tied her career high with 17 points. The Bulldogs led by as many as 16 in the first frame on the heels of hot shooting. Truman shot 55 percent from the field and 60 percent behind the arc. Breanna Daniels was 2-2 from three and Allie Norton made one of her three triple point attempts. The Griffons took 11 shots from behind the arc, with just two finding the bottom of the net.

Koch extended her double digit scoring streak to 23 games, chipping in 14 including two three’s in the second half. Koch led the Griffons with 8 rebounds, while Griswold and Bell each added seven. Bell was the only Griffon with more than one assist, finishing with five.

Western will return to action Jan. 14 when they travel to Warrensburg to take on the Jennies. The Griffons face off with Southwest Baptist in Bolivar on Jan. 17 before returning home on the 21st to host Pittsburg State.

— MWSU Sports Information —