The Griffons women’s basketball team opened up the home portion of its schedule in impressive fashion defeating #7 Metro State University by a score of 66-55. JaQuitta Dever led the scoring charge with 18 points while Heather Howard collected her first double-double of her career with 15 points and 13 rebounds. The Griffons improve to 2-0 with the victory.
The Missouri Western women’s basketball team held the 7th ranked Roadrunners to just 27.6-percent (8-29) shooting in the first half building a 33-21 points halftime lead. MWSU used a 6-0 run and a 21-11 run building its lead to as many as 16 points after a Howard long range shots with 2:31 to play in the frame.
The Griffons dominated the points in the paint scoring 16 points to Metro State’s four and had nine second chance points to the Roadrunnres two. MWSU was led by Dever with seven points on 5-of-6 shooting from the free throw line. The Griffons made 8-of-13 in the half. Howard had five points, seven rebounds and three blocks in the opening half.
The Roadrunners were led by Kya DeGarmo with eith points making 2-of-3 long range shots. Metro State made 2-of-4 free throws and 3-of-7 three point shots.
The second half was a back and forth battle between the two teams as every time the Roadrunners made a run the Griffons bounced back with a run of their own.
The Griffons opened up a 16 points lead early in the frame when Dever nailed a three pointer at the 17:40 mark making it 39-23 in favor of the Griffons. MWSU went cold the next few minutes as the Roadrunners went on a 7-0 run cutting the MWSU lead to nine after Brandi Valencia nailed two free throws with 16:08 to play.
The Griffons answered the next two minutes going on an 8-0 run with Tiffanie Abrams finishing off the old fashioned three point play at the 14:12 mark giving MWSU its largets lead of the game at 47-30.
Metro State once again made a run cutting the Griffons lead to six with 3:15 to play after Cassie Lambrecht hit a three making it 61-55 MWSU. The Griffons remained calm an hit its free throws down the stretch sealing the 66-55 victory.
The victory marked the first over a top-25 team since January 26, 2011 when MWSU defeated 14th ranked Emporia State 78-71 in the MWSU Fieldhouse. This also marked the first time since the 2004-2005 season when they beat St. Gregory and Nebraska-Kearney.
The Griffons shot 37-percent (20-54) from the field and 33.3-percent (6-18) from the field. MWSU scored 26 points in the paint and 18 second chance points on 14 Roadrunner turnovers.
Eight different Griffons scored in the game with Lanicia Lawrence was the only other Griffon in double digits with 12 points.
MWSU outrebounded Metro State 49-37 and 16-13 on the offensive end of the floor.
Metro State falls to 0-1 on the season with Cassie Lambrecht leading the way with 13 points while Kristin Valencia snared 12 rebounds.
The Griffons return to action on Friday, November 16 when they head to Springfield, Ill. to take Illinois-Springfield. Game time is set for 5:30 pm.
— MWSU Sports Information —