The Missouri Western women’s basketball team picked up their third straight victory escaping with a 65-59 victory over the Lindenwood Lions. Despite struggling from the free throw line all game long the Griffons were able to make 7-of-9 down the stretch improving to 12-3 overall and 5-2 in MIAA play.
In a half which saw 27 combined turnovers the Lady Lions and the Griffons were able to play to a 23-23 tie at the half. The Griffons started strong building a 12-4 lead with 13:04 to play in the half. Dever led the way scoring six points with five coming in the first two minutes of the half.
The rest of the half belonged to the Lady Lions forcing the Griffons into 14 first half turnovers. The finished the half on a 19-11 run with Marissa Lehnig leading the way with seven points making 3-of-4 free throws.
The Griffons shot just 27.3-percent (9-33) from the field and 3-of-10 from long range. The Griffons outrebounded the Lady Lions 25-18 with KC Clouser and Heather Howard both collecting seven.
The Griffons came out of the locker room on fire creating turnovers and hitting shots building their largest lead of the game at 37-25 after a three pointer by Sharniece Lewis.
The Lady Lions once again stayed poised using a 10-0 run to tie the score at 40 with 10:11 to play after Caroline Bourlioux nailed to free throws. Once again the Griffons went on a run 7-0 claiming 47-40 lead but were unable to hang on to it as Linendwood stormed back taking a 55-54 lead after Bourlioux hit two more free throws with 1:30 to play.
Down the stretch the Griffons held the Lady Lions to just four points as the Griffons dumped in 11 claiming the six point victory. Lindenwood falls to 4-10 overall and 1-5 in MIAA play with the loss.
Howard collected her ninth double-double of the season scoring 15 points and snaring 13 rebounds while Lanicia Lawrence, Sharniece Lewis and JaQuitta Dever finished with 13, 13 and 10 respectively. Clouser finished with a career high 11 rebounds.
Despite shooting just 35.4-percent (23-65) from the field they forced 28 turnovers and had 13 steals. Dever finished with five steals while Lawrence pitched in four. Missouri Western also had 10 assists with Dever leading the way with four. The Griffons also had 15 more rebounds than the Lady Lions with 24 coming on the offensive end of the floor.
The Lady Lions had four players in double digits led by Sarah Schnieders with 16.
The Griffons return to action on Sunday, January 20 when they travel to Emporia, Kan. to take on the Emporia State Hornets. Game time is set for 3:30 pm from White Auditorium.
— MWSU Sports Information —