The Missouri Western women’s basketball team shot just 30-percent (10-30) and got out rebounded 29-14 in the first half falling 73-56 on the road Wednesday evening against the 17th ranked Fort Hays State Tigers. The Griffons have lost six straight road games and sit at 14-11 overall and 7-10 in MIAA play.

The two teams played the first four minutes to a 6-6 tie but a 23-8 run over the next ten minutes by the Tigers gave them a 29-14 lead after two Keriann Shaw free throws. The Griffons battled back using a 10-0 run capped by a Denise White free throw cutting the lead to 29-24 with 3:04 to play. The Tigers closed the half on their own 10-0 run claiming the 39-24 halftime lead.

The Griffons were led by JaQuitta Dever in the first half with 10 points making 4-of-9 free throws. MWSU had just six turnovers but made only 1-of-10 long range shots. The Tigers had 10 second chance points with Kate Lehman leading the way with 15 points and eight rebounds.

The Tigers extended its 15 point halftime lead to 20 early in the second half. The Griffons cut the lead to 14 after two Alicia Bell free throws with 13:04 to play but did not get any closer falling for fifth time in six games.

Griffon seniors Heather Howard and Bell scored 12 and 11 points respectively while the Griffons made just 22-of-63 field goals in the game.

The Tigers improve to 19-6 overall and 11-6 in MIAA play. Katelyn Edwards and Lehman led the way with 23 and 20 points respectively. Lehman also had 11 rebounds and four blocked shots.

The Griffons close out the regular season on Saturday, March 2 with a game against Southwest Baptist in St. Joseph, Mo. Tip time is set for 1:30 pm from the MWSU Fieldhouse. The Griffons will honor five seniors (Brittany Griswold, K.C. Clouser, Kallie Schoonover, Heather Howard and Alicia Bell) before the game as they will be playing their final regular season home game of their careers.

— MWSU Sports Information —