The Missouri Western women defeated Southwest Baptist 71-64 in its final home game of the season. Griffon seniors who played their final game at MWSU Fieldhouse include Heather Howard, who collected her 13th double-double of the season with 14 points and 13 rebounds. Kallie Schoonover, Brittany Griswold, Alicia Bell and KC Clouser finished with 6, 6, 8, and 3 points respectively.

The Griffons and the Bearcats were neck-and-neck throughout, as the Griffons shot 22-for-57 while the Bearcats went 23-for-55. The difference throughout remained the free throw shooting by the Griffons, who knocked down 22 free throws, including Lanicia Lawrence, who went 9-for-11 from the charity stripe.

Missouri Western stormed out to a 17-7 lead after a 12-0 run taking control of the game early. SBU fought back, however, pulling within two with 3:38 to play after a jumper by Brittney Dukes made it 23-21. The Griffons maintained the lead in the closing minutes of the first half on their way to a 32-26 lead at the break.

The Griffons score five straight points to open up the second half taking another double-digit lead, 37-26, topped off by Sharniece Lawrence’s 3-point shot, one of four the junior made on the night. Her four three’s tied a career high. Midway through the second half SBU took its first lead of the game since it was 7-5 early in the first half after Dukes nailed a trey with 11:23 left. The 3-pointer gave the Bearcats a 47-45 advantage, but the Griffons answered back with a 10-0 run claiming a 55-47 lead.

Free throws and solid defense helped the Griffons carry the team the rest of the way on to a 71-64 victory. Dukes finished with a game-high 23 points leading Southwest Baptist. Howard’s 13 rebounds tied a career high.

The Griffons close out the regular season with a 15-11 record including 8-10 in the MIAA. The Bearcats fall to 11-15 (6-12). Up next for the Griffons is a first-round matchup in the MIAA Tournament against Pittsburg State in Pittsburg, Kan. on Tuesday, March 5th.

— MWSU Sports Information —