The Missouri Western women shot just 26.3-percent (15-57) from the field in a 65-50 loss on the road against Missouri Southern. The Griffons also struggled from the free throw line making just 59.3-percent (16-27) of their attempts. The Griffons fall to 7-10 overall and 2-8 in MIAA play.

The Griffons led just once at 5-4 in the first half against Missouri Southern. The most MWSU trailed by in the first half was eight at 27-19 with nine seconds to play in the half after a Shonte Clay layup. The Griffons were able to go into the half on a positive note as Stephanie Lichtenauer nailed a three pointer as time expired cutting the Lion lead to 27-22 at the half.

Despite playing without their two leading scorers in Sharniece Lewis and Quenisha Lockett the Griffons were able to hang in with the Lions. The Griffons dominated the boards outrebounding the Lions 20-13 with 10 coming on the offensive end of the floor. Seven Griffons scored in the half with Lichtenauer leading the way with five points on 2-of-2 shooting. Jallisa Lewis led the charge on the boards with six. The Griffons shot just 27.6-percent (8-29) from the field and 3-of-8 from long range.

The Lions were led by Clay with eight points on 3-of-4 shooting. Kristen Hanna and Dominique Mosley each had six points. The Lions made 10-of-20 field goals and 6-of-8 free throws.

The Griffons kept the game close for most of the second half but a late 11-0 run by the Lions put the finishing touches on the Griffons. Alexis Gray hit a layup with 11:30 to play cutting the Missouri Southern lead to 37-33 with 11:30 to play. The next three and a half minutes belonged to the Lions going on a 9-1 run opening up a 12 point lead after a Nicole Hartzog layup with 8:07 to play.

The Griffons kept playing hard, cutting the Lion lead to 47-42 after two Tiara Hall free throws with 5:56 to play. Unfortunately that would be the closest the Griffons would get as the Lions closed on a 18-8 run winning by 15. The Lions improve to 14-3 overall and 8-2 in the MIAA.

The Griffons had 10 players score in the game with Hall and J. Lewis leading the way with nine points. Lewis also had nine rebounds while Hall collected seven.

The Lions shot 61.8-percent (21-34) in the game and made 20-of-28 free throws. Clay finished the game with 10 points while Mosely pitched in 13 on 6-of-7 shooting.

The Griffons return to action on Wednesday, January 29 with an MIAA contest against the Lincoln Blue Tigers. Game time is set for 5:30 pm in the MWSU Fieldhouse.

— MWSU Sports Information —