ST. JOSEPH – The ninth-ranked Missouri Western Women’s basketball team broke a streak of nail biters with a 93-50 win over Lindenwood Thursday night in the MWSU Fieldhouse.

Missouri Western had not played a game decided by less than nine points since its 13-point win at Washburn on Jan. 16. Hot shooting from start to finish and smothering defense in the second half helped the Griffons to the convincing victory, the team’s 20th of the season.

Missouri Western took a 46-32 lead to halftime after shooting 61.3 percent from the field over the first two quarters. The Griffons outscored Lindenwood 20-10 in the third quarter and 27-8 in the fourth, shooting 48.6 percent from the field and holding Lindenwood to 25 percent shooting from the field in the second half. Missouri Western also forced the Lions into 31 turnovers, 21 of them steals for the Griffons.

LaQuinta Jefferson led Missouri Western once again with 27 points and added three assists. Sarafina Handy scored 13 on 3-4 shooting from three point range and also adding three assists. Chelsea Dewey led the Griffons with four assists and had 11 points along with Miliakere Koyamainavure, who had a team-high six rebounds.

The win gave Missouri Western a 20-win season for the first time since the 2004-05 season and improved the team’s MIAA record to 14-2, its most conference wins since 2001-02. The Griffons stay at home this weekend, hosting Lincoln on Saturday.

— MWSU Athletics —