ST. JOSEPH – A furious run in the fourth quarter helped the No. 7 Missouri Western Women’s Basketball team close an MIAA Championship season with a big win, 77-61, over Central Missouri.

Not long after the game began, Fort Hays State’s loss at Central Oklahoma clinched an outright MIAA Regular Season Championship for the Griffons. Not long after that announcement was made, Missouri Western went on an 8-0 run to take the lead over Central Missouri. But it was a 13-0 run in the fourth quarter that propelled the Griffons to the convincing regular season finale.

With the game tied at 49, Missouri Western scored 13 straight to take total control of the game and add to their MIAA record, 20 conference wins and program record, 26 regular season wins.

The Griffons were led by LaQuinta Jefferson, who scored 25 points in her final regular season game inside the MWSU Fieldhouse. All four seniors finished in double figures, including senior Miliakere Koyamainavure’s double-double of 13 points and 11 rebounds. Mhykeah Baez added 11 points and Sarafina Handy scored 10.

The Griffons clinched the top overall seed in the MIAA Tournament and will face the winner of the eight-nine matchup on Thursday, March 3 at 6 p.m. in Kansas City, Missouri’s Municipal Auditorium. Southwest Baptist drew the nine seed and will play at eighth seeded Nebraska-Kearney on Monday, Feb. 29.

— MWSU Athletics —