ST. JOSEPH – The Missouri Western women’s basketball team (5-1) used red-hot shooting from behind the arc to lift itself to a convincing 87-56 win over Missouri S&T Friday night.

The Griffons scored 33 of their points in their opening game of the Holiday Inn Express/Candlewood Suites Classic on three point field goals. Missouri Western shot 55 percent (11-20) from behind the arc on the night, including 5-7 shooting from Savannah Lentz, who scored a game-high 20 points. Lakota Goe was 3-3 from long range and scored 13 points.

Missouri Western was also able to force 25 Missouri S&T turnovers on the night, picking up 11 steals, four by Julia Torres.

Dwanisha Tate added 14 points and Chelsea Dewey had 11 with five assists.

The Griffons continue play in the classic on Saturday with William Jewell at 5 p.m. William Jewell defeated Northwest Missouri State 64-53 on Friday night in the fieldhouse.

— MWSU Athletics —