For the second-straight game, the Missouri Western Women’s Basketball team made a late push but ultimately came up short. This time it was an 86-81 loss at Nebraska-Kearney on Monday for the Griffons 15th straight road loss. All of that came despite, a career night from LaQuinta Jefferson.

Trailing by 11 with five minutes remaining, the Griffons clawed back to tie the game on a Jefferson layup, 78-78, with 1:08 left on the clock. Nebraska-Kearney responded with a three to go back ahead with 48 seconds left and never let MWSU back in it.

Jefferson’s layup to tie gave her a career-high 40 points. It was the first time a Griffon has scored 40 or more since Ashleigh Curry dropped 40 against BYU-Hawaii on Dec. 19, 2006. Aside from Jefferson’s 19 first half points, the Griffons mustered little offensively, shooting just 9-28 from the field. For the game, MWSU shot 45 percent from the field and 32 percent from behind the arc. They shot 11 more field goals than the Lopers but were hurt by the cold shooting in the first half and 22 turnovers that resulted in 30 of the Lopers points.

The Griffons get a break from the road, with a three-game homestand beginning Thursday night. They host No. 1 Emporia State on Thursday with No. 5 Pittsburg State coming to the fieldhouse on Saturday.

— MWSU Sports Information —