ST. JOSEPH, Mo. – The Missouri Western women’s basketball team kept their season alive with an impressive 80-56 win Tuesday over Lincoln in the first round of the MIAA Tournament at the MWSU Fieldhouse.

With the win, MWSU advances to Kansas City’s Municipal Auditorium to take on No. 2 seed Emporia State on Friday at 6 p.m.

The Griffons never trailed in what was a close battle early but the Griffons began to open up late in the first half and blew wide open early in the second half. The Griffons took a 39-28 lead to the break, shooting 48 percent from the field and 35 percent from three-point range. Missouri Western took their largest lead of the second half with five seconds left in the frame on Sarafina Handy’s second-straight three. Handy scored the Griffons final six points to close the half and give the team an 11-point lead at halftime.

MWSU opened the second half on a tear, expanding their lead to 22 with 14:25 left in the game and never really looked back. Lincoln never got within 15 points in the second half.

For the game, Western shot 53 percent from the field, including 58 percent in the second half. They were 44 percent from three-point range and 80 percent at the free throw line. Ariana Novak led all scorers with 18 points. LaQuinta Jefferson finished with 16 points and Handy finished with 17. Teara Hall and Miliakere Koyamainavure each had nine points and eight rebounds. Koyamainavure added six assists.

The Griffons sit 15-11 on the season after winning their first MIAA tournament game in the fieldhouse since they defeated Washburn 54-51 for the tournament championship in 2002. Rob Edmisson is now 2-1 in MIAA tournament play.

— MWSU Sports Information —