For the 33rd straight game senior guard Jessica Koch scored in double figures for the Griffons finishing with 16 points in the 68-56 road loss against the Lincoln Blue Tigers. Western got outscored 36-30 in the paint and outrebounded 18 to six on the offensive end falling to 6-17 overall and 4-13 in MIAA play. Western also sits at 0-9 on the road in MIAA play.
The Blue Tigers closed the first half on an 18-6 run claiming a 39-27 halftime lead. The MIAA’s leading scoring Koch played just 10 minutes in the half as she picked up two early fouls. She finished with five points in the frame. Fortunately, Ashleigh Curry came of the bench and connected on three long range shots keeping Western close. Curry and Alicia Bell combined for five three’s with Curry leading Western with nine points.
Western turned the ball over 13 times which turned into 11 Lincoln points. Lincoln had eight offensive rebounds leading to 11 points as Arriana Walker and Vivian Essuon led the way for Lincoln with 12 points apiece.
Lincoln shot 46.7-percent (14-30) from the field while the Griffons shot just 37.5-percent (9-24) in the half. The Blue Tigers made 7-of-8 free throws while the Griffons made 4-of-5.
The Blue Tigers came out in the second half on fire building its 12 points halftime lead to 18 at 51-33 after a Bre Dillard jumper with 14:39 to play. With the game looking out of hand the Griffons went on a 15-4 run in the next seven minutes cutting the Blue Tiger lead to seven at 55-48 after a lay-up by Charlonda Bozeman with 6:18 to play.
Unfortunately the Griffons struggled the rest of the game offensively getting outscored by five down the stretch falling 68-56. The Blue Tigers improve to 14-9 overall and 8-9 in MIAA action.
Western had three other players in double figures with Curry and Abby Stone finishing with 11 points apiece while Bell pitched in 10. Bell also led the squad with eight rebounds. Western struggled from the free throw line making just 7 of 14 attempts.
The Blue Tigers were led by Essuon and Walker as they both finished with double-doubles. Essuon had 20 points and 10 rebounds while Walker had 12 points and 10 assists.
Western will close out the road portion of their MIAA schedule on Saturday, February 18 when they travel to Kirksville, mo. to take on the Truman State Bulldogs. Game time is set for 1:00 pm from Pershing Arena.
— MWSU Sports Information —