The Missouri Western women’s team defeated Truman State Wednesday night at MWSU Fieldhouse 71-64. The Griffons improved to 8-1 and 1-0 in conference play. It was Truman’s first loss of the season to drop the Bulldogs to 5-1.
Heather Howard led the way with 13 points and seven rebounds. After a slow start, the Griffons regrouped to close the first half strong.
The Griffons outscored the Bulldogs 16-10 in the paint and had eight second chance points claiming a 35-28 halftime lead over undefeated Truman State. The Griffons used a 16-8 run in the final 8:29 of the first frame which was led by eight points from Howard to claim the lead. Howard finished with 10 points in the first half.
The Bulldogs controlled the first 12 minutes of the game behind 10 points from Jennifer Conway. TSU led by as many as four points four different times which included the last time at 18-14 with 9:53 to play in the frame.
MWSU gained control the rest of the half shooting 51.6-percent (16-31) from the field and making 3-of-6 three point shots. The Griffons forced 10 Bulldog turnovers and had six offensive rebounds. Truman shot 63.2-percent (12-19) from the field and made 3-of-4 long range shots. They struggled from the foul line make just 1-of-7 free throws.
The Griffons built momentum in the second half, and took a commanding 42-33 lead with 16:51 to play off of Brittany Griswold’s layup. Their lead hit double-digits nearly 10 minutes later when JaQuitta Dever knocked down two free throws to give Missouri Western a 56-45 lead with 6:57 to play.
The Bulldogs closed within six with less than a minute to go after Becka McHenry nailed a 3-pointer. Truman then missed a 3 with 27 seconds to play down 70-64, giving the ball back to the Griffons who finished off the victory.
Missouri Western finished 11-of-13 from the free-throw line, all in the second half.
Dever added 12 points, and Alicia Bell helped the Griffons out on defense with three steals.
The win was just the Griffons second home opening victory in the past six years. The Griffons continue MIAA play this Saturday when they host Fort Hays State at 1:30 p.m.
— MWSU Sports Information —