The Missouri Western women struggled offensively in the second half scoring just 17 points falling 57-42 against the 17th ranked Fort Hays State Tigers. The Griffons had three players in double figures with Heather Howard dumping in 15. Alicia Bell had 13 rebounds in the effort as the Griffons fall to 8-2 overall and 1-1 in MIAA play.
Despite being down three starters the Griffons we able to outscore the 17th ranked Lady Tigers 12-4 in the final 5:34 of the first half claiming the 25-21 halftime lead. The Griffons played nine players in the first half and used 11 offensive rebounds to outscore Fort Hays State 10-0 on second chance points.
The Griffons shot just 31.3-percent (10-32) from the field but Howard made 4-of-5 shots and 2-of-3 from long range dumping in 10 points and snaring four rebounds. Alicia Bell had six points and two assists while Tiffanie Abrams dumped in eight points.
The Tigers shot 38.5-percent (10-26) from the field with Kate Lehman leading the charge with eight points on 4-of-7 shooting.
The Tigers came out in the second half scoring the first five points claiming the 26-25 lead. The Griffons regained the lead with 15:19 to play on a Howard jumper making the score 31-29. Unfortunately, that would be the last bucket for the Griffons for over ten minutes as the Tigers built a 15 point lead after a good free throw shot by Katelyn Edwards with 4:09 to play.
The Griffons continued to play hard but it would be too late as the Tigers stay undefeated improving to 8-0 overall and 2-0 in MIAA play.
Abrams and Alex Saxen each pitched in 10 points for the Griffons as MWSU shot just 25-percent (13-52) in the game which included just three field goals in the second half. The Griffons did manage to outrebound the Lady Tigers 42-40 and 16-to-11 on the offensive end of the floor.
The Lady Tigers finished shooting 39.6-percent (21-53) from the floor with Lehman leading the way with 17 points on 7-of-14 shooting. Edwards dumped in 12 points and had two assists.
The Griffons will be off for almost a month for the holiday break returning to action on January 3, 2013 against the University of Central Oklahoma Bronchos. Game time is set for 5:30 pm in Edmond, Okla.
— MWSU Sports Information —