The Missouri Western women couldn’t complete the second half comeback falling 77-72 against Missouri S&T in the final game of the Doubletree/Houlihans Thanksgiving Classic. Sharniece Lewis finished with a career high 22 points making six three point shots. The Griffons fall to 4-2 on the season.
The first half belonged to the Miners as they built a nine point lead at 25-16 midway through the first half when Jaaron Kassanavoid finished a three point play at the 9:25 mark of the frame. From there the Griffons could only cut the lead to five at the half at 38-33.
In the half the Griffons made just 12-of-36 shots and 6-of-13 free throws. Ariana Novak led the way with eight points while Sharniece Lewis had seven points. Tiffanie Abrams led the way on the boards with seven rebounds.
The Miners made 15-of-32 shots and 5-of-8 free throws. They were led by Kassanavoid and Toni Knar with nine points apiece. Kylie Cooper finished with six rebounds.
In the second half the Griffons used a 12-2 run capped by a Sharniece Lewis three pointer giving the Griffons a 59-55 lead with 8:54 to play in the game. Jallisa Lewis gave the Griffons their first lead of the game on a free throw with 9:28 to play. The Griffons took its largest lead of the game at 71-66 when Sharniece Lewis hit another three with 4:02 to play but the rest of the game belonged to the Miners as they outscored the Griffons 11-1 picking up the five point victory.
Novak and Quenisha Locket finished with 17 and 10 points respectively while Abrams finished with eight boards. MWSU made just 10-of-22 free throws and 10-of-31 three pointers in the contest.
The Miners improve to 4-2 on the season as they had four players in double figures. Kylie Cooper and Knar each had 16 in the game.
The Griffons return to action next on Saturday, December 7 in their MIAA opener. They will host the Fort Hays State Tigers at 1:30 pm in the fieldhouse.
Doubletree Houlihan’s All-Tournament Team
Bethanie Funderburk (Drury)
Kylie Williamson (Drury)
Amy Philamlee (Union)
Shariece Lewis (Missouri Western)
Toni Knar (Missouri S&T)
— MWSU Sports Information —