Ten Griffons scored for the Missouri Western women’s basketball team as they defeated Southwest Baptist 73-63 Saturday inside the MWSU Fieldhouse.

The Griffons were led by Quenisha Lockett and Sharniece Lewis with 12 points apiece. Missouri Western improves to 6-9 overall and 2-7 in MIAA play.

The Griffons had a fast start scoring the first 13 points of the game after a jumper in the paint by Lanicia Lawrence with 16:00 minutes left in the half. The Bearcats responded with the long ball cutting the Griffon lead to 22-20 with 8:13 to play in the frame. During that stretch the Bearcats hit  four three’s, two apiece from Brook Duncan and Dilonna Johnson.

The rest of the half was a back and forth battle with the Griffons outscoring the Bearcats by four claiming the 38-32 lead at the break. The Griffons dominated the points in the paint with 24 to the Bearcats eight and had 23 points off 12 SBU turnovers.

The Griffons shot extremely well from the field making 51.5-percent (17-33) of their shots with four coming from beyond the arc. Quenisha Lockett scored 10 first half points on 5-of-9 shooting which included a layup as time expired in the half. The Bearcats were led by Johnson and Duncan with nine points apiece. All of which came off three pointers. SBU shot 44.4-percent (12-27) from the field and 46.2-percent (6-13) from long range.

The Griffons controlled the second half as they led by double digits for most of the frame. A S. Lewis three with 12:42 to play in the game pushed the Griffons lead to 50-39. From there the lead continued to grow for the Griffons leading by as many as 16 at 66-50 after a free throw by Jallisa Lewis with 5:23 to play. The Griffons cruised the rest of the way dropping the Bearcats to 7-8 overall and 2-6 in MIAA play.

Missouri Western shot 47.3-percent (26-55) from the field and 33.3-percent (5-15) from long range. They shot free throws well making 16-of-22. J. Lewis finished with 11 points while Tiara Hall had 9 points and 7 rebounds.

The Bearcats shot just 37.7-percent (23-61) from the field and 33.3-percent (8-24) from long range. They were led by Johnson with 19 points while Duncan and Mackenzie Skupa finished with 14 and 15 points respectively.

The Griffons return to action on Tuesday, January 21 when they take on Missouri Valley at 6:00 pm in the fieldhouse.

— MWSU Sports Information —