Amber Wheeler scored 14 points.

BOLIVAR, MO - The SBU Lady 'Cats lost to #2 Missouri Western, 83-73.

Cortney Shewmaker had 16 points, which included a 3-pointer with 3:22 to play, that brought SBU to within a single point.

Everyone, including coach Jim Middleton, thought SBU was going to pull off a giant upset.

Erica Reeves picked up 9 points and 4 boards in 22 minutes of action.

"We gave a great effort tonight. We felt we were going to win. We just came off of a tough game and we were ready to play tonight. But we allowed too many layups. It was good, however, to see that we rebounded better. I was pleased with the way (Erica) Reeves played tonight. Our program is turning around and we're still a young team. We're just going to have to go on the road this weekend and return the favor to Truman."

Western's Ashleigh Curry had 31 points on 10-17 from the field and 8-8 from the stripe. Inga Buzoka, the MIAA Player of the Week, played only 14 minutes tonight.

SBU put 3 players in double figures: Shewmaker (16), Amber Wheeler (14), and Livia Brito (12). Shewmaker was 8-9 from the free throw line.

SBU's only lead came with 10 minutes left in the contest.

The Lady 'Cats are now 11-9 overall and 3-7 in the MIAA. They travel to Truman State on Satuday for a 1:30 tipoff.

Final Stats