JOPLIN, MO - The Lady 'Cats had a cold night on the offensive end tonight, and lost a MIAA match to Missouri Southern 65-48.

Erika Souza led SBU with 12 points.

SBU shot 28.6% from the field tonight on 16-56. Their first field goal didn't come until the 13:30 mark, on a jumper from Livia Brito. Their next field goal didn't come until the 8:00 mark of the first half on a layup by Traci Bybee.

SBU was 2-22 (9.1%) from the three point line. At one point, they were 0-18 until Amber Wheeler hit a trey with 6:30 left in the game.

SBU's 48 points were 25 below their season average of 73 ppg.

Coach Jim Middleton talked about the low offensive output.

"You can't let your shooting dictate what happens. Give Southern credit, they played with a lot of intensity. We've got to look ahead. We've got a big one on Monday (Fort Hays State). We have to treat every game we play like a championship game. It's there for the taking."

Courtney Creed at the foul line.

Despite the slow start tonight, SBU climbed back into the game and was down only 6 points at the 17 minute mark of the second half. Good free throw shooting (10 of 10 in the first half) contributed largely to their comeback.

Erica Souza led SBU's scoring with 12 points. Cortney Shewmaker added 10. Rachel Graves had 10 rebounds.

SBU falls to 12-10 on the season, 4-10 in the MIAA. They host Fort Hays State on Monday night with a 5:45 tip.

Final Stats