JOPLIN, Mo. -- Rachel Graves had a career high 26 points, but it wasn't enough as the SBU Bearcats fell in overtime 92-87 to the Missouri Southern Lions.

The Bearcats (7-12, 4-8) had all five starters in double figures led by Graves. Mia Gilreath had 15, Jasmine Sanford had 13 and Cortney Shewmaker and Courtney Creed each had 12. Gilreath had 7 boards and Creed had a career high 8 assists for the ‘Cats. The Lions (16-4, 10-3) also put five players in double figures led by Nichole Helfrich with 23.

Rachel Graves had a career high 26 points.

“This was one of our best 40 minutes plus five efforts of the season,” said coach J.C. Carter. “We didn’t have the three or four minute drop off that we’ve had in some games. We're disappointed to not get the victory, but we still played well. We played with confidence that we haven’t had in some games on the road. We’re starting to believe, and it shows because we’re attacking the basket.”

“Rachel (Graves) prides herself on defense,” added Carter. “But lately she’s really stepped her game on the offensive side, driving to the basket and creating opportunities.”

The Bearcats would make a season high 15 three-pointers, hitting 56% from long distance. Both teams would shoot 48% from the field. MSSU would out-rebound SBU 40-31. The Bearcats would commit a season high 24 turnovers.

Creed gave the Bearcats the lead at 28-27 on a trey with 2:38 left in the first half. The ‘Cats would go to the break leading 33-31. SBU would push that margin to 40-32 early in the second half. SBU would continue to lead for much of the second half, before MSSU took the lead 65-63 on a steal by Myosha Barnes with 6:17 remaining.

SBU came right back on a three and later free throws from Gilreath. Danielle DeVader would tie the game at 68 with a three and later give the Lions a short lead at 71-70 with 4:45 left. SBU answered quickly with a baseline jumper from Sanford. SBU would extend the lead on free throws from Graves and Shewmaker and a bucket from Sanford. MSSU’s Helfrich would trim the lead to 77-75 with a layup with 57 seconds left in the second half.

A steal from DeVader gave Southern their final possession in regulation. Barnes would drive to the bucket for the game-tying bucket, knotting the game at 77 each. After an SBU timeout, SBU’s final shot came from Sanford, whose last second attempt came up short.

The extra basketball began with MSSU scoring the first three points, before Graves would answer with a spinning bucket for SBU. Barnes would give MSSU the lead for good on layup with 2:14 to go.

SBU returns home on Tuesday night to take on Pittsburg State, beginning at 5:30 p.m. On December 13,  PSU defeated SBU 74-64 in Pittsburg.

Final stats

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