[box vs. CMSU]  [pics vs. CMSU]

Livia Brito had 15 points against Central Missouri State.

BOLIVAR, MO. ... Clinging to a nine-point lead with 8:35 to go in the game, Southwest Baptist University couldn't hold off Central Missouri State as the Jennies went on a 19-2 run to take a 66-58 lead and cruise to a 70-66 victory.  SBU had the lead for atleast seven minutes in the second half.

Livia Brito and Casey Beavers each had 15 points to lead SBU as Beavers was the leading rebounder with seven.  Lindsey Maple had 22 for CMSU.

With 10 ties in the first half, both teams battled for the lead.  CMSU roared out to a five-point lead, 9-4, before SBU tied the game at nine with 13:52 to go in the half.  CMSU answered with another 5-0 run before SBU scored five straight points to tie the game again at 19.  After the ninth tie at 30 (00:40), CMSU's Cydney Franklin hit 1-of-2 free throws for a one-point lead.  SBU's Kristina Salscheider then nailed two free throws with three seconds left to push SBU to a 32-31 halftime lead.

At the 12:28 mark, CMSU and SBU were tied for the 12th time at 41 when the Lady Bearcats went on a 14-4 run over three minutes for a nine-point lead, 54-45.  They kept their nine-point lead at the 8:35 mark, 56-47, when CMSU rolled into gear.  In the nex three minutes, SBU did not hit a shot and CMSU had a 13-0 run to take a four-point lead, 60-56.  CMSU continued their run in the next three minutes to complete the 19-2 run over six minutes for a 66-58 advantage at the 2:27 mark.  SBU did cut the lead to three on two Cortney Shewmaker free throws with 51 seconds left but SBU could not get the defensive rebound on the other end after a CMSU miss with 33 seconds left.  CMSU went on to finish the game, 70-66.

SBU out shot CMSU, 51% to 46%.  CMSU did out rebound SBU, 30-23, but SBU had more steals, 14-12.  SBU finished the game shooting 43% from three-point range.

The Lady Bearcats will have their hands full on Saturday, January 14, as they travel to Topeka, Kansas, to take on the #1 team in the nation, Washburn University, at 5:30 p.m.