[box vs. CMSU]
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| Casey Beavers had 10 points for SBU. |
WARRENSBURG, MO. … A giant momentum shift in the first half propelled Central Missouri State over the Southwest Baptist University women’s basketball team, 80-47. SBU had a six-point lead, 24-18, with 5:54 left in the first half when CMSU went on a 19-4 run to take an 11-point lead into the half as they never looked back.
Casey Beavers and Livia Brito led SBU with 10 points each. Brito recorded her 5th double-double of the year with 10 rebounds to lead SBU. Tiffany Vincent led CMSU with 15 points.
A roller coaster ride took place in the first half for both teams. The first 10 minutes of the half featured six ties. CMSU took a 7-4 lead in the first three minutes but Shewmaker tied the game on a three-pointer at the 15:07 mark after a two-minute scoring drought by the Lady Bearcats. A three-pointer by CMSU made it 10-7 but Brito answered right back with her own three-pointer with 14:30 to go. Casey Beavers gave SBU their first lead of the game, 12-10, with 13:46 to go but CMSU tied the game just over a minute later. The game was tied three more ties with when CMSU tied the game at 18 with 9:20 left in the half.
At this point CMSU went on a dry spell as they did not make a basket over the next four minutes. In those four minutes, SBU went on a 6-0 run for a 24-18 lead. With 5:54 left in the half, Shewmaker nailed two free throws for the six-point lead.
Just as it was looking good for SBU, the Lady Bearcats only scored four in the final 5:54 as CMSU went on a 19-4 run to end the half. CMSU started off with an 11-0 run over 2:39 minutes. That run put the Jennies ahead, 29-24, with 3:15 to play. SBU cut the lead to three on two free throws by Courtney Creed but that is as close as the Lady Bearcats would get. CMSU outscored SBU 8-2 in the final three minutes as they were down, 37-28 at the half.
SBU started the second half with two straight turnovers as CMSU took a 13-point lead, 43-30 with 17:53 to go. SBU cut the lead to 10, 45-35, on a Kristina Salscheider shot with 16:15 left. CMSU made it a 14-point lead, 49-35, at the 13:59 mark and then Stephanie Studanski brought the lead down to 12 with 13:52 to go. Over the next 7:21, SBU did not hit a shot as CMSU went on a 10-0 run for a 22-point lead. CMSU then pushed their lead to 30, 70-40, with 4:40 to go as they went on for the victory.
The Lady Bearcats shot 28% from the floor to CMSU’s 42%. SBU was also out rebounded, 48-33. From three-point land, SBU shot just 13%.
SBU will be home for their final home game of the year when they host NW Missouri State at 5:30 p.m. on Saturday, February 18.
