Basketball (Women's)
First half run by NWMSU downs SBU in home finale
By
Feb 18, 2006, 22:54

Cortney Shewmaker had 14 points for SBU.

[box vs. NWMSU]

BOLIVAR, MO. ... Clinging to a five-point lead in the first half, the Southwest Baptist University women's basketball team saw Northwest Missouri State go on a 19-3 run for an 11-point lead as the green Lady Bearcats took control of the game.  NWMSU then took an 84-79 win in the season home finale at the Meyer Sports Center.

SBU made a valiant effort in the final 2:54 of the game when they were down by 15, 78-63.  The Lady Bearcats shaved NWMSU's 15-point lead down to four, 83-79, with just 00:14 left in the game.  Livia Brito's four-point play put SBU within four.  SBU then fouled NWMSU as the green Lady Bearcats missed both free throws and gave life to SBU with just 12 seconds left.  With 00:07 left in the game, SBU was looking to cut the lead to one but the official called a carry on Brito as SBU turned the ball over.  NWMSU was fouled on the throw in and then Meghan Blay made 1-of-2 free throws for the five-point win.

Traci Bybee led SBU with 19 points, one shy of her career-high.  Brito had 16 points and now has scored 10 or more points in six out of hte last seven games.  Cortney Shewmaker tallied 14 while Casey Beavers added 12.  Leslie Hanchey grabbed a career-high eight rebounds for SBU.  NWMSU's Laura Friederich led all scorers with 21 points.

Leslie Hanchey grabbed a career-high eight rebounds vs. NWMSU.

NWMSU raced out to a 4-0 lead in the first 1:43 and then Beavers put SBU on the board at the 18:05 mark with two free throws.  That sparked a 13-4 run to put SBU up by five, 13-8, at the 14:38 mark.  NWMSU scored the next five points to tie the game only to see SBU answer with a 9-3 run and a six-point advantage, 22-16.  With 9:02 left in the half, SBU had a five-point lead, 26-21, when NWMSU took control of the game on a 19-3 run over the next five minutes.  SBU only hit one shot in that time span as NWMSU took an 11-point lead, 40-29, with just 3:40 left in the half.  NWMSU took a nine-point lead, 44-35, into the locker room.

SBU shot 42% overall and 40% beyond the arc but NWMSU canned 52% of their shots and 50% from the three-point line.  SBU did out rebound NWMSU, 37-34, but had one more turnover, 21-20. 

SBU is tied with Truman State for the final spot in the race for the MIAA Tournament.  The Lady Bearcats sit one-game behind Pittsburg State for the 7th and 8th place in the MIAA.  SBU will face PSU on Wednesday, February 22, at 5:30 p.m. in Pittsburg, Kansas.

Notes: NWMSU has now defeated SBU in nine straight games and won the last four series...SBU's last win over NWMSU came in the 2001-02 season, 78-68...Livia Brito has scored 10 or more points in six of the last seven games...SBU has shot over 40% from 3-point range in seven games this season...This is the 13th game this season that SBU has out rebounded its opponent...The 88% FT shooting is 2nd best this season only to 92% vs. PSU earlier this year...Leslie Hanchey grabbed a career-high 8 rebounds...This is the 5th time this season that Traci Bybee has been in double figures...Casey Beavers now needs just three blocks to hold the single season record for blocks.