42 SECOND HALF POINTS LIFT SBU OVER CENtrAL METHODIST

December 9, 2003

Box

Gwyn Smith picked up her third double-double of the season with 18 points and 12 rebounds.

BOLIVAR, MO. ... Great defensive pressure in the second half led to Southwest Baptist University's (5-1) 74-47 win over Central Methodist College (5-5). SBU held CMC to just 18 points in the second half while the Lady Eagles only scored one bucket in the first 11 minutes of the second half. SBU was only up 32-29 at halftime.

Junior Gwyn Smith recorded her third double-double of the season with 18 points and 12 rebounds. Also scoring in double figures were Alicia Mercer (16), Jennifer Clymore (12), and Amber Wheeler (12).

A slow start in the first half and Central Methodist shooting 40% from the three-point line led to four different ties and two lead changes. SBU bolted out to a five-point lead in the first three minutes, 9-4, but the Lady Eagles fought back to tie the game at nine and 11 points. After a Jenny Miller jumper, CMC shot back with a Molly Thompson layup to tie the game again at 13. The Lady Bearcats pushed the lead back to four at the 10:40 mark on a Clymore free throw. CMC then scored the next five points to take a 20-19 lead with 8:58 left in the half. SBU reacted with a 13-2 run over six minutes for a 10-point lead, 32-22, at the 2:42 mark. Once again, CMC did not back down and shot back with their own 7-0 run to end the half and cut the lead to three, 32-29.

A stern locker room talk showed early in the second half as SBU came out on a tear. In the first 11 minutes of the second half, CMC only made one bucket and one free throw. SBU outscored CMC, 21-3, in that time span. CMC hit their second bucket in the second half at the 9:15 mark. With 8:52 to go, Clymore gave SBU a 21-point lead, 55-34. SBU never let the lead drop under 17 points the rest of the game as they went on for the 27-point victory.

In the second half, SBU held CMC to just 19% shooting from the floor and 0% from the three-point line as they were 0-7. For the game, CMC only shot 31% from the floor and 16% from beyond the arc. SBU shot 44% from the floor and 73 % from the free throw line. CMC outrebounded SBU, 43-42.

SBU will be back in action as they travel to Searcy, Arkansas, on Saturday, December 13th to take on Harding University. Gametime is at 6 p.m. Their next home game will not be until January 3rd when they host Emporia State.