MSSU RUN IN SECOND HALF ENDS LADY BEARCATS CHANCES FOR A WIN

January 17, 2003

Box

Junior Jenny Miller had a career-high 15 points vs. MSSU

JOPLIN, MO. ... A 15-0 run with 16:18 left in the game put Missouri Southern State Unviersity (11-4/2-4) ahead for good as they went on to defeat Southwest Baptist University (11-4/3-3), 64-52. SBU was only behind 34-31 when MSSU made their run.

Junior Jenny Miller went 5-10 from the floor and 4-6 from the three-point line to record a career-high 15 points. Alicia Mercer added a double-double with 13 points and 11 rebounds.

In the first eight minutes of the game, it was a back nd fourth game with three different lead changes. SBU had a four-point lead, 12-8, with 12:25 remaining. In a minute in a half, MSSU tied the game at 13 before they took a two-point lead. A Miller three-pointer put SBU back ahead by one but MSSU answered right back on their next possession to retake the lead. Jen Turpin stepped to the free throw line for her first free throws of the season and went one-of-two to tie the game at 17 with 7:31 left in the half. It was at this point that MSSU took the lead for good and didn't give it up. MSSU's Aubrie Hallman nailed a three-pointer to start a 5-0 run and extend their lead to 22-17. A Mercer lay-up cut it to three points, 22-19 (5:08). Just a minute later, MSSU made a layup (4:09) and Miller answered that with another three-pointer to bring the Lady Bearcats within two, 24-22. After two missed shots by SBU to tie the game, MSSU scored four points in a row to take a six-point lead, 28-22. With 18 second left, Gwyn Smith hit jumper from the top of the key to put SBU back within four, 28-24, only to see MSSU hit two free throws before half for a six-point lead, 30-24.

At the 16:18 mark in the second half, Smith cut the MSSU lead to three, 34-41, after MSSU had taken a seven point lead. It was at this point that MSSU made their 15-0 run to put the game away. By teh 9:26 mark, MSSU had an 18-point lead, 49-31. SBU reeled off nine straight points in three minutes to put the lead back to single digits (9), 49-40. SBU's momentum was stopped abruptly as MSSU made two jumpers in 45 seconds to regain a 13-point lead. SBU did get the lead back down to eight, 55-47, with 1:12 left, but it was too late for the comeback.

30% shooting from the floor and 17 turnovers by SBU led to MSSU's win. MSSU shot 43% from the floor and 50% from beyond the arc. They also outrebounded SBU, 40-38.

SBU will host nationally ranked Washburn University at 5:45 p.m. on Tuesday, January 20th, in Davison Field House in a key MIAA game.