TURNOVERS KEY IN LOSS FOR SBU TO NW MISSOURI STATE

December 30, 2003

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Junior Jennifer Clymore recorded a career-high 24 points in the loss to NW Missouri State.

MARYVILLE, MO. ... In the opening 2003-04 MIAA game, the Southwest Baptist University Lady Bearcats (8-2/0-1) turned the ball over 28 times in the 80-68 loss to Northwest Missouri State University (8-2/1-0). NWMSU scored 33 points off of SBU's turnovers in the 12-point win.

Junior Jennifer Clymore hit her first five shots of the game to race to 12 points at halftime with a two-of-two showing from the free throw line. She then added 12 more points in the second half to record a career high 24 points. Alicia Mercer netted 15 with eight rebounds while Amber Wheeler added 11. Gwyn Smith picked up her fifth double-double of the year with 10 points and 13 rebounds. Sarah Vollertsen had 16 points for NWMSU.

In the first three minutes of the game, SBU came out of the locker room and took an early four-point lead, 11-7, at the 17:05 mark. They improved their lead, twice, to five points before NWMSU made a run. SBU had their last lead of five points, 20-15, with 12:53 left in the first half. NWMSU then 16-6 run over eight minutes to take a five point lead, 31-26, at the 4:14 mark. A Wheeler three-pointer with 2:04 left cut the lead to one but the Lady Bearcats could not regain the lead as NWMSU took a three-point halftime lead, 39-36.

NWMSU kept their run going in the second half as they scored the first six points of the second half for a nine-point lead, 45-36. SBU brought it down to five points, 47-42 (16:38), but NWMSU pushed the lead back to nine points in a two minute time span. SBU responded with a 7-2 run to put themselves back in striking distance of four points, 53-49, but costly turnovers in the next two possessions put NWMSU's lead back to nine points again. SBU had the lead down to four points two more times and then cut it to three points, 62-59, at the 6:38 mark, but NWMSU's stifling defense forced several turnovers again as they slowly ran away with the game in the final six minutes.

SBU had great shooting percentages with 50% from the floor, 42% from three-point range, and 62% from thre free-throw line. They also outrebounded NWMSU, 41-29. NWMSU forced 28 turnovers to their own 11 is what the difference in the game was.

The Lady Bearcats will be back in action again on Saturday, January 3rd, as they host Emporia State University in Davison Field House at 1:30 p.m.