LADY BEARCATS FIND A AWAY TO WIN OVER MISSOURI-ROLLA

January 13, 2003

Box

#44 Alicia Mercer was one of the four starters for SBU that recorded double figures in scoring with 15 points.

BOLIVAR, MO. ... Great defensive pressure and an 11-0 run midway through the second half propelled the Southwest Baptist University Lady Bearcats (11-3/3-2) to a 63-57 win over the University of Missouri-Rolla (4-10/0-5). UMR was ahead 47-44 with 10:07 to play when SBU put together their run over a six-minute period to take control of the game.

Four of the five SBU starters record double digits in scoring. Senior Alicia Mercer led the way with 15 points. Both Jennifer Clymore and Gwyn Smith had 13 points and Amber Wheeler added 12. Mercer was the leading rebounder with eight. For UMR, both Nicole Dierking and Andrea Durante had 13 points.

In the first three minutes, the Lady Bearcats jumped out to a five point lead, 7-2. An 8-0 run over the next four minutes gave UMR their first lead, 10-7, with 13:01 left in the half. Ashley Bland tied the game just 30 seconds later with a three-pointer as SBU had a 9-2 run for a four-point lead, 16-12 in just three minutes. The Lady Miners battled back slowly and retook the lead on a Dierking three-point play at the 4:10 mark. Once again, SBU answered with a 9-0 run to finish the half with a seven-point advantage, 28-21.

The Lady Miners did not go away easily in the second half. They cut the lead to two, 36-34, with 13:27 to go and then tied the game at 37 at the 12:54 mark. The lead changed hands four different times in the next minute until the score was tied again at 42 (11:52). With 10:49, Wheeler nailed a jumper for the two-point lead, but UMR's Dierking swooshed a three-pointer to retake the lead. In just 30 seconds, UMR hit another jumper and a three-point lead, 47-44. It was at this point that SBU went on the 11-0 run. UMR did come within two-points, 59-57, with 1:54 to go, but that is as close as they could get. Clymore canned a jumper with less than 30 second left in the game for a six-point advantage. UMR failed at a three-point attempt as SBU went on for the win.

SBU out rebounded UMR, 30-28. The Lady Bearcats also shot 51% from the floor, 50% from three-point range, and 61% from the free throw line.

On Saturday, January 17th, the Lady Bearcats will travel to Joplin, Missouri, to take on Missouri Southern at 5:30 p.m.