LADY BEARCATS BRING HOME SEASON OPENING WIN

November 19, 2004

Gwyn Smith led SBU with 15 points and eight rebounds.

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PITTSBURG, KS. … A strong offensive presence pushed the Southwest Baptist University Lady Bearcats (1-0) to a season opening win over Columbia College (5-2) in the 11 th Annual Chatters Roundball Classic at Pittsburg State, 76-66. SBU shot 50% from the floor in the second half.

An offense that put up 38 points each half had four SBU players in double figures. Gwyn Smith led the Lady Bearcats with 15 points and eight rebounds. Ashley Bland canned 14 points while Jennifer Clymore had 13 and Jenny Hancock 11.

In the first three minutes of the game, SBU jumped out to a 9-4 lead and then by the 12:49 mark extended their lead to nine, 19-10, on a layup by Clymore. CC responded with a 14-4 run that gave them their first lead of the game, 24-23, with 7:43 to go in the half. This led to two more lead changes with the first coming by Clymore when she put SBU back on top by one but CC’s Tiffany Foote nailed two free throws to again retake the lead by one, 26-25. SBU’s Amber Wheeler hit her first jumper of the year to give the Lady Bearcats the lead, 27-26, and then made two free throws at the 5:22 mark to extend the lead to three. Just 40 seconds later, CC’s Charliss Ridley hit a shot to give them their final lead of the game. SBU went on a 9-3 run to finish the half and take a five-point lead into the locker room, 38-33.

CC came within two of SBU at the 13:14 mark in the second half but the SBU offense became hot and couldn’t be stopped. Over the next seven minutes, SBU only missed four of their 12 shots on a 19-4 run to take a 17-point lead. Clymore made it a 17-point lead at the 5:29 mark on a three-pointer. With 3:21 to go in the game, Jenny Miller swooshed a three-pointer to give SBU their largest lead of the game at 20 points.

CC did not give up as they cut the lead to 10 with 00:31 to go but that is as close as they would get.

In the second half, Jenny Miller scored all over her eight points and then Jenny Hancock had nine of her 11 points. SBU also shot 50% from the floor and 60% from beyond the arc.

Overall, SBU forced 23 turnovers, had 10 steals, but were out rebounded by CC, 37-34.

SBU will now take on Tarleton State at 5:30 p.m. on Saturday, November 20.