LAST SECOND SHOT SEALS SBU’S FATE FOR THIRD StrAIGHT TIME

February 12, 2005

Amber Wheeler led all scorers with 20 points.

[Final Stats] [Gamenotes]

JOPLIN, MO. … With just 00:00.6 left in the game, Aubrie Hallman lofted a 13-foot shot in the air the hit nothing but net as Missouri Southern came from behind to defeat Southwest Baptist, 61-60. It was the third straight time that MSSU has defeated SBU on a last second shot.

MSSU’s Vonny Wilson banked a shot off the backboard with 00:18 left in the game to give the Lady Lions a one-point lead. Just 12 seconds later, Amber Wheeler was fouled and sent to the free throw line. She then nailed two free throws that looked what would be the game winning points before Hallman’s shot.

Wheeler led all scorers with 20 points while Jenny Hancock had 11. Gwyn Smith had eight rebounds to lead the team. MSSU had three players in double figures with Vonny Wilson canning 18 points.

Shooting 90% (10-11) from the free throw line in the first half, SBU held an eight-point advantage at half, 33-25. SBU was only up one, 22-21, with 4:23 to go as they put together an 11-4 run to take the eight-point lead. SBU made 3-of-5 from then floor in the last 2:50 minutes for the lead.

MSSU started out the game on a 5-0 run only to see score the next eight points for an 8-5 lead. MSSU tied the game at eight but could not get the lead. SBU would keep their lead the rest of the half. MSSU came within one-point four times before SBU finished the half on their run.

Scoring eight straight points to begin the second half, MSSU tied the game at 33. SBU shot right back at them with their own 6-0 run to take a 39-33 advantage. SBU then miss their next four shots and MSSU reeled off a 7-2 run to cut the lead to one, 41-40. In the next minute, both Jenny Miller and Smith would make baskets to put SBU back at five, 45-40
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The Lady Lions slowly crept back at SBU’s lead and by the 4:43 mark, MSSU’s Greninger tied the game at 49. On the next possession, Andrea Gossard netted a three-pointer for their first lead since the 18:39 mark in the first half.

At this point, Wheeler took over the game as she scored SBU’s final 10 of 11 points to end the game. With 3:56 left, she hit two free throws to cut the lead to one, 52-51, and then at the 1:43 mark she hit a three-pointer to put SBU back on top, 54-53. MSSU’s Wilson converted a shot with 1:23 to go to retake the lead, 55-54, but Wheeler nailed her second three-pointer in under a minute to give SBU a two-point lead, 57-55.

Wilson tied the game a third time at 57 with just under a minute to go. With 00:35 left, Jenny Hancock converted one-of-two free throws to put SBU ahead by one. Once again Wilson took control with MSSU hitting a shot with 18 seconds left. This then led to Wheeler’s free throws with 00:06 left.

For the game, SBU finished shooting 37% from the floor, 27% from beyond the arc, and 83% from the stripe. MSSU shot 43% overall, 42% from three-point land, and 60% from the free throw line. MSSU out rebounded SBU 39-30 and forced 15 turnovers.

SBU will host Missouri-Rolla at the new Meyer Sports Center on Tuesday, February 15, at 5:45 p.m.