RUN IN 2ND HALF NOT StrONG ENOUGH FOR LADY BEARCATS

February 5 , 2005

Jenny Hancock scored a career high 33 points for the Lady Cats. The 33 points was the most by any player at SBU this season women or men and was the most points scored in a game since February, 18, 2004 at UMR.

[Final Stats] [Gamenotes]

BOLIVAR, MO. … A slow start in the first half was costly to the Southwest Baptist University Lady Bearcats (9-12/3-9) as Missouri Western (15-6/7-5) held off SBU offense in the final four minutes of the game, 89-85. SBU cut the lead to two,87-85, with 00:06 left in the game but MWSC’s Carly Lee nailed two free throws for the win.

After only scoring eight points in the first half, Jenny Hancock exploded for 25 second half points for a career-high 33 points. She also was a perfect 10-of-10 from the free throw line and recorded only her third career double-double. Her previous career high was 28 vs. Ozark Christian. Three other Lady Bearcats were in double figures with Gwyn Smith (16), Amber Wheeler (13), and Jennifer Clymore (12). MWSC had five players in double figures with the MIAA scoring leader, Selma Barbosa, leading the way with 21.

SBU hit the opening basket for their only lead of the game, 2-0, when MWSC responded with a 16-4 run and a 10-point lead, 16-6, at the 14:17 mark. Hancock cut the Griffon’s lead to six, 21-15, with 9:40 to go in the half but MWSC pulled away with a 14-7 run over four minutes for a 13-point lead, 35-22. Closing out the first half, SBU finished on a 11-4 run to bring the score to 42-35.

Only hitting 9% of their shots from three-point land in the first half, (1-11), SBU also only hit 37% of their shots to MWSC 60%.

MWSC brought the lead back up to double-digits, 45-35, on their first shot of the second half only to see SBU make a run of their own. In just three minutes, the Lady Bearcats cut the lead down to two, 45-43, on an 8-0 run. SBU had two opportunities in the next minute to tie the game but could not convert. MWSC followed those missed opportunities with an 8-3 run to extend their lead to seven, 53-46.

By the 7:28 mark, the Griffons had a 14-point lead, their largest of the game, on a three-pointer by Eldra Paixao. SBU then came back with yet another short run to bring MWSC lead to four, 71-67, with 5:09 left. The lead stayed in the single digits the rest of the game but SBU could not overcome MWSC’s offense as they scored key buckets when needed.

SBU finished the game shooting 39% from the floor and just 22% from the three-point line. They did shot 96% from the free throw line, their best of the year. MWSC came away shooting 54% from the floor, 43% from beyond the arc, and 65% from the free throw line. SBU demolished MWSC in rebounds, 43-29, but the Lady Griffons had 10 steals to SBU’s seven.

The Lady Bearcats will host #4 Washburn University on Thursday, February 10, in the Meyer Sports Center at 5:45.

Notes: Gwyn Smith recorded her 34th career double-double … Jenny Hancock is the first SBU basketball player this season (men or women) to score over 30 points … The Jane and Ken Meyer Wellness and Sports Center was dedicated in between the women’s and men’s game … The Meyer Wellness and Sports Center was a 13 million dollar project … MWSC has now swept the series from SBU in three out of the last four years.