StrONG FIRST HALF LEADS TO SBU WIN

February 15, 2005

Amber Wheeler has now made 23 consecutive free throws and had a game high 19 points and the team with 4 assists.

[Final Stats] [Gamenotes]

BOLIVAR, MO. … Making a 20-3 run to end the first half, Southwest Baptist took control of the game to sweep the University of Missouri-Rolla, 62-47. With SBU clinging onto a two-point lead, 20-18, at the 9:49 mark, the Lady Bearcats made a run that would secure them the win.

Amber Wheeler, who led all scorers with 19 points, scored six of those points in the run. She went 4-of-4 from the foul line and scored the final bucket just before the buzzer. Gwyn Smith had her 35th career double-double with 16 points and 12 rebounds and Jenny Hancock added 14 points. Becca Kueny had 11 for UMR.

Leading from the opening bucket to the end of the game, SBU took a quick 10-4 lead in the first three minutes of the game. They extended their lead to seven, twice, but was cut to three both times. UMR came within two points, 20-18, with 9:49 to go in the half when SBU made their run. Wheeler started the run when she canned two free throws at the 9:17 mark.

UMR made only one basket in the last 9:49 when Deosha Agnew hit a lay up at the 5:21 mark. Agnew then made a free throw with 2:19 left. SBU’s 19-point lead at halftime was their largest lead of the game.

The Lady Bearcats kept their distance in the second half, but UMR would not go away easy. At the 10:14 mark, SBU had a 17-point lead, 48-31, and the Lady Miners crept back into the game. In the next six minutes, they brought the SBU lead down to nine, 52-43, with a 12-4 run. SBU made a basket to make it 11 points but an Emily McCord layup with 2:49 left in the game put SBU’s lead back down to nine. The Lady Bearcat defense stiffened in the final 2:49 as they did not allow UMR to make another basket from the floor. The Lady Miners final two points came on two different free throws.

SBU nailed 58% of their shots from the floor in the first half and finished making 42% of their shots. They shot only 23% from three-point land but canned 80% of their free throws. UMR only made 28% of their shots and 59% from the free throw line. UMR did out rebound SBU 39-31.

The Lady Bearcats will travel to Pittsburg, Kansas, on Saturday, February 19, to take on Pittsburg State at 5:30 p.m.

NOTES: Amber Wheeler has now made 23 straight free throws … Gwyn Smith had her 35th career double-double … It was the second straight game that SBU has shot 90% or better from the free throw line in the first half … Smith now has 855 career rebounds and is now tied for 6th all-time in the MIAA with Rachel Matakas (CMSU, 1993-96).