ST. JOSEPH – The 2016-17 Griffon women's basketball season is off to a very similar start as the 2015-16 season after an 85-51 win over Upper Iowa to close out the Drury Inn Tip-Off Tournament on Saturday night.
 
It's the second straight year Missouri Western has started with wins over Southwest Minnesota State and Upper Iowa. Last season, the Griffons outscored the same two opponents 182-141 in the Southwest Minnesota State Classic. This season in the team's own event, the Griffons outscored the same two opponents 163-107.
 
Much like last year's MIAA championship team, this squad used a strong third quarter to spread the gap Saturday against Upper Iowa. The Griffons took a 38-27 lead to halftime on 40 percent shooting from the field, but were 59 percent in the second half, using a 21-11 third quarter to blow open a big lead. On the night, Missouri Western dropped 13 three-point shots on 30 attempts. The team also had 27 assists on 31 made field goals while turning Upper Iowa over 26 times.
 
Dwanisha Tate was 4-7 from behind the arch and 5-10 from the field for a team-high 16 points. She was one of five Griffons in double-figures. Erin Anderson added 11 points; Sefulu Faavae, Julia Torres and Trudy Peterson each had 10 points. Torres pulled down a team-high nine rebounds and had five steals. Chelsea Dewey had nine of the assists and added eight points.
 
The Griffons travel to Minnesota State for 6 p.m. tip-off on Nov. 15.