CLAREMORE, OK-   A Camille Evans lay-up with five seconds remaining sealed an unlikely comeback win for the Missouri Western women on Thursday night as the Griffons stunned Rogers State 83-81 in the 2020-21 season opener. MWSU erased an 18-point first half deficit to take down the Hillcats.

The Griffons, who debuted a roster of 10 new faces, were paced by a pair of freshmen making their college debut.  Evans and Mary Fultz led the team in scoring with 18 points a piece.  

Western jumped out to an early 5-0 lead, but Rogers State answered with a 14-0 run to take complete control of the first half.  The Griffons were down 31-13 early in the second quarter.  But a very young squad found its footing and grew up as the game went on. 

Each quarter saw an increase in field goal percentage from the Griffons (26.7%, 40%, 52.4%, and 57.1%) and a decrease in field goal percentage from the Hillcats (58.3%, 43.8%, 40%, and 35.3%).

Next up for the Griffons (1-0, 1-0 MIAA), a trip to Tahlequah Oklahoma on Saturday to face Northeastern State.  Tip time is set for 1:00 pm. 

NOTABLES

• The MIAA is the first conference in NCAA Division I or II to return to basketball play in the COVID-19 Global Health Pandemic.

• Freshman Camille Evans,  MWSU's starting point guard,  led the team in points (18), rebounds (10), and assists (6).

• Mary Fultz also scored 18 points. Fultz led the team in minutes with 31.

• Junior Asia McCoy scored all seven of her points in the final six minutes (FG%: 75)