ST. JOSEPH, Mo. -- Missouri Western was absolutely dominant in the paint on Thursday night, outscoring Rogers State 54-24 inside en route to an 83-58 win.
Connie Clarke recorded her third double-double of the year with 21 points and 12 rebounds, both game highs.
Jordan Cunningham added 16 points on the night, one of three other Missouri Western players in double figures as the Griffons upped their perfect start to 5-0.
The first few minutes were a see-saw as Missouri Western surged out to a 5-0 lead, with Rogers State answering back to take an 8-7 lead on a driving layup by Bailey Kliewer. Both teams hit a cold stretch over the next minute and a half, before a
Trinity Knapp layup with 5:31 left in the first sparked a 15-6 Griffon run. After an utterly forgettable second quarter that saw each team hit just three field goals, Missouri Western took a 34-23 lead into the intermission.
Missouri Western exploded out of the halftime locker room, shooting 61.1 percent (11-18) in the third quarter to extend its margin to 18 points. Clarke was dominant for the Griffons in the third, scoring 11 of MWSU's 26 points in the period of 5-of 6 shooting, including a three-pointer with 3:04 to go off an assist from
Jaelyn Haggard.
Head coach
Candi Whitaker was able to clear the bench in the fourth quarter as Missouri Western extended to a 32-point lead with 2:34 left to play. Rogers State was able to narrow the gap slightly, but
Kameron Freemyer had the last points of the night, knocking down a jumper in the lane after an
Abby Bala steal.
Missouri Western finished the night with a 47-27 edge on the glass, including a 21-5 offensive rebounding margin, and handed out 25 assists against just nine turnovers. The Griffons also outshot the Hillcats 44.7 percent (34-76) to 43.4 percent (23-53) from the floor and held a slight advantage (64.3%-62.5%) from the free throw line.
Corbyn Cunningham added 12 points and Haggard contributed 11, with Kliewer (16), Katrina Christian (11) and Kloe Bowin (10) finishing in double figures for Rogers State.
The Griffons look to continue their unbeaten run on Saturday, hosting Northeastern State in a 1:30 p.m. tipoff.
