Edmond, OK. - The Missouri Western women's basketball team built a big lead and survived a late Central Oklahoma surge to survive for a 93-88 road win on Saturday. 

The game also marked Head Coach Candi Whitaker's return to the sideline after missing Thursday's win at Newman due to Covid-19 protocols.

Six Griffons scored in double figures, led by Corbyn Cunningham's 16 points and 8 rebounds.  Brionna Budgetts added 15 points, Jaelyn Haggard had 14, with Alyssa Bonilla, Jordan Cunningham and Connie Clarke adding 12, 11 and 10 respectively. 

UCO was led by Kelsey Johnson's 38 points (16-23 FG) and 9 rebounds, with Brooke Rayner and Aliyah Llanusa adding 18 points apiece. 

The Griffons (14-3, 8-3 MIAA) shot 47% (33-7) from the field and nailed 7 of their 8 three-pointers in the first half to build a 49-36 lead at halftime.  A Brionna Budgetts lay-up at the 7:08 mark of the 3rd quarter gave MWSU a 19-point lead (58-39) and seemed to put the game out of reach.

Then the Bronchos answered with a furious charge.  UCO answered with a 26-10 run to pull to within 4 points at the 9:33 mark of the 4th quarter.  The game's final nine minutes Brough an offensive flurry from both teams, with the Bronchos cutting the Griffon lead to 2 at 81-79 with 1:28 remaining. 

A Jordan Cunningham three-pointer, followed by a Haggard lay-up with under a minute to play gave the Griffs breathing room. A Clarke steal and lay-up put it out of reach.  Jordan Cunningham and Bonilla combined to go 5-6 from the free throw line in the game's final 31 seconds to ice the victory.

Western survived despite committing 20 turnovers, but out-rebounded the Bronchos 48-42.  

MWSU returns to action on Wednesday, January 26th, when they travel to Central Missouri.  The Griffons defeated the Jennies 68-67 in overtime on December 11th in St. Joseph.