SIOUX FALLS, S.D. — A wire-to-wire lead saw Missouri Western take down the Cougars of Sioux Falls on Friday night in the Courtyard Sioux Falls Tip-Off Classic, 67-49.
The Griffons (2-1) jumped out to a jaw-dropping 19-0 lead in the first quarter, with seven Griffons contributing to the run. Sioux Falls got on the board at the 3:16 mark to make the score 19-2, and Missouri Western had a 25-9 lead at the end of the first quarter.
Sioux Falls would not go away easily, however. The Cougars (0-1) came clawing back into the game in the second quarter, cutting the Griffon lead to just 12 points at the halftime interval.
The Cougar comeback continued in the third quarter, as a 12-2 run saw Sioux Falls cut the lead to just two points at 43-41. The Griffons ended the quarter up eight, 52-44.
The Griffons ratcheted up the defense in the fourth quarter, and when it mattered most, they took care of business. Sioux Falls was only able to manage five points in the fourth quarter, and Missouri Western closed the game out 67-49.
CLARKE CONTINUES TO RE-WRITE THE RECORD BOOKS
Connie Clarke found herself in the Griffon record books once again, as her 16 rebounds places her in a tie for fourth place for a single game. Clarke also added 20 points to lead Missouri Western in scoring. Last time out, Clarke broke into the top-ten list for most points in a game by a Griffon, as she put up 34 to lead the Griffons past No. 23 Lubbock Christian.
NOTABLES
- Clarke has scored in double digits for the third-straight game, and her 20-16 performance marks her eighth double-double as a Griffon.
- Camille Evans pulled down nine rebounds.
- Jordan Cunningham finished with 10 points.
- Freshman Cleao Murray shot 3-of-8 from three, finishing with nine points.
- The Griffons held Sioux Falls to just 33.3% shooting total, and 23.5% from three
UP NEXT
The Griffons take on the Augustana Vikings (1-0) tomorrow at 1:30 at the Stewart Center in Sioux Falls. The Vikings upset the No. 3 Fort Hays State Tigers on Friday, 62-59.
