KANSAS CITY, Mo. — A clutch, career-defining night for
Connie Clarke gave her Griffons their first win of the season with a 101-96 overtime win, downing No. 23 Lubbock Christian on Sunday night at Municipal Auditorium.
With 34 points, Clarke sits tied for seventh for most-points scored in a game in program history. Clarke crashed the paint with nine seconds left to tie the game 84-84 thanks to an assist from
Cleao Murray, who scored 15 points off the bench.
Lubbock Christian (0-2) built an 88-84 lead within the first minute of overtime, but a made three-pointer from Murray brought it back within one point. Missouri Western (1-1) led Lubbock Christian 39-33 at overtime. With Missouri Western down by two later,
Mary Fultz gave the Griffons a lead with a bucket and foul to boot, sinking the free throw afterwards. Later tied a 93-93,
Abby Bala's final field goal of the night proved to be the go-ahead bucket, putting Missouri Western ahead for good.
NOTABLES
- This is the fourth win over a ranked team in the Candi Whitaker era for Griffon Women's Basketball.
- The Griffon bench scored 36 points after scoring 21 on Saturday night.
- Five Griffons scored in double-figures: Clarke (34); Murray (15); Brionna Budgetts (12); Trinity Knapp (11); Bala (10).
- Murray's 15 points gives her back-to-back double-digit performances to begin her MWSU career.
- With 12 rebounds, this is Clarke's 10th-career double-double as a Griffon,
- Missouri Western shot 20-for-26 from the free-throw line, going 8-for-10.
NEXT UP
Missouri Western makes the trek up North to kick off the Courtyard Sioux Falls Tip-Off Classic vs. Sioux Falls. This will be the Cougars' season-opener after going 16-12 last season.
