JOPLIN, Mo. — Missouri Western fell to No. 5/2 Missouri Southern, 75-69, on Saturday in a hotly-contested matchup at the Leggett and Platt Athletic Center

The Griffons (6-3, 1-1 MIAA) were led by Brionna Budgetts, who scored 19 points to lead all scorers. Budgetts also added a season /-high eight rebounds. Connie Clarke scored her fifth double-double, putting up 13 points and 16 rebounds, good for a tie for fourth all-time for most boards in a Griffon game. 

The Lions (9-0, 2-0 MIAA) took a 15-13 lead into the first-quarter break after the Griffons took an early six-point lead. Six different Griffons scored in the quarter.

Missouri Western battled back in the second quarter, led by freshman Kassandra Caron, who scored six points to help cut into the Lions lead. The Griffons trailed at the half, 35-34.

Budgetts took over in third quarter, scoring eight of the Griffons' 13 points. Defense was the key in the quarter, as the Griffons won the quarter, 13-10, giving them a two-point lead going into the fourth.

Led by Lacy Stokes, Missouri Southern took over the game in the fourth quarter. The Griffons had a lead with under three minutes to go, but MSSU pulled ahead and won, 75-69. 

NOTABLES

• This is the second time Clarke has snagged six rebounds.
• Caron only played six minutes but made a huge impact off the bench with two 3-point makes.
• Mary Fultz added 10 points and seven rebounds. 
• This game ends MWSU's four-game winning streak.

UP NEXT
The Griffons host Nebraska-Kearney (9-1, 2-0 MIAA) on Thursday at the MWSU Fieldhouse to kick off home conference play. The Lopers took down Northeastern State on Thursday, 79-46.