HAYS, Ks. — This postseason run by Griffon Women's Basketball is something rare.

Missouri Western overcame the odds once again as the No. 7 seed this Saturday, knocking off No. 6 seed Nebraska-Kearney 72-59 at Gross Memorial Coliseum to advance to the Sweet 16. The Lopers swept the Griffons 2-0 in the regular season, and it looked like that may be the case again after a 22-14 deficit for MWSU in the first quarter. Then things took a turn towards Griffon dominance.

The Griffons outscored the Lopers 21-8 in the second and led 35-30 at halftime. Bench points played a big role for MWSU, 14 of which coming from Alyssa Bonilla. She is one of four Griffons who scored in double figures, with Brionna Budgetts' 17 points leading the way.

Next Up

With UNK (24-8, 17-5 MIAA) out of the way, a chance to claim a ticket to the Elite Eight is in Miissouri Western's (23-9, 14-8 MIAA) hands. They take on No. 1 seed Fort Hays State (30-3, 19-3 MIAA) in another conference collision this postseason on Monday at 7 p.m. The No. 4 nationally-ranked Tigers also swept the Griffons this regular season, beating MWSU 78-69 in overtime not too long ago on Feb. 23 in Hays. 

For the Lopers, it proved to be difficult beating a team three times in one season. For Missouri Western, it'll take beating a second-straight squad who already punched their number twice to punch their ticket deeper into the NCAA Tournament.