ST. JOSEPH, Mo. — Missouri Western Women's Basketball took care of business on Thursday night to extend its winning streak to nine, beating Lincoln inside the MWSU Fieldhouse, 65-54. 

The Griffons (16-4, 10-2 MIAA) were led by Brionna Budgetts' 18 points and four 3-pointers. Connie Clarke added 13 and six rebounds. while Johnni Gonzalez scored 11 points and took away three steals. The Griffons nailed nine 3-pointers as a team, shooting an impressive 47.4% from beyond the arc. 

Lincoln (5-12, 3-8 MIAA) was led by AJ Bradley's 13 points and three assists. Kelsey Mitchell added nine points and five rebounds off the bench for the Blue Tigers. 

The first quarter was defined by good shooting. The Griffons shot 4-of-7 from three and 10-of-15 overall from the field in the quarter, with Budgetts leading the way, scoring 10 points. The lead was up to 12 before an Ashlyn Alloway 3-pointer for Lincoln brought the score to 24-15 to close the period.

The Griffons didn't shoot as much in the second quarter, but they were deadly from outside once again. Gonzalez nailed two triples, and freshman Cleao Murray added a three of her own to help extend the Griffon lead. The two teams went into the halftime break with the Griffons leading, 39-25. 

Things got interesting in the third quarter. The Griffons came out of halftime cold, only shooting 28.6% from the floor in the quarter and going 0-4 from three. What the Griffons lacked in shooting this quarter however, they made up in defense. The Griffs held Lincoln to just three total field goals and three free throws in the third, finding a way to extend the lead once again. The Griffons led the Blue Tigers, 52-34, going into the fourth quarter.

Lincoln wouldn't go away in the fourth, cutting into the Griffon lead and keeping Head Coach Candi Whitaker's team on their toes. The Blue Tigers exploded for 20 points in the quarter, getting within 10 points before a Budgetts 3-pointer quelled the Lincoln run. The Griffons were able to run out the clock to take home the 65-54 win.

NOTABLES

• The Griffons now have tied last season's 0-0 winning streak.
• Missouri Western has eclipsed 10 wins in conference for the second year in a row with the win. 
• Budgetts has surpassed 50 3-pointers made for the season. 
• The Griffons maintain their impressive home record against Lincoln, having never lost to the Blue Tigers at MWSU Fieldhouse.
• Missouri Western remains in third place in the MIAA  with the win.

UP NEXT
The Griffons will host the toughest game of the season to this point, with No. 5/2 Central Missouri in town for a massive showdown at MWSU Fieldhouse. The Jennies (16-0, 12-0 MIAA) escaped Maryville, Missouri, with a one-point win on Thursday night, taking down Northwest Missouri State, 68-67. A win for the Jennies would give them the record for their longest-ever winning streak, while a win for the Griffons would give them their longest winning streak since winning 18 in a row in 2015-16. Tipoff is at 1:30 p.m. on Saturday at the MWSU Fieldhouse.