ST. JOSEPH, Mo. — Griffon Women's Basketball benefited from a 26-point performance from the bench on the way to an 84-71 win over the Concordia-Saint Paul Golden Bears on Saturday night at Civic Arena.
The Griffons (2-0) had four players score in double figures, led by Connie Clarke, who had 25 points, nine rebounds and three steals. Alyssa Bonilla added a career-high 17 points, six assists and two steals, and Brionna Budgetts helped out with 14 points.
After falling behind 15-6, Missouri Western State went on a 6-0 run with 3:48 left in the first quarter, culminating in a bucket from Bonilla, to narrow its deficit to 15-12. The Griffons' deficit remained the same as they entered the second quarter trailing 23-20.
Concordia (1-1) kept adding to that lead, building a 27-23 advantage before Missouri Western went on a 6-0 run, highlighted by a bucket from Budgetts, to take a 29-27 lead. The Griffons proceeded to tack on four points to that lead and enjoyed a 38-32 advantage heading into halftime. Missouri Western ran the fast break well, scoring five fast break points.
Missouri Western continued to preserve its halftime lead before going on a 5-0 run to expand its lead further to 52-41 with 4:41 to go in the third. Before the conclusion of the third period, the Golden Bears had cut into that lead somewhat, but the Griffons still entered the fourth quarter with a 56-52 edge. Missouri Western played well near the basket, scoring 10 of its 18 points in the paint.
The Griffons kept their lead intact before going on a 7-0 run to grow the lead to 77-66 with 2:27 to go in the contest. The Griffons kept expanding the margin and coasted the rest of the way for the 84-71 win. Missouri Western took advantage of its opportunities in the post, scoring 14 of its 28 points in the paint.
Missouri Western out-rebounded Concordia 33-27 in Saturday's game, led by Clarke's nine boards.
The Griffons forced 15 Concordia turnovers. Western turned those takeaways into 13 points on the other end of the floor. Clarke's three steals led the way for Missouri Western.
GAME NOTES
- LaJahda Boyland chipped in with 10 points in 10 minutes.
- Missouri Western never trailed in the second half on its way to victory.
- The Missouri Western defense forced 15 turnovers.
- Missouri Western is 2-0 for the first time since 2021.
- This is Head Coach Candi Whitaker's 77th win as a Griffon, passing MWSU Hall of Fame member Jeff Mittie for fifth in program history.
UP NEXT
Missouri Western rests this week before taking on the University of Saint Mary (2-2) on Monday, Nov. 20, at 5:30 p.m. inside the MWSU Fieldhouse. The Spires of the NAIA have lost their last two games, falling 78-68 to Northwestern this past Saturday.
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