ST. JOSEPH, Mo. — Missouri Western Women's Basketball put the hammer down on Wednesday, beating Newman by 48 at the MWSU Fieldhouse, 97-49, to keep their conference championship hopes alive.

The Griffons (24-5, 18-3 MIAA) were led by true freshman Cleao Murray's career-high 20 points on 7-of-11 shooting from the field and 6-of-9 shooting from beyond the arc. Six total Griffons scored in double-digits, and 12 total Griffons scored overall. 

Lauryn Dubbert led the Jets (9-17, 6-15 MIAA) with 12 points. McKenna Anderson added 10 points in just nine minutes off the bench. No other Newman player scored more than six points. 

The first quarter set the tone for the Griffons' scoring attack. Johnni Gonzalez scored the first six points for Missouri Western with a trey and a converted and-one bucket, as the Griffons offense ignited for six 3-pointers in the first quarter. The highlight of the quarter was an 11-0 run the Griffs went on from the 5:53 mark to the 3:05 mark. The quarter ended with Missouri Western up, 30-16.

Quarter number two was more of the same, as the Griffon offense was good, but the defense was even better, holding Newman to just seven points in the quarter. Missouri Western started the quarter on a 9-0 run to extend its lead to 39-16. The offense was lights out, shooting 64.3% from the field, and the Griffs finished the half up, 55-23.

Newman couldn't find an answer after halftime for the MWSU offense, and the Griffons kept pushing the lead. Missouri Western doubled Newman up in the quarter, 22-11, and had the lead going into the fourth, 77-34.

The Griffons finished out the game scoring 20-plus points in every quarter, as the Griffons won the fourth quarter, 20-15. The quarter sealed the Griffons' largest win of the season, as MWSU went on to win, 97-49.

NOTABLES

• All 14 active players played for the Griffons.
• The Griffons made a jaw-dropping 13-of-27 shots from three and shot 54.3 percent from the floor. Their 13 3-pointers is a new season-high for the team.
• Missouri Western only turned the ball over eight times, while forcing the Jets into 23 turnovers. 
• This is the second time the Griffons have won at least six-straight games this season.
• Murray only played 16 minutes, making a career-high six 3-pointers.

UP NEXT
The Griffons host Pittsburg State (20-6, 15-5 MIAA) on Saturday in a massive regional matchup. The Griffons are ranked seventh in the regional rankings, and the Gorillas are eighth. Pitt State will take on Emporia State on Thursday before playing the Griffons.