ST. JOSEPH, Mo. — Griffon Women's Basketball took down Emporia State on Saturday night at the MWSU Fieldhouse, 76-60, eclipsing the 20-win mark in the process for the second season in a row.

The Griffons (20-5, 14-3 MIAA) were led by Brionna Budgetts' 24 points, while Connie Clarke posted yet another double-double, scoring 13 points and grabbing 10 rebounds. Mary Fultz scored 13 points and grabbed nine rebounds off the bench. 

Emporia State (12-11, 7-10 MIAA) was led by Tre'Zure Jobe's 26 points and seven rebounds. Victoria Price added 16 points and seven rebounds, and Ehlaina Hartman chipped in 10 points. 

The first quarter was all Griffons. After swapping two buckets apiece, the Griffons jumped out to a big lead, pushing it to double-digits at the 36-second mark of the quarter on a pair of Budgetts free throws. Budgetts scored nine points int the first quarter, including a layup at the horn after a fantastic find by Alyssa Bonilla. 

Missouri Western extended its lead in the second quarter, pushing it as high as 26 points after a Clarke and-one bucket made the score 45-19. Emporia scored the last five points of the quarter to cut the lead to 21 at halftime, and the Griffons led at the break, 45-24. 

The Hornets stormed back in the game in the third quarter, led by a three-headed attack of Jobe, Hartman and Price. Emporia was able to cut the lead down to 11 with 50 seconds to go in the quarter, but two quick layups from Budgetts and Jordan Cunningham saw the Griffons go into the final quarter up 15, 56-41. 

The Griffons were in cruise control in the fourth quarter, never letting Emporia get closer than 12 points. They pushed the lead back over 20 at one point, as Fultz converted another and-one layup to make the score 72-51. Both teams traded baskets in the closing minutes of the game, and the Griffons went on to win, 76-60. 

NOTABLES

• This was Clarke's 10th double-double of the season and the 19th of her career.
• The Griffons held the Hornets to just 34.3% from the floor and 19.2% from deep. In contrast, the Griffons shot 42.3% from the floor and 20% from beyond the arc. 
• Budgetts and Head Coach Candi Whitaker were honored their individual honors of 1,000-career points and 200-career wins, respectively. 
• The Griffs dished 19 assists compared to just five by ESU.

UP NEXT
The Griffons hit the road for the final two road games of the season, as they head to Tahlequah, Oklahoma, to take on Northeastern State (6-14, 1-13 MIAA) next Thursday at 5:30 p.m. The RiverHawks picked up a much-needed win on Saturday night after taking down Rogers State, 72-48, in Claremore.