Tiani Ellison Northwest home
AJ Robbins
The Griffons are now 6-1 at home this season.
47
Northwest Mo. St. NMSU 12-3,6-3 Mid-America Intercollegiate
61
Winner Missouri Western MW 11-4,6-3 Mid-America Intercollegiate
Northwest Mo. St. NMSU
12-3,6-3 Mid-America Intercollegiate
47
Final
61
Missouri Western MW
11-4,6-3 Mid-America Intercollegiate
Winner
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 3 4 F
Northwest Mo. St. NMSU 10 16 11 10 47
Missouri Western MW 20 13 15 13 61

Game Recap: Women's Basketball | | MWSU Media Relations

Ellison's career day helps Griffon WBB beat first-place Northwest

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. — Tiani Ellison, Connie Clarke and Jayme Jackson combined to score 47 of Missouri Western's 61 total points as Griffon WBB beat the Northwest Missouri State Bearcats 61-47 at home Saturday at the MWSU Fieldhouse.

Ellison led the Griffons (11-4, 6-3 MIAA) with a career-high 18 points, six rebounds and another career-high three steals. Clarke added a double-double with 16 points and 10 rebounds, and Jackson chipped in as well with 13 points and two steals.

The Western defense was a problem in Saturday's game, forcing 23 Northwest (12-3, 6-2 MIAA) turnovers while committing 18. Those takeaways turned into 29 points on the other end of the floor. Ellison's three steals led the way individually for the Griffons.

HOW IT HAPPENED
Western started out the scoring by going on a 7-0 run, culminating in a bucket from Brionna Budgetts, to take an early lead with 7:21 left in the first quarter. The Griffons then added three points to that lead by the end of the period and entered the quarter-break with a 20-10 advantage. Western did most of its first-quarter damage in the paint, scoring 18 of its 20 points close to the basket.

The Griffons kept their first-quarter lead intact before going on a 5-0 run starting at the 5:10 mark in the second period, highlighted by a bucket from Clarke, to increase its lead to 29-16. The Bearcats cut into that lead, but the Griffons still enjoyed a 33-26 advantage heading into halftime. The Griffons dominated in the paint, scoring eight of their 13 points close to the basket.

Western continued to preserve its halftime lead before going on a 5-0 run, punctuated by a three from Johnni Gonzalez, to expand its lead further to 40-30 with 3:54 to go in the third. Before the third period was over, the Griffons added one point to that lead and entered the fourth quarter with a 48-37 edge. Western knocked down three 3-pointers in the quarter to score nine of its 15 total points.

The Griffons coasted to the win from there, increasing their margin of victory by outscoring the Bearcats 13-10 in the fourth quarter. Western took advantage of eight Northwest Missouri State turnovers in the quarter, scoring seven points off of those takeaways.

GAME NOTES

  • Connie Clarke notched a double-double for the Griffons with 16 points and a game-high 10 rebounds. It's her second of the season the 24th of her career.
  • The Griffons held the Bearcats to only 27.6% shooting from the field.
  • Western never trailed after taking a 20-10 first-quarter lead.
  • Ellison, Clarke and Jackson combined to account for 77% of the Griffons' points.
  • Western had a great day defensively, holding Northwest Missouri State to 20% from 3-point land on 20 attempts.
  • The MWSU bench came alive by scoring 23 points to its scoring output.
  • The Griffon defense forced 23 turnovers.
  • Northwest was in first place in the MIAA coming into the day and has won five games in a row.
  • The Griffs were active in affecting shots on the defensive end, tallying five blocks as a team.

NEXT UP
The Griffons take on Newman (2-14, 1-9 MIAA) next Thursday for Gold Rush Night at 5:30 p.m. at the MWSU Fieldhouse in St. Joseph. The Jets have lost three in a row, last losing to Northeastern State 68-62 on Saturday in Wichita, Kansas.

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