ST. JOSEPH, Mo. — Scoring the most points against an MIAA opponent in program history, Griffon Women's Basketball shot 53.8% from 3-point range on the way to a 108-45 victory against the Newman Jets on Thursday night inside the MWUS Fieldhouse.
The Griffons (12-4, 7-3 MIAA) had five players score in double figures, led by Kassandra Caron, who had 16 points and seven rebounds off the bench. Brionna Budgetts tacked on a season-high 16 points, and Jayme Jackson chipped in as well with 14 points.
Missouri Western out-rebounded Newman 54-23 in Thursday's game, paced by Caron's seven boards. The Griffons also collected 17 offensive rebounds and scored 17 second-chance points.
The Western defense held Newman shooters to just 30.2% from the field, including 25.9% from 3-point land. The Jets did not get many second opportunities on the offensive end, as they grabbed only six offensive rebounds and scored four second-chance points, while MWSU pulled down 37 defensive rebounds.
HOW IT HAPPENED
After jumping out to a 4-2 advantage, MWSU went on a 14-0 run with 7:26 left in the first quarter, culminating in a three from Tiani Ellison, to increase its lead to 18-2. The Griffons then added eight points to that lead by the end of the period and entered the quarter-break with a 28-4 advantage. Western capitalized on five Newman turnovers in the period, turning them into nine points on the other end of the floor.
Western kept its first-quarter lead intact before going on a 22-0 run starting at the 7:06 mark in the second period to increase its lead to 52-11. The Griffons kept that lead for the remainder of the period and enjoyed a 58-17 advantage heading into halftime. Western was strong from deep in the period, knocking down seven 3-point shots to account for 21 of its 30 points.
The Griffons wasted no time building on its lead, going on a 13-0 run, punctuated by a basket from Connie Clarke, to expand its lead further to 71-17 with 6:16 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 an 82-27 edge. Western played well near the basket, scoring 14 of its 24 points in the paint.
The Griffons started tacking on points in the fourth almost immediately, going on a 6-0 run to grow the lead to 88-27 with 7:57 to go in the contest. Western kept expanding the margin and coasted the rest of the way for the 108-45 win. Western took advantage of its opportunities in the post, scoring 18 of its 26 points in the paint.
GAME NOTES
- The Griffons made over half of their attempts from 3-point range, knocking down 14 of 26 shots.
- Western never trailed after taking a 28-4 first-quarter lead.
- The Griffons recorded 26 total assists in the game.
- The Western bench made an impact by scoring 53 points.
- Five Griffon players scored 10 or more points.
- Caron and Tiani Ellison came off the bench to score 16 and 10 points, respectively.
- The Griffons turned 22 turnovers into 35 points on the offensive end.
- Western had a 54-23 edge on the boards in the win.
- The Griffons were active in affecting shots on the defensive end, recording six blocks as a team. Mary Fultz led the way with two.
- Western turned the ball over 13 times while dishing out 26 assists.
- The Griffs cleaned up on the offensive glass, collecting 17 offensive boards in the game.
- Western got a game-high seven rebounds from both Caron and Clarke.
UP NEXT
The Griffons take on a suddenly surging Central Oklahoma (4-13, 3-8 MIAA) squad this Saturday at 1:30 p.m. inside the MWSU Fieldhouse in St. Joseph. The Bronchos bested Northwest Missouri State 71-57 on Thursday night in Maryville, Missouri.
