ST. JOSEPH, Mo. —  Winning their third straight game, Griffon Women's Basketball scored 40 points off of turnovers on the way to a 73-49 victory over the Central Oklahoma Bronchos at home Saturday inside the MWSU Fieldhouse.

The Griffons (13-4, 8-3 MIAA) had four players score in double figures, led by Brionna Budgetts, who had 21 points and three steals. Connie Clarke added 17 points, seven rebounds, eight assists, a career-high seven steals and two blocks. Mary Fultz chipped in as well with a season-high 12 points.

The Missouri Western offense was strong from beyond the arc, making 11 threes on 32 attempts. Budgetts hit a season-high five treys for the Griffons in the contest.

The Western defense caused its share of mistakes in Saturday's game, forcing 30 Central Oklahoma (4-14, 3-9 MIAA) turnovers. Those takeaways turned into 40 points on the other end of the floor. Clarke's seven steals led the way individually for the Griffons.

HOW IT HAPPENED
Western started out the scoring by going on an 8-0 run, culminating in a three from Fultz, to take an early lead with 5:58 left in the first quarter. The Griffons then lost some of that lead, but still entered the quarter break with a 15-8 advantage. The Griffs relied on their 3-point shooting in the period, knocking down three shots to account for nine of their 15 points.

The Griffons built that first-quarter lead to 25-13 before going on a 7-0 run starting at the 4:17 mark in the second period, highlighted by a three from Johnni Gonzalez, to increase its lead to 32-13. The Griffons proceeded to tack on four points to that lead and enjoyed a 37-14 advantage heading into halftime. Western dominated in the paint, scoring 12 of its 22 points close to the basket.

Western wasted no time building on its lead, going on an 8-0 run, punctuated by a basket from Fultz, to expand its lead further to 45-14 with 7:24 to go in the third. The Griffons held onto that lead for the rest of the frame and entered the fourth quarter with a 56-25 edge. Western played well near the basket, scoring 12 of its 19 points in the paint.

The Griffons kept their lead intact before going on a 9-0 run, finished off by Budgetts' three, to grow the lead to 73-47 with 1:06 to go in the contest. The Bronchos narrowed the margin somewhat before the game was over, but the Griffons still cruised the rest of the way for the 73-49 win. Western fired away from deep in the quarter, knocking down five shots to account for 15 of its 17 points.

GAME NOTES

• Western found success from beyond the arc, knocking down 11 treys in the game.
• The Griffons held the Bronchos to only 34% shooting from the field.
• MWSU never trailed after taking a 15-8 first-quarter lead.
• The Griffons shared the ball well, recording an assist on 78% of made baskets.
• Western turned 30 turnovers into 40 points on the offensive end.
• The Griffons cleaned up on the offensive glass, collecting 15 offensive boards in the game.
• Budgetts led the Griffons with a game-high 21 points.
• Western got a game-high seven rebounds from Clarke.
• MWSU is in a three-team tie for second in the MIAA.

UP NEXT
The Griffons head east to take on Lincoln (6-11, 2-9 MIAA) this Wednesday at Jason Gym in Jefferson City, Missouri. The Blue Tigers have lost two straight, falling to Northeastern State 67-54 on Saturday in Tahlequah, Oklahoma.

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