Hart 2023 ESU
AJ Robbins
Mackenzie Hart shot 3-of-5 from deep in Saturday's win at ESU.
61
Winner Missouri Western MW 19-4,14-3 Mid-America Intercollegiate
51
Emporia St. ESU 10-13,7-10 Mid-America Intercollegiate
Winner
Missouri Western MW
19-4,14-3 Mid-America Intercollegiate
61
Final
51
Emporia St. ESU
10-13,7-10 Mid-America Intercollegiate
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 3 4 F
Missouri Western MW 10 21 10 20 61
Emporia St. ESU 8 21 12 10 51

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

Hart's dagger shot leads Griffon WBB past Emporia State 61-51

EMPORIA, Kan. — The Griffons got nine on it.

Mackenzie Hart nailed a dagger jumper with 1:09 left in the fourth quarter to put Griffon Women's Basketball up by eight, leading Missouri Western to 61-51 victory against the Emporia State Hornets. Western's win on on the road Saturday inside White Auditorium marks its ninth straight, a new season high.

The Griffons (19-4, 14-3 MIAA) had four players score in double figures, led by Connie Clarke, who had 16 points and three steals. Brionna Budgetts added 14 points and four assists, and Hart helped out with 11 points from the bench.

The Western offense was very productive from downtown, knocking down eight threes on 24 attempts. Budgetts was the most prolific shooter for the Griffons, draining four treys in the contest.

The Griffon defense held Emporia (10-13, 7-10 MIAA) to only 34% shooting from the field, including 26.1% from beyond the arc. The Hornets did not have much luck cleaning up their misses on the offensive glass either, as they finished with eight offensive rebounds and managed eight second chance-points while MWSU cleared 26 defensive rebounds.

HOW IT HAPPENED
Western started out the scoring by going on a 6-0 run to take an early lead with 7:55 left in the first quarter. The Griffons then lost some of that lead, but still entered the quarter break with a 10-8 advantage. Western did most of its first-quarter damage in the paint, scoring six of its 10 points close to the basket.

The Griffons kept their first -quarter lead intact before going on a 6-0 run starting at the 9:23 mark in the second period, highlighted by a three from Hart, to increase its lead to 16-8. The Hornets cut into that lead, but the Griffons still enjoyed a 31-29 advantage heading into halftime. Western was strong from deep in the period, knocking down four 3-point shots to account for 12 of its 21 points.

Emporia then took a 38-36 lead following intermission before MWSU went on a 5-0 run, punctuated by a basket from LaJahda Boyland, to grab a 41-38 lead with 1:02 to go in the third. The Hornets then rallied to tie it at 41-41 heading into the fourth quarter. Western played well near the basket, scoring six of its 10 points in the paint.

Western then broke the tie in the game's final frame, outscoring Emporia's 20-10 and taking control for good on a Clarke layup with 07:50 left to seize victory by the 61-51 final score. Western took advantage of its opportunities in the post, scoring 12 of its 20 points in the paint.

GAME NOTES

  • Now with the longest-active winning streak in the conference, MWSU is now tied for first place in the MIAA.
  • Western has also won four straight on the road and are 7-2 when away from home.
  • The Griffons outscored Emporia 20-10 in the fourth quarter to break a 41-41 third-quarter tie.
  • Western lit it up from 3-point land, knocking down eight treys in the game.
  • The Griffons held the Hornets to only 34% shooting from the field.
  • The Western bench came alive by adding 19 points to its scoring output.
  • Clarke led the Griffons with a game-high 16 points.
  • Western got a team-high eight rebounds from Boyland.
UP NEXT
The Griffons will return home next Thursday to take on Northeastern State (12-10, 8-8 MIAA) at 5:30 p.m. at the MWSU Fieldhouse. The RiverHawks have won three in a row and are coming off a 61-47 home win over Rogers State. 
 
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