ST. JOSEPH, Mo. – Griffon Women's Basketball (7-14, 3-9 MIAA) returned to the Looney Complex on Thursday after a three-game road trip and defended its home court with a huge conference win, defeating Rogers State (9-13, 6-7 MIAA) 67–52.
Rogers State and MWSU traded baskets throughout the opening period, with the score tied at 11–11 at the 3:02 mark. The Griffons closed the quarter on an 8–0 run, fueled by a pair of three-pointers from
Mia Morel and a layup by
LaNicia Parker, to take a 19–11 lead after one.
In the second quarter, the Hillcats responded by outscoring the Griffons 14–7. MWSU struggled from the field, shooting 16.7 percent in the period, as the lead was trimmed to one heading into halftime with MWSU on top 26–25.
Rogers State took a 29–28 lead at the 7:47 mark of the third quarter, but the Griffons outscored the Hillcats 13–4 over the remainder of the period. After the low-scoring frame, MWSU held a 41–33 advantage heading into the fourth quarter.
It was all Griffons in the fourth quarter, as MWSU built its largest lead of the game at 22 points, going up 65–43. The Griffons went on to secure a 67–52 win over RSU in a big conference victory.
Morel paced the Griffons with 15 points in 35 minutes, knocking down 6-of-17 shots from the field and 3-of-8 from three-point range. She added six rebounds, three assists, and two steals.
Ana Oliveira Dias followed with 12 points in 35 minutes, shooting 5-of-15 overall and 1-of-2 from beyond the arc. She filled the stat sheet with eight rebounds and a team-high eight assists.
Nakiya Harris contributed 10 points in 21 minutes, connecting on 4-of-7 shots from the floor and 1-of-2 from three-point range, while adding three rebounds, one assist, and one steal.
Sydney Lewis chipped in nine points in 17 minutes, pulling down a game-high 11 rebounds.
MoWest shot 35.5% from the field (27-of-76), connected on 26.1% from three-point range (6-of-23), and finished 63.6% at the free-throw line (7-of-11).
Rogers State finished the game shooting 33.3% from the field (20-of-60), went 25.0% from three-point range (6-of-24), and converted 75.0% at the free-throw line (6-of-8).
Whats Next
The Griffons close out their two-game homestand Saturday, Feb. 7, hosting Central Oklahoma at 1:30 p.m. inside Looney Complex.
