Jeff Weseloh (SBU Sports Information) Bolivar, Mo. – The Southwest Baptist University women’s basketball team put together a complete game victory over Missouri Western on Thursday evening, defeating the Griffons 76-69. With the win SBU improves to 11-4 (3-3 MIAA) on the season.
A slow start to the contest wouldn’t indicate the pace the game would eventually take, as both the Bearcats and Griffons were tied at 3-3 three minutes into the contest. MWSU used a 6-0 run to push their lead to 9-3, and again led 16-9 with 2:54 left in the first quarter. However, the Bearcats used a 7-0 run to close out the quarter, with a three from Megan Rosenbohm followed by an Aliyah Isaac layup and Rosenbohm layup, to tie the game at 16-16 after a quarter of play.
Missouri Western once again came out with a 6-0 run, re-taking the lead at 22-16 with 7:57 left in the first half before the Bearcats responded with a 6-0 run of their own to again tie the game. Kameron Schaaf hit a jumper, followed by back-to-back baskets from Kiana Peterson to tie the game with 6:31 left in the half. The Griffons held a small lead until Alex Botkin connected a layup to tie the game at 32-32 with 2:31 left in the half. Western would again re-take the lead, and hold it until a half court buzzer beat three from
Rosenbohm gave the Bearcats a 40-38 lead at the break.
The Bearcats came out strong to open the second half, and a three from Isaac and a pair of free throws extended the SBU lead to 45-38. The Griffons used a 6-0 run to cut the Bearcat lead back to one (45-44), but the Bearcats responded with a Richardson layup and an Isaac three to push their lead back to six at 50-44 with 6:02 left in the third quarter. The Bearcats would push their lead to as many as 10 before taking a 58-51 lead into the fourth quarter.
SBU continued to keep Missouri Western at an arm’s length away, as the Bearcat lead never dipped below five in the fourth quarter as they finished off the 76-69 victory over Missouri Western.
The Bearcats were led in scoring by Megan Rosenbohm who had 24 points, while Caylee Richardson had a solid game down low with 17 points and 8 rebounds. Aliyah Isaac had a career high 17 points to go along with 4 assists and 3 rebounds. As a team SBU shot 60.5% from the field, 41.7% from beyond the arc, and 70.4% from the line.
SBU will return to action on Saturday, January 14 when they host Northwest Missouri State. Tip-off is set for 1:30 p.m. from the Meyer Sports Center in Bolivar.
