BOX SCORE

WARRENSBURG, Mo. -- SBU opened up the MIAA season with a 69-60 loss to the Jennies of Central Missouri. The Bearcats jumped out to a 10-2 run to start the game, highlighted by a pair of threes from Ashleigh Gallio. The 'Cats were red hot to start, hitting five of their first six shots, and kept Central Missouri off the boards, as the Jennies didn't collect their first rebound until five minutes into the game. SBU took a nine point lead after Rachel Graves hit a three to make the score 15-6.

Central Missouri was able to close the gap to four, with eight straight points from junior center Rebecca Roberts. SBU got into some trouble controlling the ball, and after four straight possessions resulting in turnovers, the Jennies would take the lead. Central pulled ahead by as much as seven, after a three-pointer from Danielle Shows with about seven minutes left. The Bearcats would claw back to within two points after going on an 8-3 run, highlighted by five quick points from freshman Chasity Prince. UCM took control again over the final three minutes to establish a 34-27 lead at halftime. Gallio and Prince were the Bearcat high scorers at halftime, with eight and five points respectively.

SBU traded baskets with the Jennies coming out of halftime, including a pair of layups from Abbey Frazier. Frazier unfortunately picked up a pair of fouls over the same stretch, her third and fourth of the game, and the Bearcats had to sit their starting center for a key stretch during the second half. In that time, Central Missouri went on an 8-0 run that gave them a 15 point lead with about 12 minutes to play. Frazier would re-enter the game and SBU immediately scored five straight to cut the Jennies lead to ten, but that would be as close as the 'Cats would get until a three from Gallio to end the game, as the two sides traded baskets throughout the final minutes.

SBU shot 40.7% from the field, compared to UCM's 46.2%. Each team had an even 14 turnovers, but after dominating the glass early, SBU was out-rebounded 40-25. “Rebounding is the key; we have to box out better, or just put them at the line,” said head coach J.C. Carter after the game. Central Missouri had 16 offensive rebounds, which led to 16 second chance points, yet shot only 61.5% from the free throw line.

Gallio, Jasmine Sanford, and Courtney Heady finished in double figures, with 13, 11, and 10 points respectively. Rebecca Roberts came off the bench to be the Jennies' leading scorer, with 19. Deidra Dace, who averaged 16.8 points a game before tonight, was held to 7 points. “We matched up well, Mia [Gilreath] did a great job keeping Dace in check,” said Carter. “It's about us getting better, and avoiding the scoring lulls. We're getting there, we're getting better. Our girls don't quit, I really like the attitude of our team.”

With the loss, the Bearcats drop to 1-5 on the year, and start the MIAA season 0-1. SBU will travel to the nations capital next week, as they face Division I Georgetown University next Tuesday, December 8. Tipoff is scheduled for 6:00 p.m. Central.