Box score | Season stats

BOLIVAR, Mo. -- The SBU Bearcats fell to the ninth-ranked Emporia State Lady Hornets 76-57. The Bearcats (3-9, 1-4 MIAA) led at halftime 29-26 but Emporia (12-1, 5-1) used a 50-28 second half to pull away for the victory.

Rachel Graves led the Bearcats with 14 points, while Chasity Prince and Ashleigh Gallio added 13 and 12 points respectively. Graves led with five assists while three players (Jasmine Sanford, Mia Gilreath and Ashleigh Gallio).

"We played well in the first half, but came out flat in the second half," said SBU head J.C. Carter. "They did a good job of pounding the post in second half and that was their game plan. Our defense was great in the first but flat in the second half. We have to learn how to handle success going into a second half. We have to adjust and come out even stronger."

The largest lead by either team in the first half was five points - Emporia (12-1, 5-1 MIAA) led early 5-0 while SBU led midway through the first half. The teams were close through the first minutes of the second stanza before ESU would gradually extend their lead with their biggest margin of 19 coming at the game's end.

Alli Volkens was the leading scorer for the Lady Hornets with 20 points, one of five ESU players in double figures.

SBU continues a tough stretch of four games in eight days, with the #8 Washburn Lady Blues visiting Bolivar on Tuesday night. Game time is 5:30 p.m.