Box Score | Season Stats

BOLIVAR, Mo. -- LaKendra Smith had a strong performance in her home debut, leading the 'Cats with 19 points while collecting six rebounds, as SBU pulled away from the Missouri Baptist Spartans in the second half for the ten point victory. Freshman Jacqui Zelenka had 18 points in her first game at Meyer Sports Center, while Chasity Prince had 11.

The Spartans came ready to play, and took a quick 4-0 lead, as they hung with SBU throughout most of the first half. Missouri Baptist tried to keep the 'Cats off-balance with a full-court press, but SBU was able to break it often for wide open looks under the basket. Smith had 11 of her 19 points in the first half, mostly coming from the breakdown of the Spartan press.

With a 21-21 tie and six and a half minutes remaining, Prince hit her lone three for the night, taking the pass from Ashleigh Gallio, who had four assists in the game. The Bearcats took a three point edge and held the lead for the rest of the night.

The Spartans did look poised to make a comeback late in the second half, when MBU's Janelle Hensold hit a three to make it a 56-50 SBU lead, but Courtney Heady immediately answered back with a three of her own to regain the nine point advantage, and Missouri Baptist wouldn't come any closer throughout the final minutes. 

Senior Whitney Malone had another fantastic night on the defensive end, collecting seven defensive boards (10 total), along with five steals. Malone has ten steals in the first two games this season, leading the team.

The Bearcats' shooting improved dramatically from their matchup last week against Cincinnati. After shooting 29.4% from the field, SBU went 30-for-67 (44.8%) on their home court. They also hit more free throws (8) than they had trips to the line (5) against their Division I foes last Friday.

With the win, SBU improves to 1-1 in the early portion of the schedule, while Missouri Baptist suffers its first loss and falls to 3-1. The Bearcats are back in action this Saturday, November 20, when they travel down the road to take on the Drury Panthers, in Springfield at 2 p.m.