Box Score | Season Stats

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. -- The SBU Bearcats jumped out to an early lead against the #16 Drury Lady Panthers, and survived a couple of runs by the home team to hang on for the 57-49 win. The victory marks the first-ever win for SBU over Drury, although the two sides have met just twice before, dating back to 2001.

Senior guard Ashleigh Gallio started out strong for the Bearcats, hitting a pair of threes and finishing the first half with eight points. Gallio ended up with 10 points to end the game, the lone Bearcat in double-figures.

Drury made a run in the second half, tying the game at 37-37 with Casey Carroll hitting a three-pointer to tie the game. The Lady Panthers took as much as a four point lead with just over 11 minutes remaining, but then SBU rallied for a 14-2 run to re-take an eight point advantage, led by LaKendra Smith, who scored six points in the run. Smith ended with seven points and eight boards, a career best in rebounding.

While scoring just six points on the day, Whitney Malone battled through foul trouble and ended up as one of the key factors in SBU's late run to seal the victory. Malone picked up her fourth foul with 13 minutes remaining in the second half, when SBU was up 37-34. Drury made a run from that point, and while the Bearcats were able to climb back into a narrow four point lead, The door was closed at the 4:52 mark when Malone re-entered, and Drury put up just two points from that point forward.

Malone also had five steals in the game, marking the third straight matchup in which she has grabbed five steals.

Kourtni Williams led the SBU bench players with nine points, along with three rebounds and an assist.

With the win, SBU improves to 2-1 on the year, while Drury slips to a surprising 1-2. The Bearcats are back in action Tuesday night, November 23, as they host NAIA Central Methodist. Tip-off is scheduled for 6:30 p.m.