Box Score | Season Stats

BOLIVAR, Mo. -- After jumping out to a 21-2 lead, the SBU Bearcats took their third straight victory over the Eagles of Central Methodist, 78-57. Freshman Jacqui Zelenka led the 'Cats with a career-high 20 points, shooting a perfect 8-for-8 from the field, and 4-from-4 from the free throw line.

The Bearcats scored 15 straight midway through the first half, going up by 21-2 with just over eight minutes to play until halftime. Senior Ashleigh Gallio took charge of the offense, scoring ten points before intermission, while dealing out a pair of assists. The Millicent, Australia native finished the night with 13 points and four assists, tying the season-high

Zelenka's perfect night is the first time a Bearcat has shot 100% for a game since Courtney Creed pulled off the feat in 2006, going 6-for-6, also against Central Methodist. "Jacqui showed up tonight, and gave us a presence," said head coach J.C. Carter after the game.

Whitney Malone had another solid performance; although her streak of five steals in a game ended, she did have four, to go along with three rebounds and eight ponts. Sophomore Kourtni Williams also had four steals, two more than she had all season before tonight.

While Central Methodist never led in the game, they did out-rebound the Bearcats, 35-24, and picked up nine points off second chances. "We've got to be more disciplined on the boards. Once you get in the conference, you're not going to have help," commented Carter.

With the win, SBU wraps up their non-conference schedule with a 3-1 record; the lone loss coming on the road at Division I Cincinnati, a game where SBU outscored their opponents in the second half. The Bearcats will take the rest of the week off for Thanksgiving, before hosting the Central Missouri Jennies for the MIAA opener on Thursday, November 30th, at 5:30 p.m.