Box Score

Joplin, Mo. - The SBU women's basketball team picked up their first MIAA victory on the season with a 63-56 victory over Missouri Southern on Monday night. The victory snaps an 11 game losing streak at Joplin dating back to 2000.

The Bearcats jumped out to an early 2-0 lead off of a Kayla Hruby basket, but Missouri Southern quickly took a 4 point lead of their own early in the first half. However, the Bearcats would go on a couple of runs to put SBU up by as many as 13 in the first half. SBU would go into halftime with a 32-21 lead. Missouri Southern would fight back and pull within two, but the Bearcats were able to hit key shots and free throws down the stretch to go onto the 63-56 victory. The Bearcat defense was spectacular throughout the entire game, holding Missouri Southern to only 21 first half points.

The Bearcats focused their offense on posting up, and driving to the lane. Jacqui Zelenka was the leading scorer for the Bearcats, scoring in double digits for her second straight game, giving SBU 14 points and pulling down a team high 8 rebounds. "I'm really pleased with what we are seeing out of Jacqui the last two games," head coach Todd Voss stated. "She did a great job of converting from the free throw line tonight." LaKendra Smith gave SBU a solid 13 points in the paint, while Brittney Dukes added 8 in the victory.

"It was a team effort," Zelenka stated after the game. "I think coming off this win, going into Christmas break we have motiviation to continue to work hard and go into the Emporia game and get a win."

"I think we played really well as a team," Smith stated after the victory. "I think we all gave great effort and this was a good win for us."

As a team, SBU shot 45.7% from the field, 31.3% from beyond the arc, and 61.5% from the free throw line. The Bearcats were able to out-rebound the Lions 34 to 31, while forcing 21 turnovers.

"I'm very proud of our kids," head coach Todd Voss commented on the victory. "They played consistently and found a way to get it done. It's a huge positive, especially heading into Christmas break."

The Bearcats will be off for the next week and a half before returning home to host the Hornets of Emporia State on Saturday, December 31. Tip-off is set for 1:30 p.m. from Bolivar.