Box Score

Bolivar, Mo. - The Southwest Baptist University women's basketball team opened up the second half of MIAA play with a tough match-up against Central Missouri, dropping a heartbreaking 61-60 loss to the Jennies.

Central Missouri played well in the first half, taking a 37-26 lead into halftime. However the Bearcats did go away. After going down 16 points early in the second half, the Bearcats rode solid defense to erase the deficit and go up 59-52. The Bearcats couldn't hold on as Central Missouri went on to a 61-60 victory.

LaKendra Smith once again played a solid game in the post, scoring a game high 21 points while grabbing 9 rebounds in the loss. Jacqui Zelenka also scored in double-digits for the Bearcats scoring 10, while Ashlee Pitts added 8. As a team, the Bearcats out-rebounded the Jennies 39-36.

The Bearcats shot 39.6% from the floor, 36.8% from beyond the arc, and 68.8% from the free throw line.

"I'm really proud of our kids and I thought we did a great job," head coach Todd Voss stated. "Kendra [Smith] had a warrior's heart out there tonight, and the game she gave us was outstanding. If you can be a team that consistently plays off of your defensive then you have a change to be really consistent and balanced over the course of a 40-minute game.  I thought that is what we did in the second half with our defensive and competitive sprit showed itself."

The Bearcats will be back in action on Wednesday, January 25 when they travel to Jefferson City, Missouri for a match-up with the Lady Tigers of Lincoln. Tip-off is set for 5:30 p.m.