Box Score

Springfield, Mo. - The Southwest Baptist University women's basketball team played excellent defense against Division I Missouri State on Thursday night, dropping the hard fought exhibition contest 57-68 at JQH Arena.

The Bearcats played intense, aggressive defense against the Lady Bears, especially in the second half, as SBU held Missouri State to 32.3% field goal shooting in the second half. The Bearcats took the early 2-0 lead off of a jumper by Brittney Dukes to take a 2-0 lead over the Lady Bears. Missouri State would take the lead two baskets later, but SBU would stay in the game, keeping Missouri State within 11 points during the first half, going into halftime down 36-26.

In the second half, the Bearcats continued their strong defense. After Missouri State took a 50-32 lead in the second half, SBU started chipping away at the Lady Bears lead. The Bearcats went on a 16-8 run, pulling the game within single digits and eventually got the lead down to 7 at 62-55 with 4:42 left to go in the game. However the Lady Bears would hold off the Bearcats late surge and claim the 68-57 victory.

Jacqui Zelenka had a solid all-around game for SBU, leading the team in points with 12, rebounds with 8, and assists with 4. Brittney Dukes also added 9 points and 4 rebounds, while Morgan Lucy gave the Bearcats 8 points. SBU had 10 different players score in game, while shooting 36.7% from the field, 22.7% from beyond the arc, and 80.0% from the free throw line.

The Bearcats will open up their regular season on Tuesday, November 13 when they travel back to Springfield, Missouri to take on Drury. Tip-off is set for 5:30 p.m. from Springfield.