Box Score

Bolivar, Mo. - The Southwest Baptist University women's basketball team used hot shooting to win an exciting game against the Bearcats from Northwest Missouri 76-74. With the victory SBU moves to 7-9 (2-6 MIAA) on the season while Northwest Missouri falls to 10-6 (4-4 MIAA).

Southwest Baptist came out of the gate ready to play, jumping quickly ahead at 6-1 less to three minutes into the contest. The two Bearcat squad played a tight game until SBU slowly started to build their lead. After being down two (12-14) with 11:50 to go in the first half, SBU went on a 12-2 run to take an eight point advantage at 24-16. The Bearcats would maintain their lead for the remainder of the half taking a 40-31 lead into the break.

In the second half SBU came out scoring the first two buckets of the half to go up 44-31 for their largest lead of the game. Northwest Missouri slowly chipped away at the lead, but Southwest Baptist would never give up the lead as they went on to claim a 76-74 victory. SBU was able to hit key free throws down the stretch, as well as give a solid defensive stand, to come away with the victory.

Jacqui Zelenka and Chasity Prince gave SBU solid games. Zelenka nearly had a triple-double with 17 points, 13 rebounds, and 7 assists while Chasity Prince scored a game high 23 points of off 11-16 shooting from the field while also pulling down 7 boards. Tanis Spani hit a career high 5 three's on her way to 16 points while Brook Duncan scored 12 points off of the bench.

As a team SBU shot 56.6% from the field, 50.0% from beyond the arc, and 63.6% from the free throw line. As a team SBU held Northwest Missouri to only 20 rebounds, while Southwest Baptist was able to haul in 31 boards.

"Our kids did a great job competing tonight," head coach Todd Voss stated after the victory. "They had a really gritty effort and they worked hard for forty minutes which is exactly what we need to do. Chasity Prince was outstanding tonight, scoring 23 points for us, and Jacqui Zelenka continues to be really consistent in terms of giving us another double-double. However the spark that Brook Duncan and Tanis Spani gave us was key. We had some break downs that we need to continue to improve on, but it is great to get the win and we look forward to getting to work on those things."

The Bearcats will return to action on Saturday, January 26 when they are set to host Nebraska-Kearney. Tip-off is set for 1:30 p.m. with the SBU Hall of Fame/Honors Night to follow the conclusion of the men's game at 6:00 p.m.