Box Score

Bolivar, Mo. - The Southwest Baptist University women's basketball team fell at the hands of Central Missouri on Thursday evening 79-67. With the loss, SBU drops to 8-13 (3-10 MIAA) on the season.

The Bearcats and Jennies were in a battle from the beginning, and after a UCM layup to open the game up Dilonna Johnson knocked down a three to give SBU an early 3-2 lead. The Jennies came right back to go up four (9-5) with 14:08 left in the first, but the Bearcats kept the game tight by never letting UCM go on a run. A three from Megan Rosenbohm with 11:07 left in the half tied the game back up at 14-14, and an Alexis Edwards jumper with 7:51 left gave SBU a 19-17 lead. The Bearcats and Jennies continued to exchange baskets, and a three from Dilonna Johnson with two seconds left in the half tied the game up at 28-28 heading into the break.

In the second half, the Bearcats and Jennies opened up with tight play, and another Dilonna Johnson three tied the game back up at 33-33 with 18:36 to go. UCM then used a 16-4 run to push their lead to double-digits (49-37) with 14:11 left, but SBU wouldn't back down. The Bearcats fought all the way back by using a 17-4 run topped off by a Dilonna Johnson three to take a 54-53 lead with 8:21 to go in the contest. UCM responded right back with a 10-0 run of their own to re-take the lead. SBU put together back-to-back buckets to cut the deficit back down to six (64-58) with 3:50 to go, but weren't able to get regain the lead as they eventually fell 79-67.

Dilonna Johnson had a career night for the Bearcats, pouring in a career high 31 points, including 6 three's, to go along with 5 assists. Alexis Edwards also had a solid game for SBU off of the bench, scoring 12 points to go along with 7 rebounds. As a team SBU shot 41.7% from the field, 34.8% from beyond the arc, and 69.2% from the free throw line. SBU held UCM to only 37.1% shooting from the field, but the Jennies held a 43-13 free attempt advantage on the evening.

The Bearcats will take the weekend off before returning to action on Wednesday, February 11 when they travel to Lindenwood. Tip-off from St. Charles, Missouri is set for 5:30 p.m.