Box Score Bolivar, Mo. - The Southwest Baptist women's basketball team defeated the Missouri Baptist Spartans Tuesday night by a score of 88-66. With the win, the Bearcats improve to 5-0 in the 2017-18 season.

In the 1st quarter, the Bearcats came out hot with an 8-0 run in the first four minutes. With 3:00 left in the quarter, Sydney Bandy stretched the Bearcat lead to 10 with a three. The Spartans hung around though as they hit back-to-back threes to end the quarter and trim Southwest Baptist's lead to 21-16 going into the 2nd quarter. In the 2nd quarter, 5 straight points from Madison Strong off the bench made the Bearcat lead 28-21 with 7:35 to go in the half. For the next three minutes, Missouri Baptist put together a 13-5 run, finished off by a Shaylen Robinson three, to provide the Spartans a one point edge. Megan Rosenbohm immediately responded with a three to put the Bearcats back on top 36-34. However, the Spartans would not go away as the two teams traded buckets the rest of the half and SBU only took a 40-39 advantage into halftime.

To start the second half, the Bearcats came out energized and used a 17-5 run over the first five minutes to push their lead to 57-42. The run was capped by another three pointer from Rosenbohm and a Caylee Richardson off a beautiful pass from Ray'Shionne Smith. Over the next four minutes, the Spartans continued to make things tough for the Bearcats as they reduced the SBU lead to 57-51 at 1:37 mark in the third quarter. Off a jumper from Monique Manuel and a free throw from Madison Strong, the Bearcats took a 63-54 lead into the fourth quarter. The fourth quarter belonged to Southwest Baptist. They outscored the Spartans 25-12. With 7:16 to go in the fourth, another Richardson layup brought the SBU lead back to double digits. Then a layup from Strong extended the Bearcat advantage to 73-58. Rosenbohm followed by converting a traditional three point play, and a Caylee Richardson layup at 3:37 mark made the lead 20 points. The last three minutes the Bearcats would cruise to a 88-66 victory.

Once again, Megan Rosenbohm and Caylee Richardson were the stars tonight for the Bearcats. Rosenbohm tied her season high by pouring in a game high 26 points to go along with 6 rebounds and 5 assists. Rosenbohm shot a sizzling 77.8% (7-9) from the field, 60% (3-5) from downtown, and 90% (9-10) at the stripe. Richardson continued her efficient season as she scored 18 points, grabbed 6 rebounds, and shot 70% (7-10) from the floor. The Bearcats got a spark off the bench from Madison Strong with 15 points and 6 assists on 54.5% (6-11) shooting from the floor. For the night, the Bearcats shot 52.5% on field goals, 36.4% from three, and 80% at the line. They also dished 22 assists on 32 field goal makes and turned the Spartans over 22 times.

The Bearcats return to action on Friday, November 24th when they hit the road for the first time this season to challenge the Barry University Buccaneers in Miami Shores, Florida. Tip is scheduled for 5 p.m eastern and 4 p.m. central.