Box Score
Bolivar, Mo. – The Women's Basketball team fell to Avila University 73-79 Monday afternoon. The Bearcats fall to 3-7 (0-2 MIAA) on the year.
 
The first 6 points of the game came from free throws. Caylee Richardson drained two right off the bat, followed by two makes from Morgan Henderson. Avila answered with two made free throws of their own. The first bucket in play was a layup by Caylee Richardson, extending the SBU lead to four. Avila hung around in the first, but the Bearcats took a 22-11 lead at the end of the first thanks to good three pointers from Madison Strong and two from RayShee Smith.
 
SBU quickly pushed their lead to 13 on a Laura Vierkant layup, but Avila answered back. The teams went back and forth in the second quarter, but the Bearcats had a 16 point lead with 13 seconds before halftime. The visitors made a three with 9 seconds left, creating a 40-27 SBU lead going into halftime.
 
The Eagles came out with fire to start the third quarter, quickly trimming the Bearcat lead to 4 with a little over 5 minutes left. Good free throws from Regan Tibbits extended the lead to six. A three point play by the visitors tied the game at 46, but a Taliayah Wilson layup gave SBU a 2 point lead. The Eagles answered with a three, giving them the lead. Avila would hold on to the lead the remainder of the game. Going into the fourth, Avila led 55-48.
 
Morgan Henderson scored a quick bucket to open the fourth, but the Eagles had quick answers. With 5:55 left, Madison Strong nailed a three to bring SBU within four. Again, Avila answered back. The Bearcats fought until the very end, going back and forth, but Avila held on to their lead, ending with a score of 73-79.
 
Morgan Henderson led the Bearcats, finishing with 16 points, 6 rebounds, 3 assists, and 2 steals. Laura Vierkant also contributed 13 points, 4 rebounds, and 5 steals. RayShee Smith was the other Bearcat in double digit points, scoring 13. Caylee Richardson led the team in rebounds, collecting 7 boards.
 
SBU will be back in action on Saturday, December 29^th at 1:30, taking on Missouri Baptist in Bolivar.