Box Score
Joplin, Mo. - Ray'Shionne Smith's best game in a Bearcat uniform could not have come at a better time as she scored a game high and career 21 points to propel Southwest Baptist to their third straight victory. The win improves SBU's record to 15-8 (7-7 MIAA) while Missouri Southern falls to 10-12 (7-7 MIAA).

Smith scored her 21 points on 8 of 17 (47.1%) shooting overall, which included 5 of 7 (71.4%) from the three point line. Megan Rosenbohm was the only other Bearcat in double digits with 18 points. Most of her damage was done at the free throw line as she went 12-12 from the stripe. Rosenbohm added 6 rebounds and a team high 4 assists too. Caylee Richardson chipped in 8 points and grabbed a team high 8 rebounds in the game. After a cold first half, SBU picked it up in the second half and shot a scorching 51.6% from the floor. Overall, Southwest Baptist converted 39.1% (25-64) of its field goal tries, 37.5% (9-24) of its threes, and 83.3% (20-24) of its free throws. The Bearcats won the rebounding battle over the Lions, 43 to 38 and cashed in 17 points off of 11 Lion turnovers. The Bearcat bench was also a key factor as SBU got 19 bench points from the likes of Regan Tibbits, Bailey Rezabek, and Taliayah Wilson.

After Missouri Southern opened up an early 7-3 lead, Tibbits finished off five straight points from the Bearcats to take an 8-7 advantage. The Lions responded and regained a 18-13 advantage with 32 seconds to go in the quarter. Two Rosenbohm free throws trimmed the deficit to 18-15 going into the second quarter. 

At the 7:01 mark of the second quarter, Smith layed the ball in to cap a 9-0 run from the Bearcats and hand SBU a 24-18 lead. With 1:46 left, Missouri Southern regained the lead 29-28 over SBU. The Lions added a free throw to make it 30-28 at halftime. 

After the first four minutes of third quarter play, the Lions had extended their margin to six points, 42-36. Behind a 9-2 spurt, SBU knotted the contest at 45. Tibbits gave the Bearcats their first lead of the quarter at 51-49. Then after a Missouri Southern three, Rezabek answered with a three to provide SBU a 54-52 advantage heading into the final quarter of play. 

SBU carried their momentum into the fourth quarter, using a 12-4 run over the first three and a half minutes of the quarter to open up a double digit lead, 66-56. With 4:54 to go, Richardson gave SBU a 12 point advantage, which was the largest for any team all game. With 1:39 remaining, the Lions had cut the margin down to five but free throws from Richardson, Rezabek, and Rosenbohm ultimately secured the 79-75 win.    

Southwest Baptist will next be in action on Saturday, February 10th when travel to clash with Pittsburg State. Tip is set for 1:30 PM in Pittsburg, Kansas.