Box Score
Joplin, Mo. – The Missouri Southern Lions hosted the Bearcats in MIAA conference play Saturday afternoon. The Lions defeated the Bearcats 82-79, moving SBU's record to 4-11 (0-6 MIAA).
 
Sydney Bandy got the scoring going for both teams, making a layup a little over one minute after the tip. Bandy scored 6 of the Bearcats' first 8 points. Laura Vierkant nailed a three with 6:47 left in the first, giving SBU an 11-4 lead. With 3:28 to go in the quarter, MSSU took a 1 point lead, but it wouldn't last long as the teams would trade leads four times before the end of the quarter. The Lions had a three point lead as time was winding down, but Sydney Bandy scored a bucket as time ran out, cutting Southern's lead to 20-19.
 
The Lions scored the first points of the second quarter, but scores by Caylee Richardson and Brylee Graddy kept SBU within two. Southern quickly built their lead to 10, before  Caylee Richardson scored on a layup. MSSU had a 9 point lead with 2:34 to go in the half, but a Madison Strong three pointer and a Bailey Rezabek layup brought SBU within four. Unfortunately, the Lions made a three with two seconds left, giving them a 42-35 lead going into halftime.
 
The Bearcats came out of halftime hot. Laura Vierkant made a quick three, then RayShee Smith stole the ball on Southern's next possession and made a three of her own. Two good free throws brought SBU within 1, but two free throws and a layup by the home team made it a 5 point game once again. RayShee Smith duplicated her play on the previous possession, making another steal leading to a three pointer. MSSU then got hot offensively, pushing their lead to 12, winning 65-53 at the end of the third.
 
MSSU extended their lead to 14 on the first points of the quarter. Caylee Richardson made the first basket for the Bearcats in the fourth. A three from Laura Vierkant cut the Lion lead down to 8 with 6:33 remaining, but they maintained a lead of around 10 points for a majority of the quarter. With 3:32 left, the Lions had a 12 point lead, but the Bearcats didn't quit. Sydney Bandy got the scoring streak going with a three pointer. Bailey Rezabek followed her lead, making a three of her own. Caylee Richardson made two free throws after being fouled on a shot attempt. With 1:24 left in regulation, RayShee Smith drained another three, cutting MSSU's lead to just one. On the Lion's next possession, Laura Vierkant stole the ball, leading to a layup from RayShee Smith, giving the Bearcats a one point lead. MSSU drew a foul on their next possession, and made both free throws, regaining the lead. The Bearcats couldn't score on their possession, fouling the opponents to try to get the ball back. Southern again made both free throws, pushing their lead to three. SBU attempted a deep three with 4 seconds left, but it wouldn't fall in the basket, giving MSSU an 82-79 victory.
 
Caylee Richardson led the Bearcats in points, scoring 20 and also grabbing 5 rebounds. Sydney Bandy was one rebound shy of a double-double, scoring 11 and grabbing 9 rebounds. Laura Vierkant scored 15 and had 4 steals, and Bailey Rezabek and RayShee Smith finished with 13 and 11 points respectively. Smith went 4-6 from the field, including 3-4 from three point range.
 
The Bearcats return home for their next competition, hosting Lindenwood at 5:30 PM on Thursday, January 17.