Game Notes

Date: December 30, 2021
Time: 3:00 PM
Location: Bolivar, Mo.

Bolivar, Mo. - Southwest Baptist looks for their fourth straight win, wrapping up their non-conference schedule with an afternoon matchup against the Hannibal-LaGrange Trojans.

SCOUTING THE BEARCATS
In their first year as full-time members of the Great Lakes Valley Conference, the SBU Women's Basketball team finished 15-13 (9-11 GLVC) on the year. The GLVC allows just 8 teams to make the conference tournament. Finishing 10th out of 16 teams in the GLVC, the Bearcats narrowly missed the conference tournament for the second straight year.

The 2020-21 season was a shortened, conference opponent only season due to COVID-19. In that shortened season, SBU finished with a 5-14 record. Their strongest portion of the season came in January, as the team won 4 contests, 3 of those in a row. Arguably their best win came on the road against Maryville, defeating the Saints 100-97 in double overtime. Returning for an extra year of eligibility is All-GLVC selection, Kyleigh Vaught. She started 18 games last year, leading the team with 564 minutes played, scoring 261 points which averages to 14.5 per game (20th in GLVC). From the free throw line, Vaught shot 66-75 (88.0%) which led the conference. Vaught also led the team in three's made (27), assists (41), and steals (26). Eight other Bearcats return from the 2020-21 roster, including Brylee Graddy, Rachel Tippens, Nyah Pettus, Mary Rose Foster, Gabriella Capasso, Natalie Basham, Bella Irlenborn, and Alyssa Williams.

The Bearcats are on a roll as of recent, winning 4 out of their last 5 and looking for their fourth straight win. In their three conference contests, SBU handled William Jewell with ease, fell to Rockhurst on the road, and beat Missouri S&T by 18 points. Since that stretch, the team has defeated two non-conference teams in Baptist Bible College and Missouri Baptist University by 30+ points each. Kyleigh Vaught crossed the century mark last outing, racking up 108 points so far this year. She also leads the team with 33 assists. Nyah Pettus has looked solid this year, making 55.9% of her shots for 90 points. Alongside her efficient shooting, Pettus also leads the team with 61 rebounds and 7 blocks. Mary Rose Foster has locked down the other forward spot, scoring 89 points also on 55.9% shooting. From beyond the arc, Emma Perry leads the team with 23 made three point field goals.

SCOUTING THE TROJANS
The Hannibal-LaGrange Trojans enter Thursday's competition with a 2-10 (0-2 AMC) record this year. The Trojans began the year with a 5-game losing streak, losing by 15+ points in four out of those five contests. Breaking that streak, the Trojans handled Lincoln Christian 75-24 to pick up their first win. The team then went on another 5-game losing streak, four out of five of those being 20+ deficits. Quincy recently defeated HLG in an exhibition 84-49, but the Trojans won their most recent competition 61-32 over Baptist Bible College. Freshman Ashlyn Vermeer is the team's leading scorer with 10.4 ppg and leading rebounder with 5.1 rpg. Makayla Hostettler has also looked solid, averaging 8.6 ppg and 2.5 apg.

THE COACHES
SBU head coach Kelsey Keizer begins her eighth season on the SBU bench after compiling a 86-104 (49-88 conf.) record while at SBU. Coach Keizer led the Bearcats to back-to-back-to-back winning seasons (2015-16, 2016-17, and 2017-18) for the first time since the 2000-01, 2001-02, and 2002-03 seasons. Since joining the GLVC in 2019, Keizer has had three AllGLVC selections.

Kelly Quigle has been the leader of the Trojans since 2012. Her best season with the team came in 2012-13, as the team finished 15-17 (8-10 AMC). Graduating in 2004, Quigle attended Judson University and John Wood CC. She had a decorated playing career, receiving First Team AllConference and First Team All-Region honors.

ALL-TIME SERIES
SBU leads the all-time series 3-0. In 2019, SBU defeated HLG 86-35 at home. Kyleigh Vaught led the team with 15 points on 6-9 shooting from the field.