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ST. JOSEPH, Mo. -- The No. 11 Jennies erased a 12-point first half deficit to win, 59-53 at Missouri Western, clinching at least a share of the MIAA regular season title.
The Jennies (22-3, 16-2 MIAA) held a brief lead at 7-6 but Missouri Western rattled off nine-straight points to take a 15-7 lead with 11:40 left in the first half.
The Griffons maintained the lead throughout the remainder of the opening half, led by Sharniece Lewis, who tallied 14 points on 6-of-9 shooting. UCM shot just 23.1% (6-for-26) from the floor, helping Missouri Western take a 31-23 lead into halftime.
Keuna Flax,
Shelby Winkelmann and
BreAnna Lewis each scored to start the second half, pulling the Jennies to within three points in the first 2:23.
Following a jumper by JaQuitta Dever that put Missouri Western ahead, 39-33, the Jennies scored the next seven points on a three-pointer by
Justina Prairie Chief and four free throws from Flax to take their first lead of the game since 17:44 in the opening half.
The two teams exchanged leads four times over the next minute and both foes went without a basket for the next 3:11, until
Quinnecia Twine scored on a three-point play, bumping UCM's lead to 47-43.
The Jennies protected their lead for the remainder of the game, as the Griffons were unable to draw closer than two points. Leading 55-53 with 28 seconds left, the Jennies iced the game, sinking four-straight free throws.
Flax finished with her fifth double-double of the season, scoring 15 points and pulling down 13 boards. Winkelmann led the Jennies with 16 points - the most for the Rhineland, Mo. native since Jan. 6 against Washburn.
With the victory, the Jennies clinch the program's first conference title share since the 1995-96 season. Should the Jennies win their regular season finale at home against Northwest Missouri this Saturday, they will claim their first outright conference title since the 1990-91 season.
The 2013-14 regular season schedule will commence on Saturday, March 1 for Senior Day. Tip-off is set for 1:30 p.m.
