TAHLEQUAH, Okla. - Central Missouri Jennies Basketball started 7-for-10 from the floor and scored the first seven points of the game en route to a 74-56 win at Northeastern State. UCM never trailed in the game, going up by as many as 14, 20-6, in the first quarter to put themselves back over .500 in the MIAA. The Jens are 7-9 on the season and 6-5 in conference games.
For the third time in six games the Jennies shot 50% or better from the floor. UCM went 29-of-58 for exactly 50%.
Ashley Jones led the team scoring 20 points, her second time in three games scoring 20 or more. She was 9-of-10 from the field and also led the team with eight rebounds.
Ashley Duffy and
Danielle Randle each scored 13 points, a career-best for Randle.
Paige Redmond also scored a career-high with 11 points. She was perfect from three-point land, splashing three triples as UCM hit 41% from beyond the arc. Randle also came away with five steals.
After the Jennies went up by 14 in the first period, the RiverHawks began to make a comeback. With 4:07 remaining in the half, MaryJane Buschmann hit a jumper to get NSU within two, 27-25. But the Jennies defense went into lockdown mode for the rest of the half, not allowing another point and scoring five more to extend their lead to seven, 32-25.
The third period has been the best for the Jennies this season and Thursday night was no exception. UCM outscored the RiverHawks by nine, 55-39, pushing their lead to 16 points.
Ashley Jones hit a layup with eight minutes remaining in the game, putting the Jennies up 20 and their lead was never in question.
With help from Jones, the Jennies dominated in the paint, outscoring NSU 30-18 under the glass. They also outrebounded Northeastern 35-26 and held a 12-0 advantage in second-chance points.
The RiverHawks had two in double-figures, led by Cailyn Long who scored 15, going 4-of-6 from three. Buschmann scored 13 with four rebounds and four steals.
The Jennies trip to Oklahoma continues Saturday, Jan. 23 in Edmond. Central Missouri takes on Central Oklahoma with a 1:30 p.m. tip.
