PITTSBURG, Kan. – Senior
Shelby Winkelmann led five Jennies in double figures, scoring 28 points and picking up her first double-double of the season with a career-high 10 assists. The win is Central Missouri's third straight and moves them to 5-7 on the season and 4-3 in the MIAA.
Winkelmann wasn't the only Jennie with a double-double as senior
Ashley Jones scored 12 points and grabbed 11 rebounds.
Tayler Weiks scored 13 points,
Danielle Randle set a career-best with 12 points and
Sydney Crockett added 11.
UCM shot 50% from the floor for the second straight game, connecting on 33-of-65 attempts. The Jens were also 11-of-19 from beyond the arc. Winkelmann was 4-of-5 from three and Randle, Crockett and Weiks all splashed two treys.
Central Missouri got off to a hot start. After the Gorillas took a 7-6 lead, the Jens closed the opening frame on a 15-7 run. Crockett hit back-to-back threes with just over a minute remaining to put Central Missouri up seven.
Pitt State was able to cut into the Jennies lead before the half. The Gorillas actually retook the lead with 4:41 to play in the second, but consecutive baskets from
Danielle Barry and Winkelmann gave UCM a lead which they never gave back.
UCM closed the half getting a pair of free throws from Weiks and one from Jones, taking a 35-30 lead into the half.
The third period has been good to the Jennies this season and tonight was no exception. UCM scored 34 points after the break pushing their lead to a high of 24 before the period ended.
Pitt State tried to make a comeback in the fourth, getting to within 13 points of UCM but the Jennies were able to hold them off as Winkelmann and Weiks hit threes to put the game on ice.
The 87 points are the most the Jennies have scored all season and it is the first win for the Jennies on the road.
Pittsburg State had three players in double-figures led by Mikaela Burgess who scored 22. Kylie Gafford added 18 points and grabbed a team-best seven rebounds. Hadyn Herlocker handed out seven assists.
The Jennies look to keep their winning streak going Saturday, Jan. 9 as they travel to Joplin, Mo. to battle the Missouri Southern Lions. Tip-off time is 1 p.m.
