WARRENSBURG, Mo. (Jan. 16, 2017) - For the second time this season, Central Missouri Jennies Basketball overcame a double-digit deficit to defeat Missouri Western. Trailing by as much as 11 in the first half, the Jens outscored the Griffons 39-12 en route to a 69-49 win. The win puts the Jens at 13-2 and 6-1 in the MIAA.
The Jennies offense came alive after the first quarter, shooting 20-35 from the floor (54.5%) for the final 30 minutes. UCM turned a seven-point halftime deficit into a 20-point win, outscoring MWSU 39-12 in the second half and 22-2 in the fourth quarter. The two points allowed is the fewest the Jens have ever allowed in any quarter since the NCAA went to four quarter games in 2015-16.
Central Missouri got off to a slow start, scoring only eight first-quarter points. With seven minutes remaining in the half, the Griffons pushed their lead to a game-high 11, 24-13 after a pair of Melia Richardson free throws.
It wasn't until the third when the Jennies were able to make up ground.
Paige Redmond buried a three to tie the game at 40-all. She followed that up by hitting two free throws and the Jennies never trailed again. A 13-0 stretch in the third culminated with a
Kendra Gladbach three as UCM went from trailing by eight, 40-32, to up five, 45-40.
Missouri Western was able to re-tie the game though at 47-47 to end the third, but then didn't score again until the 2:20 mark of the final frame. In that time the Jens went on an 18-0 run to put the game away, getting two three-pointers and six free throws during the run.
Sydney Crockett and
Kelsey Williams each hit three pointers to start the quarter and the rout was on. With 3:26 to play, Crockett sunk all three free throw attempts after being fouled behind the arc. She scored seven of her 19 points at the charity stripe, going a perfect 7-for-7.
Crockett finished as the game's leading scorer with her 19 points, adding four triples. Redmond added 18 points and was 6-6 at the free throw line. The Jens went 16-for-17 at the free throw line for a season-best 94.1%.
Kayonna Lee helped out on both ends picked up her fourth double-double with 12 points and 12 rebounds.
Sydney Skaggs chipped in a career-best eight points, including a three-pointer late in the second quarter, her first three-point attempt of the season.
Central Missouri finished the game 22-46, 47.8% and 9-20 from behind the arc, 45.0%. The defense held the Griffons to 30.6% shooting (19-52) and just 1-15 from three, a season low 6.7%.
The Griffons were led in scoring by Julia Torres and Sefulu Faavae who each scored 10. Torres also came down with a team-high nine rebounds.
The Jennies hit the road in just two days to take on Lincoln in Jefferson City, Mo. Tip-off is scheduled for 5:30 p.m.
