Season-Best Free Throw Shooting Pushes Jennies to Win

WARRENSBURG, Mo. (Jan. 18, 2018) - The free throw line was No. 10 Central Missouri's best friend Thursday night at the multi. They knocked in 26 and shot 90% at the line on their way to an 18-point win over Lincoln, 71-53. The win is the Jennies 11th straight and moves them to 14-1 on the season. They also remain unbeaten in the MIAA at 8-0.

How It Happened
• Four Jennies scored in double-figures and eight grabbed at least two rebounds. 
• While the free throw was good to UCM, the three-point line was not. Central Missouri connected on just 3-24 from beyond the arc, a season-worst 12.5%. 
• The Jennies needed to rely on their defense for much of the game and it came through as Lincoln turned the ball over 19 times. Central Missouri had five blocks and 10 steals. The Jennies turned those 19 turnovers into 21 points.
• The Blue Tigers out-shot the Jennies 43%-38%. Inside the three-point line though, UCM was 18-31 (58%).
• Central Missouri also held a big edge rebounding, 37-27. The grabbed 19 offensive rebounds and scored 16 second-chance points.
• While the Jennies managed to lead for more than 38 minutes, the Blue Tigers never were too far behind. Davenport Brantley gave Lincoln a brief 9-7 lead, but Sydney Crockett hit her only three of the game to answer right back. That put UCM up 10-9 midway through the first, and they never trailed again.
• Megan Skaggs and Morgan Fleming helped to push the lead to 11 midway through the second. Skaggs poured in eight points and UCM went on top 31-20. Lincoln was able to quickly answer and got the lead down to six at the break, 37-31.
• After intermission, Central Missouri scored the first seven points, five at the free throw line, opening up a 13-point lead, 46-33. It seemed like the Jennies might take over from there, but Lincoln went on a 14-4 run, including scoring 10 straight to bring it back to a one-possession game at 48-45.
• The fourth quarter started with UCM ahead by just three, 50-47 and the Jennies defense went to work. They allowed just six fourth-quarter points and scored 21 themselves, 14 coming at the free throw line. 

It Was Over When...
• It was a slow burn, as UCM gradually increased the lead, one free throw at a time. Megan Skaggs started the fourth with a layup and then UCM scored their next seven points at the charity stripe. Paige Redmond, who was quiet from behind the arc all game long, finally connected for a three, giving the Jennies an 11-point lead, 62-51, which put the game on ice.

Jennies Stat Leaders
• Megan Skaggs led all scorers with 20 points. It is her second 20-point night in the last three games. She was 9-10 at the FT line, 5-7 from the field and grabbed five rebounds as well. The 20 points also matches a career-best, which the sophomore has now hit, four times. 
• Morgan Fleming scored six of her 16 at the free throw line. She was 5-10 from the floor and led the Jennies with seven rebounds, one shy of her season-best.
• Paige Redmond added 11 points, six at the free throw line. She also led the game with four assists.
• Sydney Crockett was the fourth Jennie to reach double-digits with 10 points. She came down with a season-best five rebounds, all offensive.
• Kayonna Lee shot 3-4 from the field for eight points. She also had a four-of-a-kind with two rebounds, two assists, two blocks and two steals.
• Jolene Shipps came off the bench to score four points and grab five rebounds. Kelsey Williams pulled down six while scoring two points, giving out two assists and blocking a shot.

For the Blue Tigers
• Bre Coleman led the team with both 12 points and eight rebounds. She was 5-10 from the field and also blocked a shot.
• Citlali Lopez reached double-digits with 10 points, including a pair of three-pointers. She also came away with four steals.
• Lajanea Kimbrough scored seven points and had two rebounds.

News and Notes
• The Jennies move to 8-0 in the MIAA for the first time since the 1990-91 season when they started 10-0.
• Central Missouri is now 54-3 all-time against the Blue Tigers.
• The last time UCM shot 90% from the free throw line was Feb. 2, 2017 when they went 6-6 in a loss to Central Oklahoma.
• UCM has now held 11 of 15 opponents to 60 points or less in a game this season.
• With 101 made three-pointers, Paige Redmond has tied Tayler Weiks for ninth all-time at UCM.
• In MIAA games, UCM is shooting 81% at the free throw line, tied for second-best in the league.
• The 11 straight wins are the longest win streak of the Dave Slifer era. It is the longest since the 1995-96 season when they won 15 straight games.
• At 14-1 it is also the best start to a season in the Dave Slifer era and the best start to a season since 1995-96 when the Jennies started 15-1. 

Up Next
• The Jennies wrap up this brief homestand with a game against Lindenwood on Hall of Fame Saturday, Jan. 20. The Lions defeated UCM 69-67 in February, 2017 in their last meeting.