Jennies Stifle Griffons in 67-48 Win

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (Dec. 5, 2020) - Central Missouri Jennies played an outstanding defensive game defeating Missouri Western 67-48 to improve to 4-0 on the season. The Jennies had three in double-figures led by Nija Collier.

How it Happened
• The Jennies shot 39% for the game and were 20 for 45 in the final three quarters. They were just 5-25 from three but hit 16-of-22 at the free throw line.
• UCM's defense held the Griffons to just 35% from the field. They forced 23 MWSU turnovers and had 15 steals. 
• The Jennies also won the rebounding battle 37-33 and pulled down 12 offensive boards scoring 17 second-chance points.
• UCM had another strong inside presence outscoring the Griffons 34-22 in the paint.
• The game got off to a slow start for each team. It took more than three minutes for the first points of the game, a Brooke Littrell jumper for a 2-0 Jennies lead. UCM had trouble figuring out the Griffons zone defense though. Lucky for UCM the Griffons started just 1-11 from the floor, but after 10 ugly minutes, it was an 11-9 MWSU lead.
• Things started clicking for the Jennies in the second. Charley Bovaird got it started with a three and the Jens never trailed again. Bovaird hit a another three to put the Jennies up six, 16-11. More than halfway through the second the Jennies were outscoring the Griffons 13-2 in the frame going up 11, 24-13. A steal and a score from Morgan VanHyfte gave the Jens their largest lead of the half, 32-18 and they went into the break up 11, 32-21. 
• UCM began the third like they finished the second. They scored the first eight points of the half, taking a 40-21 lead. A pair of Nija Collier free throws put the Jennies up 20, 46-26 with 4:35 left to play and the Jennies led by 19, 53-34 going to the fourth.
• Collier hit a three to start the fourth but then the Griffons started to mount a bit of a comeback. They went on a 14-2 run to cut the lead back down to 10, 58-48. Graycen Holden ended the run with a layup and then Olivia Nelson's steal led to a fast break layup for Bovaird as the Jennies went back on top by 14 and went on to win 67-48.

It Was Over When...
• Missouri Western cut a 22-point Jennies lead down to 10 in the fourth quarter. After a Graycen Holden layup, Olivia Nelson came up with a steal, dished it to Morgan VanHyfte who fed it to Charley Bovaird for a fast-break layup and the Jens were back up 14, 62-48 with 2:30 to play.

Jennies Stat Leaders
• Nija Collier scored a game-high 18 points on 5-9 shooting and was 7-7 at the free throw line with seven rebounds.
• Brooke Littrell scored a career-high 15 points.
• Graycen Holden was 3-4 and scored 11 points eight seven boards.
• Morgan VanHyfte scored nine with six assists, six rebounds and four steals.
• Charley Bovaird added eight points off the bench.

For the Griffons
• Josie Weishaar was 4-6 from three scoring 16 points.
• Camille Evans added 10 points.
• Mary Fultz scored seven with four rebounds.

News and Notes
• The Jennies have held opponents below 60 points in three of four games and the most they've allowed is 61.
• UCM is now 41-30 all time against the Griffons. They've won eight of the last nine. 
• Central Missouri is yet to trail at the half in a game this season.
• The Jennies average margin of victory through four games is 17.75 points.
• Nija Collier has scored in double-figures in all four games.

Up Next
• The Jennies are off for a week. They'll return to action Saturday, Dec. 12 and continue their five-game road trip in Jefferson City against Lincoln.