WARRENSBURG, Mo. – University of Central Missouri Jennies Basketball opened the 2026 portion of its schedule with a 70-61 victory over the Emporia State Lady Hornets on New Year's Day, Thursday, Jan. 1, inside the Jerry M. Hughes Athletics Center.
The Jennies (9-4, 3-1 MIAA) are scheduled to travel to Northwest Missouri State (9-4, 2-1 MIAA) in Maryville, Mo., on Wednesday, Jan. 7, for a 5:30 p.m. conference contest.
Central Missouri used a 10-0 run late in the second quarter to turn a 24-21 lead into a 34-22 advantage after
Jayla Griffith drilled a three-pointer with 1:24 remaining on the clock. UCM went into halftime with a 36-27 lead.
The Lady Hornets (7-5, 1-2 MIAA) were able to trim the UCM advantage to five points twice in the fourth quarter, but the Jennies went an impressive 13-of-16 at the free-throw line, including a perfect 10-of-10 performance from
Reese Schaaf, in the final six minutes of the game to keep Emporia State from getting any closer and secure the win.
Schaaf ended the game with a season-high 29 points on 8-of-11 shooting from the floor and a career-best 13-of-13 showing at the free-throw line, and added 11 rebounds for her third double-double of the season, while
Taylor Weishaar also reached double figures with 10 points, leading the Jennies in the contest.
Jolie Bonderer, Griffith, and
Hayden Heim each tallied eight points, respectively.
For the game, UCM went 22-of-46 from the floor (48 percent) and were 23-of-30 at the free-throw line for 77 percent. Central Missouri outrebounded Emporia State, 35-27, and outscored the Lady Hornets in the paint, 34-26, and off turnovers, 23-21.
Kaitlyn Sanders scored 26 points, and Gracie Gilpin added 13 points, pacing ESU in the contest.
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