Southern women defeat Northwest, 80-71

Box Score

JOPLIN, Mo. -- Senior Dacie Reutlinger scored 15 of her team-high 17 points in the second half and added 10 rebounds to help the Missouri Southern Lions to their fourth straight victory by defeating the Northwest Missouri State Bearcats 80-71 Saturday afternoon (Jan. 14) at the Leggett & Platt Athletic Center.

The victory moves the Lions record to 11-5 overall and 3-2 in the MIAA, while dropping the Bearcats to 10-6 overall and 2-3 in conference play.

The first half was a back-and-forth affair, with the biggest lead for either side being a six-point advantage enjoyed by Missouri Southern on two occasions. Junior Marina Caran (Kovin, Serbia) and sophomore Brianna Volmer (Parsons, Kan.) each scored eight first-half points to help the Lions to a 38-35 lead at intermission.

The game remained close throughout the second half, with Northwest gaining their first lead of the second period on a three-pointer by Meghan Hamilton that put the Bearcats ahead 51-50 with 12:12 remaining in the contest.

The Bearcats went up by four at 54-50 before the Lions went on an 8-2 run to reclaim the lead on a jumper by Reutlinger with 8:10 left.

After Northwest went up 66-65 on a layup from Lauren Williams, the Lions went ahead for good on a three-pointer from senior Nicole Greninger (Webb City, Mo.) with just 3:29 remaining.

The Lions made 5-of-6 free throws over the final 1:08 to secure the victory.

Reutlinger was joined by four other Lions in double-figures, which were Caran (12), sophomore Robin Kantin (Silver Park, Md.) (11), Greninger (10) and Volmer (10). The 10 points scored by Volmer is a career high, whose previous career-best was eight, scored on two different occasions.

The Bearcats were led by Laura Friederich, who scored a game-high 20 points. Kelli Nelson and Williams also reached double-figures, scoring 13 and 12 points, respectively.

The Lions will look to make it five straight victories by traveling to Warrensburg, Mo. to face off against the Central Missouri State Jennies Wednesday night (Jan. 18) at 5:30 p.m.