Lions sweep pair at PSU Classic

MSSU Friday Box Score | MSSU Saturday Box Score

PITTSBURG, Kan. -- Junior Marina Caran scored 16 points to lead three Lions in double-figures as Missouri Southern avenged an earlier season defeat by knocking off the Southwestern Oklahoma State Bulldogs 69-61 at the Pittsburg State Thanksgiving Classic Saturday night (Nov. 26) in Pittsburg, Kan. The Lions lost the season's first meeting with SWOSU 58-52 on Nov. 18 at the MSSU Pizza Hut/Fairfield Inn Classic.

The Lions opened the Classic by defeating the Evangel Lady Crusaders 65-44 Friday night (Nov. 25).

Southern fell behind early as the Bulldogs scored the game's first 10 points and led up 12-2 with 13:35 left in the first half. MSSU did not find the scoreboard until 5:30 minutes had elapsed.

The Lions had an answer though by going on a 27-9 run, fueled by two three-pointers each from Caran (Kovin, Serbia) and senior Nicole Greninger (Webb City, Mo.) to take a 29-21 lead with 2:53 left in the first half.

The Lions opened up the lead and took a 35-24 advantage at the half.

Southern had to withstand a furious charge from the Bulldogs in the second half, as SWOSU opened the second stanza on an 11-1 run and eventually pulled ahead to lead by as many as three at 58-55 with 3:46 remaining.

The Lions had one more answer though as they forged a 59-59 tie and went ahead to stay on the strength of a three-pointer from Caran with 1:24 left 62-59. The Lions hit five free throw shots over the last minute of play to seal the victory.

Caran was joined in double-figures by seniors Dacie Reutlinger (Owasso, Okla.) and Greninger scored 11 and 10 points, respectively. Reutlinger also grabbed a team-high seven rebounds for the Lions. The Bulldogs were led by Oldham's 21 points and 12 rebounds.

In Friday's victory, the Lions scored 49 second half points, the most points scored in a single-half so far by Southern, to defeat Evangel after both teams struggled from the field in the first half.

The Lions shot 58 percent (17-of-29) from the field in the second half and knocked down seven three-pointers after shooting just 27 percent (6-of-22) in the first half.

After the game was tied 20-20 at halftime, both teams got into a much better offensive flow to begin the second half, but it was the Lions that ultimately took charge down the stretch. With the Lions up 35-34 with 15:31 left, Southern went on a 21-6 spurt to take a 56-40 lead with just 6:35 remaining. The Lady Crusaders got no closer than 15 after that.

The Lions two seniors stepped up to lead Southern as Reutlinger scored a game-high 14 points, while Greninger added 13 for Southern. Katie Leischner led Evangel with nine points, as no Lady Crusader reached double figures.

The Lions will next return home to host Newman (Kan.) Wednesday night (Nov. 30) at 7 p.m. at the Leggett & Platt Athletic Center.