FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Jan. 17, 2009

Lions hit season-high 13 treys in 72-40 win at Nebraska-Omaha

Box Score

Omaha, Neb. - Danielle DeVader tied her career-high with six three-pointers as the Missouri Southern Lions roared past the Nebraska-Omaha Mavericks 72-40 Saturday evening (Jan. 17) at Sapp Fieldhouse in Omaha, Neb. The win is the Lions' biggest conference win on the road since winning 105-71 at Lincoln back on Jan. 15, 1992. The win is also Lions' head coach Maryann Mitts' 128th career victory, moving her within one game of tying Jim Phillips for first-place on the all-time wins list.

DeVader nailed two of her treys early in the second half to key an 11-3 run and help the Lions extend a nine-point halftime lead into a 41-23 cushion with 15:44 left.

The lead was 48-31 when the Lions scored the next seven points for their largest advantage to that point at 55-31 at the 10:33 mark of the second half.

After the Mavericks scored four straight to claw within 55-35, the Lions finished the final 9:10 of the contest by out-scoring UNO 17-5 for the big 32-point victory.

The Lions (12-4, 6-3 MIAA) jumped out to a quick 7-2 advantage in the first half and led 11-7 when the Mavericks (7-7, 4-5 MIAA) scored the next five points to take their only lead of the game at 12-11 with 12:44 left in the opening half.

DeVader and Myosha Barnes quickly erased that brief deficit by combining for 13 points during a 17-2 Lion explosion over the next 6:43 to put the Lions ahead 27-14 with 6:01 left in the first half.

The Lions went on to lead 30-21 at the half.

DeVader scored all of her points on her six treys and wound up with a game-high 18 points. Her six field goals overall also ties her career-high. Barnes finished with 12 and India Wood added 11. DeVader and Lindsey Davis each led the Lions with five rebounds.

The Lions did not allow a single Maverick to reach double-figures, as Ashley Nelson scored nine to lead UNO.

The stingy Lions' defensive effort held the Mavericks to 35.6 percent (16-of-45) from the field and only a 23.1 percent (3-of-13) mark from beyond the arc.

The Lions shot a solid 46.4 percent (26-of-56) from the field overall and 43.3 percent (13-of-30) from three-point distance.

Southern will remain on the road and play at Northwest Missouri State on Wednesday evening (Jan. 21) at 5:30 p.m. in Maryville, Mo. The Lions and NWMSU split during the regular season last year, but the Bearcats bested the Lions in overtime at the MIAA Postseason Tournament in Kansas City, Mo.