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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE DeVader's
double-double leads Lions to season-opening win over Southwestern (Kan.) Pittsburg, Kan.. - Danielle DeVader led the Missouri Southern Lions with game-highs of 14 points and 13 rebounds to lead the way for a 76-41 season-opening win over the Southwestern (Kan.) Lady Builders in action at the Pitt State Chatters/Comfort Inn Classic Saturday evening (Nov. 15). It is the fourth straight season-opening victory for the Lions and the fifth in the last six seasons. It also marked the 200th career win for Maryann Mitts. The Lady Builders led 9-7 in the opening minutes when DeVader put the Lions on top with a three-pointer to fuel a 14-2 spurt that gave Southern a double-digit lead at 21-11 with six minutes left in the first half. After the Lady Builders trimmed the lead to 25-18 at the 2:46 mark of the first half, the Lions scored seven straight and led 32-18 after a trey from Jolea Apon. The Lions (1-0) maintained a 14-point lead into the half at 34-20. Southern stretched out the lead by scoring the first seven points after the break as a layup from Lindsey Davis put the Lions ahead 41-20 just 2:39 into the second half. The Lions led 48-30 when Michelle Hedgecock scored six straight points to spark an 18-5 run that gave Southern a commanding 66-35 advantage with 4:35 remaining. Hedgecock finished with 12 points, while Apon also scored 12 and hit 4-of-8 from three-point distance. Helfrich also scored in double-figures with 10 points and pulled down nine rebounds. Myosha Barnes dished out a team-best five assists. The Lady Builders' lone double-digit scorer was Jasmine Jackson, who scored 11 on 4-of-5 shooting from the field. The Lions shot 44.1 percent from the floor (30-of-68), while holding the Lady Builders (0-1) to just 31.7 percent (13-of-41). Southern will conclude action at the Pitt State Classic tomorrow with a matchup against Paul Quinn (Texas) tomorrow at 1 p.m.
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