By TOMMY REZAC
St. Joseph Post
The Missouri Western women's basketball team, while likely not intentionally, used the same formula for victory that they did against No. 15 Fort Hays State two days prior.
Getting behind in the first half, and staging an impressive second half comeback. Only this time, the Griffons didn't wait until the fourth quarter, and didn't get down by 15.
Western (17-4, 12-3 MIAA) trailed by nine in the first half, but exploded out of halftime with 32 third quarter points - more than enough to secure a 73-61 win over the Lopers on Saturday in St. Joseph.
Missouri Western shot 4-of-14 the second quarter, but a remarkable 12-of-15 in the third, while holding UNK (15-6, 9-6 MIAA) to just eight third quarter points on 3-of-14 shooting.
The Griffons led 59-40 with 9:19 remaining. Kearney got to within 10 late, but never closer.
Brionna Budgets led Western with 14 points. She also had three assists and four rebounds. Jayme Jackson ended up with 12 points. All eleven Griffons who played scored a minimum of four points.
Six bench players combined to score 32 for the Griffons Saturday. Mackenzie Hart had eight, and Jordan Cunningham had six. Mary Fultz, who started, had eight points as well.
Shiloh McCool led UNK with 15 points and 10 rebounds. Jillian Aschoff had 13 points, six boards, and four steals. Kearney was held to 22-of-61 (36.1%) shooting, including 3-of-19 from three. The Lopers also missed seven free throws (14-of-21).
The Griffons were strong at the foul line (10-of-13) and ended up at 46.8% from the field (29-of-62).
Missouri Western has now won seven straight games overall, nine straight at home and 12 of their last 13.
Candi Whitaker interview
Jayme Jackson interview
Full audio broadcast
Missouri Western men start strong, hold off Nebraska-Kearney
The Missouri Western men's basketball team raced out to a 23-5 start in the first half against Nebraska-Kearney.
The Griffons (15-6, 9-6 MIAA) led 57-39 with 9:01 to play, and essentially rode that momentum to a 72-60 win over the Lopers on Saturday at the MWSU Fieldhouse.
Missouri Western snapped a three-game losing streak and never trailed, earning a season series split with UNK.
Kearney (5-15, 2-13 MIAA) lost their 1oth straight, but made it a game a couple of times, only trailing 32-23 going into halftime.
The Lopers then got it to within 10, 67-57, with just over two minutes left, but by that point, the Griffons were in the double-bonus and were able to make enough free throws to close it out.
Taye Fields led the way with a season-high 22 points and 10 rebounds - his fifth double-double this season, the 17th of his career and his fifth career DD against Nebraska-Kearney.
JaRon Thames settled for 14 points to go with five rebounds, three assists and three steals.
Kiani Saxon tallied 10 points and six boards. Julius Dixon and Zion Swader each scored seven.
Missouri Western goes back on the road this coming week, taking on Washburn on Wednesday in Topeka. The women's game is at 5:30, the men's at 7:30. Both are on KFEQ Radio (680, 95.3). Coverage starts at 5 p.m.
Will Martin interview
Kiani Saxon interview
Full audio broadcast
You can follow Tommy on Twitter @TommyKFEQ and St. Joseph Post @StJosephPost.