By TOMMY REZAC
St. Joseph Post
TAHLEQUAH, OK - The Missouri Western women's basketball team got down by 11 points in the third quarter, but managed to lead it 52-49 with 9:27 left in the fourth.
That was about the last stroke of good fortune the Griffons would have Saturday. Northeastern State (6-7, 2-5 MIAA) ended the game on a 25-6 run and downed Missouri Western, 74-58, at the NSU Event Center in Tahlequah, Oklahoma Saturday.
Missouri Western (10-4, 5-3 MIAA) shot just 3-of-13 in the fourth quarter and were outscored that period, 27-9.
Northeastern was led in scoring by Halie Jones, who dropped 21 points on 4-of-4 shooting from three. Tor'e Alford scored 18.
Tiani Ellison and Brionna Budgets led Missouri Western with 15 points - a season-high for both of them. But, the Griffons were held to just 34.5% from the field, including a 2-of-18 clip from three.
It didn't help that Missouri Western was 16-of-29 at the free throw line.
The loss snaps what was a five-game winning streak for the Griffons, and it's their first loss at Northeastern State since November 2020.
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Griffon men use 20-0 first half run to put away Northeastern State
Northeastern State had a scoring drought in the first half that spanned nine minutes.
Missouri Western (11-3, 5-3 MIAA) took full advantage, reeling off a 20-0 run in that time and rolling to a 74-55 win in Tahlequah Saturday.
The Griffons led 37-19 at the break. The Riverhawks (5-8, 0-7 MIAA) got to within 15 points in the second half, but never closer.
The Griffons dominated on the glass all day, outrebounding the Riverhawks 45-26, including 18-6 on the offensive glass.
Missouri Western also shared the ball well, doling out 14 assists while only committing seven turnovers.
Zion Swader led the Griffons in scoring with 20 points, which included a 4-of-6 clip from three.
Taye Fields was unconscious with a game-high and career-high tying 19 rebounds. He also had 18 points, seven assists, a block and a steal.
JaRon Thames added 11 points. Kiani Saxon contributed 10.
The Missouri Western men have now won three straight and seven of the last eight meetings with NSU.
Both Griffon teams come back to St. Joseph on Saturday, January 13 for a rivalry matchup with Northwest Missouri State. The women play at 1:30, the men at 3:30. Both games are on KFEQ Radio (680, 95.3).
Both Bearcat teams were victorious at Rogers State Saturday. The Bearcat women (12-2, 6-2 MIAA) beat the Hillcats, 63-42. The Northwest men (11-3, 7-1 MIAA), ranked No. 19, beat Rogers 78-57.
Will Martin, Taye Fields interview
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