By TOMMY REZAC
St. Joseph Post
The Missouri Western women’s basketball team set a new school record in points scored in a single game, as the Griffons shot 63.2 percent from the field, including a record 72.7 percent from three, in a 120-49 win over the University of Saint Mary Wednesday.
Six Griffons finished in double figures, led by Jaelyn Haggard who scored 20. Brionna Budgets had 16, while Mary Fultz scored 15.
Missouri Western did the most damage in the third quarter, where they scored a blistering 47 points - more points than they scored in their whole game against Northwest Missouri State.
"That third quarter was a lot of fun," Missouri Western coach Candi Whitaker said. "I don't know if I've ever been a part of a quarter like that or putting up 120 (points). I'd have to think hard about that."
After leading by only seven points after the first quarter, Whitaker liked her team’s energy in the second half.
"I thought we responded in the second half, and you could see that on both ends," she said. "We were making great decisions and playing well together. Obviously, it helps when the ball goes in."
The Missouri Western men followed that up with a 78-50 win over Friends University in an exhibition Wednesday.
Jaron Thames led the Griffons with 17 points, while Justin Bubak had a career-high 16. Reed Kemp had 12. The Griffons held Friends to just 26.2 percent shooting on the day.
It wasn’t perfect, but coach Will Martin thought his team handled it well.
"We were able to play 16 guys," he said. "Which makes it hard when it comes to rhythm and flow, but I thought our guys did a good job of stepping up and treating this game serious just like we would treat an MIAA game."
The Griffons stay home Saturday to host Pittsburg State, weather permitting. The women tip at 5, and the men at 7 p.m. The games will be carried on KFEQ Radio with pregame starting at 4:30.