By TOMMY REZAC
St. Joseph Post
JOPLIN - The 21st-ranked Missouri Western women’s basketball team committed a season-high 26 turnovers in a 71-57 loss at Missouri Southern Thursday night.
The Griffons (18-4, 12-4 MIAA) were outscored 36-24 in the second half and the Lions sank eight three-pointers in the victory to end Western's six game winning streak.
It was also just the second time this year that the Missouri Western women have lost on the road.
Southern also scored 20 points off of the Griffons’ 26 turnovers, and the Lions only turned it over nine times themselves. Coach Candi Whitaker says that was the difference.
"Some of that is decision making," Whitaker said. "A big chunk of that is toughness. Can you get open on the wing? Can you meet passes? Can you rip through and see? And then making decisions when people make you make extra passes. We just weren't very good there.
"You're not going to beat anyone in this league, much less one of the best teams in this league, with 26 turnovers."
Corbyn Cunningham led the Griffons with 16 points and 13 rebounds. Brionna Budgets had 14 points, but also 9 turnovers. Lacy Stokes led Missouri Southern with 24 points, six assists and six steals, as the Lions (16-5, 14-3 MIAA) won their 10th straight and are still tied for first in the league standings with Fort Hays State.
The Missouri Western men, meanwhile, went blow-for-blow with Missouri Southern for much of Thursday’s game, but a 14-3 run by the Lions to end the first half and a 10-3 run to start the second half allowed the Lions to lead by as many as 14, and Southern held on to win 78-68 behind a 72 percent scoring effort in the second half.
The Griffons (10-13, 6-9 MIAA) also committed 16 turnovers, which led to 20 Southern points. Head coach Will Martin says the reason for this loss was easy to figure out.
"You're turning the ball over 16 times and you're on the road and you're keeping it within single digits, it's pretty simple," Martin said. "You have to take care of the basketball."
Will Eames scored 21 points on a career-high tying six three-pointers. Taye Fields had his second straight double-double with 12 points and 15 rebounds, as the Griffon men are now 2-9 in their last 11.
Both Griffon teams are at Pittsburg State on Saturday. The women tip at 1:30, the men at 3:30. Both games are on KFEQ Radio (680, 95.3). Coverage starts at 1 p.m.
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