Dec 31, 2023

MWSU WBB breaks records against Kansas Christian, Griffon men dominate Avila

Posted Dec 31, 2023 1:01 AM
Alyssa Bonilla (4) had a career-high nine assists in a 147-16 win over Kansas Christian College on Saturday at the MWSU Fieldhouse. Photo by A.J. Robbins.
Alyssa Bonilla (4) had a career-high nine assists in a 147-16 win over Kansas Christian College on Saturday at the MWSU Fieldhouse. Photo by A.J. Robbins.

By TOMMY REZAC

St. Joseph Post

Missouri Western women's basketball broke nine program records and seven MIAA records in a jaw-dropping 147-16 win over Kansas Christian College at the MWSU Fieldhouse on Saturday.

The Griffons went up 42-0 by the end of the first quarter, and little more needs to be said about how the game unfolded after that.

The records broken Saturday are as follows, per Missouri Western athletics:

Program records

  1. Points scored: 147
  2. Points in a quarter: 42
  3. Points in a half: 81
  4. Points allowed: 16
  5. Threes made: 20
  6. Assists: 45
  7. Margin of victory: 131 points
  8. Field goals made: 60
  9. Field goals attempted: 102

MIAA records

  1. Points scored: 147
  2. Points in the first quarter: 42
  3. Points in a half: 81
  4. Points allowed: 16
  5. Assists: 45
  6. Margin of victory: 131 points
  7. Field goals made: 60

Seven Griffons finished in double figures. Sophomore guard/forward Kassandra Caron got her first career start and made the most of it, turning in her first career double-double with 23 points and 12 rebounds.

Freshman and St. Joseph native Kelsey Johnson scored 18 points off the bench on five made three-pointers. Sophomore Meredith Rieker turned in a career-high 22 points on four made threes.

Brionna Budgets scored 15, Jayme Jackson 14, Jordan Cunningham 13 and LaJahda Boyland scored 10 in the win.

The Griffons (9-3), winners of four straight, tallied 86 bench points and 78 points off of turnovers.

Kansas Christian had only six players available Saturday. They were led in scoring by Nickiah Metcalf, who had seven. The Falcons (0-12) were held to 4-of-36 shooting, including 1-of-13 from three.

Candi Whitaker interview

Kassandra Caron interview

Griffon men explode in second half in win over Avila

JaRon Thames (24) scored 10 points and had five rebounds in a 90-37 win over Avila Saturday. Photo by A.J. Robbins.
JaRon Thames (24) scored 10 points and had five rebounds in a 90-37 win over Avila Saturday. Photo by A.J. Robbins.

Leading 23-15 with 7:12 to go in the first half, the Missouri Western men ended the half on a 13-3 run, leading 36-18 at the break.

That, as it turns out, was just the start.

The Griffons (9-3) opened the second half on a 20-2 run and never let up in a 90-37 takedown of Avila Saturday at the MWSU Fieldhouse.

Missouri Western outscored Avila in the second half 54-19, and held the Eagles to just 5-of-28 shooting in the final 20 minutes.

The Griffons on the other hand shot 22-of-34 (64.7%) in the second half, while doling out 20 total assists and forcing 22 turnovers in the game.

Taye Fields led four Griffons in double figures with 14 points to go with seven rebounds and four steals. Julius Dixon finished with 12 points. Zion Swader had 11 and JaRon Thames had 10 to go with five rebounds and four assists.

The Griffons racked up 34 bench points - all in the second half. Gower native Ethan Kilgore finished with nine points and four rebounds. Josh Book had nine points and seven boards. Matt Schneider finished with six points and seven boards as well.

Missouri Western outrebounded Avila 50-34 and blocked a whopping 11 shots. Avila (2-6) shot just 21.8% from the field Saturday, including just 2-of-15 from three.

Both Missouri Western teams resume MIAA play this Thursday at Rogers State. Tip-off from Bushyhead Fieldhouse in Claremore, Oklahoma is set for 5:30 and 7:30 p.m.

Both games will be on KFEQ Radio (680, 95.3) with coverage starting at 5 p.m.

Will Martin interview

Full audio broadcast

You can follow Tommy on Twitter @TommyKFEQ and St. Joseph Post @StJosephPost.