Jeff Weseloh (SBU Sports Information) Bolivar, Mo. – The Southwest Baptist University women’s basketball team cruised to an 81-47 victory over Missouri Baptist on Tuesday evening. With the win the Bearcats improve to 4-1 on the season.
The Bearcats opened up the contest on a 5-0 run with a three from Kiana Peterson followed by a layup from Peterson to take the early lead. After four straight points from the Spartans, SBU used a 12-0 run to quickly extend their lead to double-figures. Peterson connected on another three, followed by five straight points from Aliyah Isaac and buckets from Megan Rosenbohm and Caylee Richardson to finish off the run and give SBU a 17-4 lead with 4:38 left in the first quarter. SBU extended their lead to 17 off of a Morgan Henderson, and took a 26-10 lead into the second quarter.
After Missouri Baptist hit a pair of free throws to open up the quarter, SBU used an 8-0 rush to push their lead to 22 at 34-12 with 5:24 left in the half. Rosenbohm led the run off with a fast break layup after a steal from Alex Botkin before Richardson scored 6 straight points. The Bearcats continued to press, and a layup from Bailey Rezabek pushed the Bearcat lead to 26 before SBU went into the break with a 40-19 lead.
SBU opened up the second half with a 10-2 run, and held a 50-21 lead with 5:50 remaining in the third quarter. The Bearcats and Spartans held steady for the remainder of the quarter with SBU leading 58-32 heading into the final quarter of play.
Once again SBU opened up the quarter with a 13-5 run, pushing their lead to a 34 points at 71-37 with 5:07 remaining. SBU and MBU traded baskets for the final five minutes of the contest, and a Taylor Jackson three with 58 seconds left gave SBU their largest lead of the night at 80-45 before the Bearcats went on to claim the 81-47 victory.
Caylee Richardson led the Bearcats with a game high 18 points and a game high 8 rebounds in the victory. Aliyah Isaac added 12 points, while Kiana Peterson and Megan Rosenbohm each had 10 points as the Bearcats shot 58.3% from the field, 30.0% from beyond the arc, and 82.6% from the free throw line.
SBU will return to action on Thursday, December 1 when they host defending NCAA Division II national champion Lubbock Christian. Tip-off is set for 5:30 p.m. from the Meyer Sports Center in Bolivar.
