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SPRINGFIELD – The Missouri State Lady Bears improved to 5-2 on the season with an 81-26 over the William Jewell Cardinals (0-6) here on Friday night.
MSU continued its success, especially on the defensive end, as the Lady Bears returned to JQH Arena for the first time since November 14.
The Lady Bears got off to a fast start against the Cardinals, scoring 13 straight points to begin the game. MSU did not allow a William Jewell point until 5:35 remained in the first quarter, and the Cardinals’ first field goal of the night came with just 1:51 remaining in the opening quarter.
Seven different Lady Bears recorded a basket in the first quarter to give MSU a 21-7 lead after the first 10 minutes.
MSU began the second quarter on a 9-0 run with all nine points coming courtesy of Jasmine Franklin and Sydney Wilson. The Lady Bear defense continued to stifle the Cardinals offense, allowing just five points in the second quarter on 2-of-15 shooting by William Jewell.
Missouri State held William Jewell to 14 percent shooting in the first half and took a 41-12 lead into the locker room at the half. Wilson led all scorers at the break with nine points on 4-for-7 shooting from the field to pair with three rebounds.
In the second half, the Lady Bears continued to dominate and were able to use their depth, as eight different players scored five or more points in the game.
After a closer third quarter, in which the Lady Bears outscored the Cardinals 19-12, MSU doubled down on its defensive efforts and allowed just two points on one William Jewell field goal in the final quarter. The Lady Bears finished the game on a 6-0 run to secure a 55-point victory in their return to JQH Arena.
Wilson led all scorers with her second consecutive 19-point performance on 67 percent shooting from the field to go along with a season-high eight rebounds and three steals. Franklin recorded her sixth double-double in seven games to begin the 2021-22 season with a 12-point, 11-rebound performance in just 17 minutes on the floor. Fifth-year senior Abi Jackson recorded her first career double-double by dropping 12 points and a career-high 10 rebounds.
The Lady Bears outrebounded the Cardinals 59-28 for a +31 rebounding margin, which is tied for the sixth-largest single-game rebounding margin in program history. MSU’s 59 rebounds against William Jewell were the ninth-most rebounds collected in a single game. Missouri State also held the Cardinals to 18 percent (9-of-51) shooting from the field for 26 points, which is tied for the fifth-fewest points allowed in Lady Bear history.
Missouri State will travel to South Dakota State to close out the road portion of non-conference play on Monday, December 6. First tip against the Jackrabbits is set for 7 p.m.
