39-Point Effort Helps Griffs Down the Loper Women

 Senior guard Mia Morel erupted for 39 points, thanks to seven of eight three-point shooting, to help Missouri Western pull away from Nebraska Kearney, 86-69, Saturday afternoon in St. Joseph.

The Griffons (6-11, 2-6) avenged an eight-point setback to the Lopers (10-9, 3-5) last month and improved to 4-3 at home. Meanwhile, UNK falls to 1-6 on the road.

Standing 5-7, Morel reached her point total by making 13 of 18 shots and 6 of 7 free throws. She also had seven rebounds, six assists and two steals over 36 minutes. Morel is now at a team-best 14.2 points per game on the season.

The Lopers, despite Morel's heroics, were still in the game and got a series of threes from senior Gosia Byczkowska (Poland) and junior Brinly Christensen (Lincoln SW) to almost erase a 10-point third quarter deficit. However, the Griffs were still up 55-54 and then scored the next 10 points. UNK didn't get closer than eight the rest of the way and were minus point guards Jillian Aschoff (Lincoln Pius X) and Saniya Simons (Olathe, Kan.) down the stretch

"We didn't guard the scout. Hopefully we can fix that and move forward," said UNK head coach Drew Johnson. "We did fine (minus some key players). We just didn't do what we needed to defensively. If you're going to give up 86 points, it doesn't matter if it's Jill or Emma (Rowan) off the bench. I know we'll come back ready to fight on Monday.

Mo West shot 54% from the field, was plus six on the glass and took advantage of 19 Loper turnovers. They did make only 9 of 18 free throws with UNK 13 of 33 from behind the arc. The 33 attempts are tied for 10th most in school history.

"It was good to get Gosia rolling again and got a couple (threes) from Brinly which is good too. Happy for those guys and we're going to need them," said Johnson. "In the end, when you score 14 points in the paint, life is hard."

Three other Griffs reached double digits including forward Sydney Lewis (12 points, nine rebounds). Finally, point guard Ana Oliveira Dias had eight assists before fouling out late.

Freshman Myleigh Weers (Diller) paced UNK with 21 points on 7 of 14 shooting. She also had a team-best six rebounds and four assists. Next, Byczkowska had 15 on 5 of 7 triple shooting with Aschoff at 11 points, five assists, and four steals. Finally, Christensen hit two threes in 16 minutes of work.

A four-game home stand begins Thursday night vs. Central Oklahoma (7-10, 2-6).