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Central Missouri Downs Missouri Southern, 77-67
By David Boyce
The first few minutes of the second half, Central Missouri beat Missouri Southern.
The Lions stayed in striking distance, but they never could overcome the 11-point deficit that Central Missouri dug for them.
Central Missouri went on to win 77-67 Thursday night in the quarterfinals of the MIAA Women's Basketball Tournament.
"I thought we played about as well as we've played, particularly in the second half," Central Missouri coach Dave Slifer said. "You got to tip your hat to Missouri Southern. They played a very spirited game and caused us a lot of problems. We were very fortunate to be up by three at halftime because I felt they were the more aggressive team.
"But I loved the way we played in the second half."
For the Jennies it was a bit of revenge. Last year, Missouri Southern knocked out Central Missouri in the first round.
"It feels awesome to get to stay here and experience the whole conference tournament and not just go home the first night," said Central Missouri junior Kara Fleming.
The Jennies, 18-10, will face Emporia State at 2:15 p.m. Saturday in the semifinals.
"The thing about Emporia is you always have to come in ready to play," Meghan Waggoner said. "They are good and have some good players. They have the player of the year on their team. You have to come in and be confident."
In the first half, each team had brief spurts, but it was the Jennies' ability to make 6-of-11 three-pointers that allowed them to take a slim 34-31 lead into halftime.
Fleming had the hot hand, making three treys in four
attempts.
Fleming scored 13 points in the first half, and she was far from
done.
Central Missouri wasted little time building on its lead, scoring six of the first seven points for a 40-32 lead.
"I just felt if we kept our momentum like we did in the first half, we would have been OK in the second half," said Missouri Southern senior Jolea Apon. "But we didn't come out like that. Everybody didn't have their mind set to score. There were only a few of us that did. That will kill a team and obviously it did us."
A minute later, Central Missouri's lead grew to 45-34. Missouri Southern never recovered.
"You have to give Central Missouri a lot of credit, especially in the second half," Missouri Southern coach Maryann Mitts said. "They did a tremendous job of executing. Anytime we tried to make a run or make a play they always had an answer."
Fleming continued her scoring ways throughout the second half and finished with 26 points.
"I know how they play me," Fleming said. "They always force me left. I knew what was going to be open for me and I took advantage of it."
Fleming had an equal on Missouri Southern. Apon was knocking down deep three-pointers. Like Fleming, she had three treys in the first half and continued firing bombs in the second half.
One of her three-pointers made it 67-57 with 4:21 left. Central Missouri quickly answered with two free throws by Fleming 21 seconds later.
Apon was firing away until the last seconds. She drained two three-pointers in the final minute and finished with a MIAA Tournament-record eight three-pointers and a game-high 28 points.
To reach David Boyce, contributing writer for the MIAA, e-mail dboyce@themiaa.com.
