HANNIBAL, Mo. – For the second time in as many days, the Missouri Baptist University women's basketball team held its opponent under 40 points and won with ease. The Spartans remain undefeated in away games this year (7-0) as they took down Hannibal-LaGrange on the road, 71-38.
The win moves Missouri Baptist to 12-5, 8-3 AMC and one step closer to securing home court advantage for the American Midwest Conference Quarterfinals as a top-four seed. On the flip side, Hannibal-LaGrange is still in search of its first league win at 1-18, 0-13 AMC.
All 12 Spartans saw significant minutes in Friday's contest, which will certainly come in handy on Saturday when the team embarks on its fourth game in a five-day span.
Following a slow start to the game and just a three-point lead after one quarter of play, Missouri Baptist had its way with the Trojans. The Spartans nearly doubled HLGU's output in each period outscoring the home team 21-10 in the second, 24-13 in the third and 17-9 in the fourth.
Leading the team in minutes played with 26, MBU's floor general
Taylor Norris also paced the team in points (23), FGM (8), FTM (5) and assists (4). It marked the fourth time in five games, and seventh time this season that the sophomore guard eclipsed 20 points.
Joining Norris in double figures was
Tionne Taylor, who hit a trio of 3-point field goals and finished the game with 14 points, 2 steals and 2 rebounds in 20 minutes of action.
Center
Joelle Atkins continues to solidify her case as one of the top defenders in the conference as she now leads the AMC in total rebounds and rebounds per game. On Friday, the 6-foot senior pulled down 14 caroms (4 O, 10 D) to bring her total for the week to 53 (17.66 rpg). She also added 3 points, 2 blocks, 2 steals and an assist to her final line.
Other notable performances included Vinnié Winters with a career-high 7 rebounds and 4 points,
Sara Hermosa with 6 points, 4 rebounds and 2 steals, and
Caroline Rogers with 5 points and 4 rebounds in 11 minutes.
The marathon week continues tomorrow with a 1 p.m. tilt at home with Central Baptist College (8-4, 3-4 AMC).
