Nov. 14, 2008

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CAPE GIRARDEAU, MO (Friday, November 14, 2008) – In a game that featured eight ties and eight lead changes it was the team who had the last run that came away with the victory. Fortunately that team was the Redhawks who kept chipping away at the Missouri State lead and won 67-64 in the two team’s season opener at the Show Me Center on Friday evening. The win extended the Redhawks home opener winning streak to nine games and snapped a three-game losing streak to their in-state rival.

The Bears (0-1) erased a six-point halftime deficit and lead by as much as six points in the second half and held the advantage until the a pair of Crysta Glenn free throws gave the Redhawks (1-0) a one point lead, 63-62. The Bears answered with Lacey Bosche lay-up with 1:33 remaining to regain the lead.

The Redhawks went to their hot-hand in Glenn who earlier hit a key three-pointer (her tenth of her career) that capped a crucial Redhawks run. Glenn was fed in the post but immediately faced a Bears double-team. She found an open Rachel Blunt who nailed an 18-footer over a Bears defender to give the Redhawks the lead.

On the ensuing play the Bears wasted nearly 25 seconds off the clock before Jasmine Gibson was forced into taking an awkward shot that bounced off the side of the rim. Glenn picked up the loose ball and immediately passed it to Sonya Daugherty who got fouled. Facing a one-and-one she calmly nailed both to give the Redhawks a three-point advantage with 18 seconds remaining.

The Bears had two possessions in the final 18 seconds but could not find an open three-point look thanks to the stifling Redhawks defense. Their last attempt, a Casey Garrison three, came up short as the buzzer sounded giving the Redhawks only their second victory all-time against their rivals.

The first half started even as both teams matched each others buckets until the Bears went on a 8-1 run to grab a 17-9 lead. That lead quickly ballooned to a game-high nine points when Jaleshia Roberson nailed a three for a 22-13 advantage.

A 6-0 Redhawks run cut the lead to four points and would eventually grabbed their first lead since the 17:14 mark on a Lauren Sharpe lay-up, 26-25. That lead would quickly become seven points as a 7-0 Redhawks run gave them their largest lead of the game, 36-29 with 1:08 left in the first half.

The Redhawks were led by Glenn’s perfect game. She hit every shot she attempted (5-5 from the field, 8-8 from the free throw line) for a career-high 19 points. She also added a game-high 11 rebounds for her fourth double-double of her career. Glenn added a career-high three assists and blocked one shot. Nine of her points came in the final five minutes.

Daugherty chipped in 15 points and tied a career-high with six assists. Seven of her points came from the charity stripe as she attacked the Bears interior defense time and time again.

Sophomore Lauren Sharpe, making just her third career start, set a new career-high with 12 points and recorded an amazing seven thefts, a new career-best. Her six rebounds (four offensive) also set a new personal best. Nine of her points came in the first half as she went 4-5 from the floor.

Blunt also added 12 points and six rebounds.

The Redhawks won the battle of the boards 43-33 with 15 of their rebounds coming on the offensive end. That led to a 15-8 advantage in second-chance points. The Redhawks shot 42-percent from the field (46-percent in the first half) and held the Bears 37-percent.

The Bears bench outscored the Redhawks 25-4 thanks in part to Roberson’s team-high 13 points. Tiffany Coppage had 12 and Maggie Dwyer 11 to round out the Bears top scorers. Garrison had a team-high nine rebounds.

The Redhawks improved to 16-4 in home openers at the Show Me Center.

The Redhawks continue their homestand on Tuesday, November 18 as they host Central Arkansas at 7:00 p.m.