From staff reports

sports@joplinglobe.com

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. — Guard Yanique Javois and center Jill Johnson — two seniors playing in their final home game — combined for 45 points to fuel Missouri Western past Missouri Southern 70-58 Saturday night at the MWSU Fieldhouse.

Despite the loss, the Lions (18-9, 9-9 MIAA) will be the fourth seed in the MIAA Postseason Tournament because Northwest Missouri State lost at Fort Hays State.

The Lions and Bearcats meet in a first-round game at 2:15 p.m. Thursday at Municipal Auditorium in Kansas City, Mo.

The Griffons (12-14, 7-11) needed the victory to make the tournament. Javois led the way with 26 points, hitting 10-of-14 shots form the floor, and Johnson contributed 19.

“Their seniors played great in a pressure game,” Lions head coach Maryann Mitts said. “They hit the majority of their shots. They didn’t look like they were afraid to get a win tonight. They were determined.”

The Lions got off to a good start, opening a 22-15 lead with 7:44 remaining in the first half. But during the next five minutes, the Griffons ran off 14 unanswered points and never relinquished the lead.

“Turnovers (26) really hurt us,” Mitts said. “We got into early foul trouble. Those are the two biggest things that hurt you on the road. We got into foul trouble on the post, and India (Wood, point guard) picked up two quick fouls.”

Wood paced the Lions with 15 points, and Fatai Hala’Api’Api added 10. Tynesha Pierce collected eight opints, nine rebounds and six steals in 25 minutes.