From staff reports
sports@joplinglobe.com
EMPORIA, Kan. — Four players scored in double figures as Missouri Southern rolled to a 79-43 victory over Evangel on Friday night in the Emporia State Tip-Off Classic at White Auditorium.
But it was the Lions’ defense which impressed coach Maryann Mitts.
“Our defensive intensity was improved (over an opening loss at Northeastern State),” Mitts said. “I think all our energy was focused on team defense and it really generated some momentum in the first half.”
The Lions scored the game’s first two baskets on layups by Jasmine Lovejoy and Randi Henderson, then never allowed Evangel to catch up. The margin grew to double figures midway through the first half and reached 25 points (43-18) late in the first half.
“We improved on the little things,” Mitts said. “We hit our free throws (20 of 23), we outrebounded them (45-23). We shared the basketball better (16 assists). The things we have been focusing on improved greatly. We played a lot better.”
Lovejoy, a 5-foot-8 junior transfer, and Jolea Apon, a 5-8 senior, scored 13 points each to pace the Lions. Lovejoy hit 4 of 6 shots from the field and 5 of 8 free throws.
Michelle Hedgecock, 5-10 sophomore, scored 12 points and Henderson, senior point guard, added 11. Afton Baldwin, junior transfer from Nevada and Crowder College, scored nine points in 15 minutes and LaTice Jones came off the bench to add eight points.
Erin Rice, 6-2 freshman, led the Lions with nine rebounds and Hedgecock grabbed seven. Lovejoy had three of Southern’s 10 steals.
Evangel, which lost for the first time in five games, received 11 points from Kelsie Hargus and eight from Luko Ashlee. Kara Blankenship led the Crusaders with six rebounds.
The Lions led 43-19 at halftime. Evangel got no closer than 22 points, at 51-29, after intermission. Southern’s largest lead was 36 points, the final score, on a Jones layup in the final minute.
The defense which excited Mitts? Evangel was limited to 10-of-44 shooting (22.7 percent) and hit just 2 of 17 shots from 3-point range.
Southern will play Eastern New Mexico at 5:30 p.m. today in the classic.
“This time of year, (Southern’s focus) is more about us than about who we’re playing,” Mitts said.
