By Jim Henry
jhenry@joplinglobe.com
Jolea Apon flashed a big grin as she turned around and retreated to play defense.
Missouri Southern freshman Erin Rice blocked a shot, retrieved the ball and dribbled up the right side of the floor. As Rice approached the lane, she stopped and turned to toss the ball to Apon beyond the 3-point arc on the right wing.
Apon’s shot hit nothing but net — her eighth 3-pointer of the first half — en route to a career-high 35 points and a record-setting shooting peformance as the Lions decked Missouri Western 87-64 Saturday night at the Leggett & Platt Athletic Center..
Apon, 5-foot-8 senior from Springdale, Ark, drilled 11-of-19 3-point attempts to break the Missouri Southern single-game record of nine treys by Sonya Harlin against Pittsburg State in the 1993-94 season opener.
The 11 treys also tied the MIAA record shared by Laura Satterfield of Missouri-St. Louis against Tampa in 1994 and Jenni Miller of Pittsburg State against Truman State in 1995.
“In shootaround this morning I felt really good,” said Apon, whose previous bests were eight treys and 28 points, both against Truman State two months ago. “I felt really good. I feel good usually but this was a special day, not only for me and our team but for people who have fought and won breast cancer and people who have lost someone from breast cancer. It was just an awesome feeling.”
Apon tied the Lions’ record with a basket from the left wing midway through the second half, giving the Lions a 69-40 cushion. She missed her next two attempts before hitting her final two shots from almost the same spot on the right wing in front of the Lions’ bench. Apon received a standing ovation as she left the game in the final minute.
“She just did a great job, and her teammates did a fantastic job of getting her the basketball and recognizing that she had a hot hand,” Lions head coach Maryann Mitts said. “The screens that were set for her were very good and very solid.
“I’m proud of Jolea. I told her there have been some outstanding 3-point shooters who have played here, and for her to break the record is something really special.”
Apon nailed 8-of-11 3-point attempts while scoring 26 first-half points as the Lions built a 46-30 halftime lead.
Apon scored 23 points — seven treys and two free throws — during a 26-10 burst over a 12-minute span that saw the Lions turn a 13-12 deficit into a 38-23 advantage with 2:53 left in the half. Her final bucket of the half was set up by Rice’s block and assist.
“That was the best thing,” Apon said. “ ‘E’ and I work very well together, not only on the court but we’re really close off the court. We know how each other works. I was yelling ‘I’m behind you,’ and she knew it.
“I knew I was hitting some shots. I had no clue that I had eight in the first half. I was in the zone. I was too worried and focused about winning. I had no idea.”
“That’s a dream night for her obviously,” Griffons head coach Lynn Plett said. “My hat is off to her. ... And we didn’t respond at all. When she’s 8-of-11 in the first half, it doesn’t get much more obvious on what you need to do defensively, and we didn’t respond very well.”
The Lions (12-9, 6-8 MIAA) also did damage inside as Michelle Hedgecock and Rice tallied 13 points apiece. Hedgecock’s nine rebounds led the Lions to a 41-28 rebonding advantage, and 17 offensive rebounds led to 20 second-half points.
The Lions shot 48 percent from the field, and they made assists on 24 of their 32 field goals.
“Our decision making was so much better,” Mitts said. “We shared the basketball. We worked together as a team. We didn’t seem rattled. We executed the game plan and were able to have fun tonight.
“We got the ball inside. I thought our post players did a nice job of going post-to-post with their passes.”
Jessica Koch topped the Griffons (7-15, 5-10) with 20 points, and Brenna Saline had 12. Lauren Nolke, the Griffons’ second-leading scorer at 9.3 points per game, did not score in 19 minutes and left the game with a knee injury early in the second half.
The Lions have another home game Wednesday night against Pittsburg State.
