by Jonah Fabian
Wichita, Kan. – The Missouri Southern Women’s Basketball team opened up their 2023-24 season with an exhibition game against the NCAA Division-I Shockers of Wichita State University in Charles Koch Arena.
The Lions jumped out to a quick 11-2 lead halfway through the first quarter off a quick five points from Kryslyn Jones. The defense started strong for the Lions as they forced the Shockers to shoot 6-19 from the field in the first quarter, and went into the second quarter with a 20-15 lead over the division-I opponent.
Ryan Franklin began to establish her dominance in the paint for the Lions in the second quarter, putting up 8 points, 4 rebounds and a block in six minutes before being subbed. The Shockers picked things up offensively right before the half, going on a 9-3 run in the last four minutes of the quarter and taking a 37-33 lead over the Lions.
Kryslyn Jones led a 12-8 run for the Lions that tied the game with 5:20 in the third quarter at 45-45, scoring 10 of the 12 total points in the third for the Lions. The Shockers took over defensively, not allowing the Lions to score in the remaining 5:20 of the third quarter and went into the fourth quarter with a 55-45 lead over MSSU.
The Shockers jumped out in the fourth quarter with a 8-0 run, giving Wichita State a 18 point lead with only 7:40 remaining in the game. Kryslyn Jones, Kaitlin Hunnicutt and Ryan Franklin combined for 13 of the Lions 20 points in the fourth quarter, but it was not enough as the Lions ultimately fell to the Shockers, 75-65.
Kryslyn Jones led the Lions in scoring with 23 points, six rebounds and three steals. Ryan Franklin ended the game one rebound short of a double-double with 14 points, nine rebounds and three blocks. The Lions finished the game shooting 25-59 (42.4%) from the field and won the second chance points battle with 17 points compared to the Shockers 12.
The MSSU Women’s Basketball team will begin their regular season in Emporia, Kansas for the MIAA/GAC Crossover as they will take on Harding University on November 10th at 1:00 PM in White Auditorium.
