by Jonah Fabian
Joplin, Mo. – The Missouri Southern Women’s Basketball hosted the Ichabods of Washburn University to begin the final week of the 2023-24 regular season. A dominant second quarter paved the way for the Lions to get their 20th win of the season with a 66-51 victory over the Ichabods. The Lions advance to 20-7 (16-5 MIAA) on the season.
The Lions defense was in full effect from the jump, forcing four Ichabod turnovers and only allowing them to convert two field goals in the first six minutes of play. The Lions struggled on offense early, but found a rhythm quickly and used a 7-0 run to take a 12-4 lead with 3:33 remaining in the first. The Ichabods had a quick return, going on a 7-0 run of themselves over the next minute to narrow the Lions lead to 12-11. Ryan Franklin finished out the quarter with two unanswered jumpers to give the Lions a 16-11 lead after the first quarter. Franklin’s four points (2-4 FG) led the Lions in the first quarter.
Both teams were trading baskets to begin the second quarter until the Lions caught fire and went on an 11-0 run led by Kryslyn Jones and Brandi Hudson to take a 29-16 lead with 4:02 remaining. The Lions continued to control the floor on both ends, scoring another six points before the half and only allowing the Ichabods to convert four field goals the entire quarter. The Lions went into the halftime locker room with a 35-22 lead. The Lions held a huge rebound advantage through the second quarter, 11-5. Ryan Franklin continued to lead the Lions in scoring with 12 points (6-11 FG) and three rebounds.
Kaitlin Hunnicutt and Kryslyn Jones were on fire to begin the second half, scoring the Lions first 11 points with a three and a jumper by Hunnicutt that was followed by two consecutive threes from Jones. Despite the scoring from the Lions, the Ichabods were matching the Lions offensive output with 11 points of their own in the same four minute stretch. Both teams had matched the other as the Lions continued to lead by 13 after the media timeout at 4:46, 48-35. It was a slow finish by both teams to the buzzer as the Lions held a 52-38 lead going into the final quarter.
The trading of buckets continued into the fourth quarter as the Lions maintained a 14 point lead with 5:30 remaining, 62-48. The Lions had a rough time controlling the ball in the first half of the fourth, turning the ball over three times and allowing the Ichabods to narrow their deficit to 64-51 with 3:13 to play. The Lions defense closed out the game not allowing another point for Washburn as the Lions won 66-51.
Three Lions finished in double-digits in the win. Kryslyn Jones led the Lions with 19 points (6-12 FG, 5-7 3P) and six rebounds. Ryan Franklin finished with 18 points (9-16 FG), eight rebounds and two blocks. Kaitlin Hunnicutt rounded out the double-digit scoring with 12 points (4-10 FG, 2-7 3P), three rebounds, two assists and two blocks. The Lions held a 43-30 rebound advantage while shooting 36.4 percent from three in the win.
