MSSU women lose 73-62 to Emporia State, despite 20-20 performance by Stokes

(From MSSU Lions Athletic News)

Emporia, Kan. - The Missouri Southern women's basketball team's comeback attempt fell short and Madi Stokes had a historic game today but the Lions fell today inside White Auditorium against Emporia State 73-62.

Southern (4-6, 4-6 MIAA) was led offensively by Madi Stokes who finished with a season-high 21 points and career-high 22 rebounds (10 offensive), her third double-double of the season. Carley Turnbull chipped in with 11 points. 

Megan Jackson had seven points and a career-high six rebounds to go along with a team-high three assists.

Stokes' 20-20 performance is the first since Marie Scott did the feat against Missouri Valley (Nov. 24, 1995). Scott finished with 24 points and 22 rebounds in the 81-71 win. The 22 rebounds is tied for the second-most in a single game in MSSU history.

Emporia State (5-2, 5-2 MIAA) was led offensively by Fredricka Sheats with a career-high 19 points shooting 5-of-6 from deep. Ehlaina Hartman had a career-high 17 points off the bench, and Karsen Schultz had 15 points.

Southern got out to a four-point lead (6-2) with 8:03 remaining after a Stokes layup. Emporia State responded with three-straight from deep to reclaim the lead. Hailey Grant's three cut the Hornet lead to two (17-15) with 2:35 left in the quarter following a Zoe Campbell kick-out.

The second quarter belonged to the Hornets as they opened on an 11-0 run before Amaya Johns got on the board with a layup to cut the deficit to fourteen (33-19). Southern ended the quarter on a 6-3 run to trim the Hornet lead to thirteen (40-27).

Southern went on a four-minute 9-0 run, trimming the Hornets' lead to ten (49-39) with 2:46 remaining after Stokes hit a layup from a Jackson assist. Stokes cut the deficit to ten (53-43) with 30 seconds remaining.

Johns got the deficit to six (55-49) with 8:57 remaining in the fourth after an and-one. Emporia State responded with an 11-4 run to stretch the lead to 13 and never gave up that lead.

The Lions won the rebound battle 50-30, 21-9 offensively and had the advantage in second chance points 22-7.

Up next for Southern is Fort Hays State in Joplin on Jan. 21. Tip-off from Leggett & Platt Athletic Center is set for 5:30 pm.