Box Score | Season Stats

KIRKSVILLE, Mo. – The Truman women's basketball team got off to a strong start early in the first half that ultimately propelled them to a 79-52 victory over Northwest Missouri State University on Wednesday night in Pershing Arena.
 
The Bulldogs (14-9; 8-9 MIAA) started 8-for-10 from the field in the first six minutes of the half that would lead to their first double-digit lead of the game. Throughout the middle part of the half, Northwest (5-20; 3-14 MIAA) kept the 'Dogs within reach, never allowing the Bulldog lead to grow over nine until the 6:38 mark. A free throw by Jennifer Conway (Waterloo, Ill., Waterloo) and a fast break jumper by freshman Allie Norton (Bloomington, Ill., Central Catholic) would ignite the Bulldog offense back into the double-digit lead.
 
Back-to-back lay-ups by Nicole Gloor (Overland Park, Kan., Blue Valley) and Megan Sharpe (Edwardsville, Ill., Edwardsville) would help give Truman a 15-point advantage at halftime.
 
Truman kept their double-digit lead throughout the second half, never allowing the Bearcats to come within 13 points.
 
With less than five minutes left in the contest, the Truman offense gained more momentum, creating their largest lead of the night of 31 points after a three-pointer by Norton. Truman would finish with a 27 point lead over the Bearcats, marking the largest victory over a conference school this season and the Bulldogs largest margin over Northwest in the 40-year history of the series.
 
Despite the shallow bench for the Bulldogs, Truman would outscore the Bearcats 33-24 from the bench and both teams produced 26 points in the paint. The Bulldog defense stepped up and blocked a season-high eight Bearcat shots.
 
SeniorBreanna Daniels (Ridgedale, Mo., Hollister) led the Bulldogs with 16 points and 10 rebounds. Daniels moved to 10^th on the all-time scoring list, alongside former Bulldog Kelly Kreuser with 1,177 points. Her double-double tonight marked her second in her career, with the previous coming against Lindenwood-Belleville on November 11^th, 2011.
 
Norton would finish with 14 points, 12 of which from beyond the arc. Gloor ended with 12 of her own while Conway and Becka McHenry (Fraser, Mich., Fraser) contributed eight a piece of the 'Dogs 45 rebounds.

Abby Henry led the Bearcats with 16 points while Alexis Boeh added 13 of her own.
 
Tonight's victory guaranteed the Bulldogs a spot in the upcoming MIAA Conference Tournament. The tournament is scheduled for March 1-4, 2012 at Municipal Auditorium in Kansas City, Mo.

The Bulldogs will host Missouri Western State University this upcoming Saturday for the annual Think Pink game. Tip-off is scheduled for 1:00 PM at Pershing Arena.