Springfield, Mo. — Truman State Women's Basketball closed out the holiday week with a split at the Drury Thanksgiving Classic, earning a gritty 66–64 win over Arkansas–Fort Smith on Thursday before falling 96–82 to Missouri Southern on Friday. The Bulldogs move to 2–4 on the season after two high-tempo contests featuring some of their best offensive stretches of the year.

GAME ONE — Truman State 66, Arkansas–Fort Smith 64

Truman opened the tournament with a gritty, defensive-minded win, controlling long stretches of the game before holding off a late UAFS rally.

The Bulldogs established momentum early with balanced scoring from their starting group and a strong presence on the glass, building a 28–18 halftime lead thanks to a 15-point second quarter. Truman's defense forced 11 first-half turnovers and held UAFS to 18 points over the opening 20 minutes.

UAFS surged back in the third quarter, cutting the margin to single digits behind perimeter shooting and transition play, but Truman answered with a 21-point frame of its own. Katelyn Odem, Mariann Blass, and Avery Rausch all contributed timely baskets as the Bulldogs carried a 49–38 lead into the fourth.

The Lions made one final push, trying to run down the Bulldogs in the game in the closing minute. Truman responded with strong defense to bleed away the clock. On UAFS's final possession, Truman forced a contested three that missed, securing the two-point win. Truman finished with a 44–29 rebounding advantage and went 22-for-26 at the line, converting critical free throws to maintain its lead.

GAME TWO — Missouri Southern 96, Truman State 82

Truman matched Missouri Southern stride-for-stride for more than three quarters before the Lions used a late surge to pull away.

The Bulldogs opened with one of their strongest offensive quarters of the season, shooting efficiently and moving the ball to generate clean looks. Blass hit early jumpers, Morgan Miller connected from deep, and Odem finished inside to help Truman take a 22–21 lead after the first.

Missouri Southern responded with a run of three-pointers, but Truman stayed within two possessions behind Odem's perfect first-half shooting and a shot from deep from Rausch, trailing just 40–36 at the break.

The third quarter turned into a shootout. The Bulldogs demonstrated their scoring capabilities from all three levels, but Missouri Southern matched nearly every Bulldog basket with paint scoring and perimeter shooting to edge ahead 68–62 entering the fourth.

The Lions carried that momentum into the final quarter, stretching the lead behind transition scoring and second-chance points. Truman continued to execute offensively with Odem, Blass, Rausch, Miller, and McCallop all reaching double figures, but MSSU's scoring balance proved too much in the closing minutes.The Bulldogs shot a season-best 55.6% from the field and 47.8% from three, but were out-rebounded 36–24.

TEAM STATISTICS

Truman State 66, Arkansas–Fort Smith 64

Shooting: TSU 19–56 FG (.339), 6–21 3PT (.286), 22–26 FT (.846)
Rebounds: TSU 44, UAFS 29
Turnovers: TSU 23, UAFS 21
Points in Paint: TSU 24
Second-Chance Points: TSU 12

Missouri Southern 96, Truman State 82

Shooting: TSU 30–54 FG (.556), 11–23 3PT (.478), 11–15 FT (.733)
Rebounds: MSSU 36, TSU 24
Turnovers: TSU 17, MSSU 12
Fastbreak Points: TSU 9

Up Next:
The Bulldogs will open up GLVC play against Rockhurst this Saturday at 12:00 PM. The Bulldogs faired well against the Hawks last season, winning both matchups by double figures.