Two Missouri schools upset at the MIAA women’s tournament, but Southwest Baptist pulls off huge upset in opening round

Three of the four top seeded teams lost in the opening round of the MIAA Women’s Basketball Tournament, which tipped off on campuses on Monday.One of those upsets came from Southwest Baptist University, in Bolivar, Mo.   Central Missouri is the number one seed and Missouri Southern is the third seed.  Those teams received first round byes and will play Thursday as the tournament now moves to Municipal Auditorium in Kansas City.

MIAA Women’s Bracket

Ninth seeded Northeastern State upset eighth seed Northwest Missouri on the road in the opening round of the MIAA Tournament. NSU held NWMSU to just 16 second half points as they advance to the quarterfinals in Kansas City.

For the RiverHawks Fontana Tate led the way scoring 18 points and pulling down 11 rebounds. Chelsey Beathard had 11 points and Che’Ron Lewis pulled down eight rebounds while Carrington Fox pulled down seven boards. For the Bearcats Ashleigh Nelson was the only player in double figures scoring 18 points. Ariel Easton led the way on the glass with eight boards.

Northeastern State advances to face top seeded Central Missouri at 12:00 p.m. on March 6 from Municipal Auditorium in Kansas City, Mo.

Eleventh seeded Southwest Baptist used 52 first half points to propel themselves to an upset win over sixth seed Washburn. SBU hit 12 three-pointers to advance to the quarterfinal round in Kansas City.

For the Bearcats Jacqui Zelenka had a double-double scoring 21 points and pulling down 12 rebounds as Brook Duncan added a game high 23 points. Leann Lansdown, Dilonna Johnson and Mackenzie Skupa each finished with 10 points. For the Ichabods Taylor Ignoto led the way with 21 points and Haley Pfau pulled down eight rebounds. Casyn Buchman had 17 points, Honor Duvall added 13 points and Allyssa Nikkel finished with 10 points.

Southwest Baptist advances to face third seeded Pittsburg State on March 6 at 8:15 p.m. from Municipal Auditorium in Kansas City, Mo.

Tenth seeded Central Oklahoma got seven steals and forced 13 total turnovers as they earned an upset win over seventh seed LIndenwood. UCO shot .467 from the field as they advance to the quarterfinal round in Kansas City,

For the Bronchos Julia Mason led the way scoring 28 points and pulling down six rebounds. Jill Bryan scored 16 points and pulled down six boards as Britney Morgan finished with 14 points. For the Lions Carolnine Bourlioux had a double-double scoring 17 points and adding 11 rebounds. Kassidy Gengenbacher led her team in scoring with 24 points and Morgan Johnson added 16 points.

Central Oklahoma advances to face second seeded Emporia State on March 6 at 6 p.m. from Municipal Auditorium in Kansas City, Mo.

Fifth seed Fort Hays State used a 49 point first half to become the only top seed to win in the first round with a victory over Nebraska-Kearney. FHSU racked up 28 points off of turnover as they move on to the quarterfinal round in Kansas City.

For the Tigers Kate Lehman had a double-double scoring 12 points and pulling down a game high 11 rebounds. Chelsea Mason had 18 points, Beth Bohuslavky finished with 14 points and Katelyn Edwards added 11 points. For the Lopers Laramey Lewis led the way with 16 points and Shelby Zimmerman pulled down 10 rebounds. Amarah Williams had 14 points and Kelsey Fitzgerald finished with 11 points on the night.

Fort Hays State advances to face fourth seeded Missouri Southern at 2:15 p.m. on March 6 from Municipal Auditorium in Kansas City, Mo.Game capsules courtesy of Josh Slaughter at themiaa.com