[Women's Basketball] Women's Basketball Falcons drop non-conference tilt at College of the Ozarks

Point Lookout, Mo. – The College of the Ozarks Lady Cats turned away the Friends University Falcons 64-47 on New Year's Eve today (Dec. 31) in Point Lookout, Mo.

The Falcons scored the first four points of the game and led 6-2, but the Lady Cats took charge from there with a 10-0 burst to lead by six.

After five straight points from McKenzie Shippy (SR/Woodbine, Kan. ) pulled the Falcons within one, Katie Mayes hit a three to help the Lady Cats answer with the final five points of the first period to again lead by six at 17-11.

College of the Ozarks continued to create separation in the second quarter and built a 16-point edge of 31-15, but Shippy fought back with seven straight points to cut the deficit to 31-22 at the break.

With the Lady Cats' lead still at nine following a trey by Bridget Busbee (SR/Grand Prairie, Texas) at the 2:59 mark of the third quarter, College of the Ozarks clamped down and held the Falcons scoreless for the remainder of the period and stretched the lead up to 44-31 heading to the fourth.

A three by Gracie Sammons (SR/Aubrey, Texas) and a bucket from Ashlyn Ryall (SO/Friendswood, Texas) opened the fourth quarter and brought the Falcons within eight, but the Lady Cats pushed back once again with five straight to expand their lead back to 13.

The Lady Cats maintained control from that point, with the Falcons clawing within single-digits one final time at 49-40 with 6:45 remaining.

A score from Taylor Rush would push the lead back to 11 and College of the Ozarks continued to pull away from there, with the final 17-point margin tying for the biggest lead of the game for the Lady Cats.

Shippy continued her solid scoring output with a game-high 19 points for the Falcons (9-5). Taylor Jackson (SO/Houston, Texas) and Kassie Kinniburgh (JR/Valley Center, Kan.) each produced eight rebounds, with Jackson also swatting a pair of shots for Friends.  

Kayley Frank paced the Lady Cats (10-5) with 17 points, while Rush and Jordan Wersinger each added 16. Annie Noah powered College of the Ozarks with 17 rebounds.

The Falcons will next resume KCAC action Wednesday evening (Jan. 4) at York University. Tip-off is set for 6 pm in York, Neb.