For the first time since restarting its women’s basketball program in 2018-19, the Mississippi University for Women took on a foe from the St. Louis Intercollegiate Athletic Conference, its future conference home.
Unfortunately for the Owls, the introduction did not go as they had hoped, as Fontbonne University raced to a 29-10 lead after one quarter and cruised to a 90-53 win on Sunday in St. Louis.
The W had no answer for the inside game of the Griffins, who outscored the Owls 4-18 in the paint and had a 37-27 edge on the glass. While neither team avoided the turnover bug (The W had 20, Fontbonne 19), Fontbonne held a 28-12 edge in points off turnovers.
The W’s depth also proved to be an issue, as coach Drew Johnson had just three available substitutes, who combined for a single point. Meanwhile, the Griffins’ reserves contributed 18 points.
Senior Rokila Wallace continued to shine for The W, totaling a team-leading 22 points and 8 rebounds while going 9 of 11 from the free throw line. Wallace has reached double-figure scoring in each of the Owls’ nine games, topping 20 points five times.
Junior MG Chamberlain added 14 points for the Owls.
The W had a rough shooting day, hitting on just 27.9 percent of field goals including a dreadful 4 of 24 from 3-point range. They did hit 15 of 19 free throws..
Rylee Stafford led the Griffins with 37 points, including a 7-for-13 performance from beyond the arc. She also became Fontbonne’s all-time leader in 3-point field goals made with 234. Kourtney White posted a triple-double with 19 points, 18 rebounds and 10 assists for the Griffins.
A busy week ahead for the Owls (1-8) will see them next travel to Georgia to face LaGrange College at 2 p.m. Tuesday followed by games Thursday and Friday against Hendrix College in Conway, Arkansas.
The W is slated to join the SLIAC in 2023-24, once it completes its transition to full NCAA Division III status.
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