Missouri Western boxscore in PDF

After coming back from an 11-point deficit to take the lead, the Maryville women's basketball team fell 74-64 in the final game of the Holiday Inn Express Classic to host Missouri Western. The loss spoiled a season-high 24 points from Saints senior Shelby Miller.

The Saints trailed 33-22 with just under five minutes left to play in the first half before closing the gap to 35-33 at the break. Down 45-39, Miller made one free throw, and Rita Flynn converted a layup. A jumper by Flynn pulled the Saints to 45-44 four minutes in. Maryville finally tied the game at 47-47 on a Miller 3-pointer, and later took the lead after two Ali Ringering free throws for a 49-48 edge.

The game was tied two more times before two Miller makes at the free-throw line and a bucket gave the Saints a 56-52 lead just past the midpoint of the second half. The lead would prove to be the largest of the game for Maryville. Carly Frala drained a 3-pointer for a 59-56 advantage before the Griffons went on a 14-2 run to jump back ahead. Miller answered with a 3-pointer to pull the Saints back to within 70-64 with 2:32 to play. However, the Saints hurt themselves with three turnovers and a missed 3-pointer as Missouri Western scored four straight points to hold off Maryville's late charge.

Miller hit four 3-poiniters en route to her best scoring output of the season with 24. Alex Hillyer added 14 points, while Flynn narrowly missed a double-double with nine points and nine rebounds. The Griffons had three players reach double figures in scoring and aided their efforts by grabbing 23 offensive rebounds.

The Saints dip to 2-3 for the year, while Missouri Western upped its record to 5-1. Maryville returns home Saturday, Dec. 6, as it hosts Robert Morris-Springfield in a 5 p.m. tilt.