Owls’ Winning Streak Continues in SLIAC with Overtime Victory
Carlinville, Ill. — Missouri Western University’s women’s basketball team extended its winning streak in the St. Louis Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SLIAC) to three games with a 77-75 overtime victory against Blackburn College on Saturday.
The Owls, who entered the game winless in conference play, improved to 4-10 overall and 3-3 in the SLIAC, climbing from the league cellar to a tie for fourth place. The team’s recent turnaround has been fueled by strong performances from both seniors and freshmen, according to coach Eric Vaughn.
Freshman guard Jakayla Smith, a former New Hope High School player, made the biggest play of the game, stealing the ball with 20 seconds left in overtime and scoring an uncontested layup to seal the win. Smith finished with 10 points, 11 rebounds, two assists, two steals, and two blocked shots — her second double-double of the season.
Senior Conley Langford led the team with 20 points and 14 rebounds, marking her sixth double-double of the season and the 22nd of her career. She also contributed three assists, three steals, and a block. Mia Bowen added 17 points and 13 rebounds, earning her sixth double-double of the season and her 14th straight game with double-figure scoring.
Guard Fantasia Wilson set a school record with nine steals in the game, a feat that followed her setting the program’s assist record with 12 assists in Thursday’s win at Eureka College. Wilson scored 10 points and grabbed six rebounds against Blackburn.
Freshman Rhianna Dinkins, a former West Point High School player, provided key contributions off the bench with eight points and six rebounds in her second game with the team. Coach Vaughn praised Dinkins for her impact, calling her “arguably our MVP off the bench”.
Vaughn summarized the team’s progress, saying, “Just a collective effort. We are finally finding a way to win. It was definitely an ugly win, but it goes down as a ‘W.’” The Owls are set to host Principia College on Thursday, Jan. 15, in a critical conference matchup.
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