Yellowjackets Fall at Missouri Baptist, 77-62 in Final Road Tilt of Season

ST. LOUIS, Mo. — The Graceland University women's basketball team dropped a 77-62 decision to Missouri Baptist on Saturday afternoon at the Petty SRC . With the loss, Graceland moves to 4-22 overall and 3-14 in Heart of America Athletic Conference play, while Missouri Baptist improves to 11-13 overall and 8-8 in conference.

Graceland has three regular-season games remaining and has been eliminated from postseason contention.

Missouri Baptist shot 49.2 percent (30-of-61) from the field and connected on eight 3-point field goals, while Graceland finished 35.4 percent (23-of-65) from the floor and 2-of-16 from beyond the arc . The Spartans outscored the Yellowjackets 42-30 in the paint and held a 27-10 advantage in bench points .

Brooklyn Davis led Graceland with 20 points and six rebounds, shooting 9-of-19 from the field across 40 minutes . Davis added four steals and was the primary scoring option in the half-court set.

Oliviya Tinoco recorded 12 points and 11 rebounds for a double-double, finishing 4-of-14 from the field and 4-of-6 from the free-throw line . Tinoco added two assists in 40 minutes.

Maxine Ampofo contributed nine points and four rebounds, while Ianara Morbidoni added eight points, connecting on two 3-point field goals in the second quarter.

Graceland trailed 18-13 after the opening quarter before shooting 43.8 percent in the second period to stay within striking distance . Missouri Baptist closed the half on a 3-pointer from Mariana Cubero to take a 38-33 lead into the break.

Missouri Baptist extended its lead in the third quarter, shooting 50 percent from the field in the period . Riley Jansen led the Spartans with 21 points on 9-of-13 shooting , helping push the margin to double digits.

Graceland was limited to 12 points in the fourth quarter and shot 28.6 percent in the final period . The Yellowjackets finished with 21 second-chance points and 21 points off turnovers but were unable to close the gap.

Head Coach Willie Scott emphasized continued focus as the regular season enters its final stretch.

"We have three games left, and our focus has to remain on execution and competing for 40 minutes," Scott said. "Brooklyn Davis and Oliviya Tinoco gave us strong efforts, but we have to improve our efficiency and defensive consistency down the stretch."

Graceland returns to action Wednesday, Feb. 18, at 5:30 p.m. CST when the Yellowjackets host Grand View at the Morden Center in Lamoni, Iowa.

For more information on Graceland women's basketball and all of Graceland athletics, visit GUjackets.com.