'Dogs outlasted by Gorillas in 73-68 loss

Despite taking a 13 point lead into the locker room at half time, the Truman State womens basketball team was unable to hold on during the second half and fell 73-68 to the Pittsburg State Gorillas. Junior guard Becka McHenry had a triple double with 14 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists, the first Lady Bulldog to achieve this feat since 1998. 

The Bulldogs, who led by as much as 21 during the first half, only made it to the free throw line six times during the whole game. Despite going 6-for-6 from the stripe, the 'Dogs were outscored by 18 points. Pitt State made it to the line 30 times, something head coach Michael Smith said was the winning difference. 

"We were being passive, we weren't being aggressive," Smith said. "We were being too soft. Pitt State got to the line 30 times, that's massive." 

Junior forward Jennifer Conway led the Bulldogs with 23 points in 29 minutes of action. Smith said he was pleased with the way the 'Dogs played during the first half but that they were beaten by a better team.

"I thought we did everything well in the first half," Smith said. "We played like we're capable of playing. In the second half, we got out played."

The Bulldogs now face Emporia State on Saturday afternoon in Pershing.  The Hornets, who were ranked 17th in this week's national poll, defeated the Bulldogs during Dec. Smith said the 'Dogs need to forget about this loss and come ready to play on Saturday.

The Bulldogs completed a season sweep of Missouri Southern after a 72-53 victory Saturday afternoon in Pershing Arena. The 'Dogs, who never trailed during the entire game, had a 10-point lead at halftime. Smith said this was important because the team had struggled during the second half of games this year.

"First half we went back and forth a little bit, but we took a 10-point lead at half time," Smith said. "That's the area we've been struggling with [the second half] so at half time we talked about what we had to do and how we had to do it."

Following a McHenry basket at the 16-minute mark, the Bulldogs shut down the Lions while extending the lead at the same time. The Lions went scoreless for almost six minutes, which allowed the Bulldogs to turn a nine-point lead into a 21-point advantage with 12 minutes left on the clock. Smith said he was pleased with how the 'Dogs stepped it up in the second half.

"I thought our kids played more dominant in the second half than they did in the first," Smith said.

Junior forward Megan Sharpe said the Bulldogs are starting to work better as a team, allowing them to play the same way they practice when preparing for a game. 

"I think we are transitioning a lot better," Sharpe said. "We're following the game plan better and doing the small things better." 

Senior guard Brie Daniels, who surpassed 11,000 career points with 16 Saturday, said the Dogs are starting to perform like they were at the start of the season. 

"I think we're getting back to the way we were playing before." Daniels said. "Working together and doing the little things better."

Daniels said for the Bulldogs to continue to be successful the rest of the season, they can't let their intensity drop. By putting two halves of a game together, they will be able to achieve the goals they have set. Daniels said being tough mentally and concentrating for the whole game are the most important things for the Bulldogs to do. 

"Don't take a single play off. Do the little things right and that will take us to the next level," Daniels said. 

Now that the Bulldogs are in the second half of the season, Smith said it's important they remember their record is back to 1-0 with the win against the Lions. Smith said  playing with a high level of intensity and concentrating for the whole game will help the Dogs go as far as they want.

"If we come out and play hard, focused and intense, I like our chances in every game we have left," Smith said.