Point Lookout, MO - Ranked number three in the latest NCCAA national poll, the College of the Ozarks Lady Bobcats returned home to Keeter Gymnasium Wednesday after a tough road trip to the Dakota State Classic over the weekend. Facing the Fighting Bees of St. Ambrose University, The Lady Cats were looking to continue their winning ways.

Wasting no time setting the tone in the contest, the Lady Cats jumped out to an early lead. Coming off a career weekend, Kayley Frank led the way in the opening minutes and NAIA rebounding leader, Susie Moran, took her turn as well. Blythe Benefield and Logan Jones joined the fun and with time winding down in the quarter, the Lady Cats led 16-8. Frank continued to put points on the board and the Lady Cats closed the opening frame leading 19-11.

The second quarter started much the same as Logan Jones opened the scoring. SAU was not ready to give in however, and a three at the 8:09 mark cut the lead to 23-14. A Kayley Frank foul at the 6:49 mark sent her to the bench with three, and the Fighting Bees were looking to capitalize. A Bees basket cut into the lead and the Lady Cats were in the middle of a small scoring drought. Susie Moran broke the silence and built the lead back to a nine-point cushion. Logan Jones connected from deep to bump the advantage to double digits, but the Bees quickly answered. Abbey Linville broke into the scoring column at the 1:50 mark and the Lady Cats held a 30-20 lead. A Bees three with just under a minute remaining cut the lead to 30-23 and a turnover allowed another three by the visitors. The Lady Cats were unable to score as time expired and the Lady Cats took a 30-26 advantage into the intermission.

The Fighting Bees came out attacking in the opening minutes of the third quarter and they were able to offset baskets by Frank and Jones and the score was soon knotted at 36. Susie Moran and Kayley Frank scored to put the Lady Cats back on top, but the tug of war was on in full force. Moran connected on back-to-back trips and the lead climbed back to eight, 44-36. A deep three by Logan Jones with 3:20 left added to the advantage and the Lady Cats were looking to take complete control. Turning up the defense, the Lady Cats shut down the offensive attack of the Bees and points were nowhere to be found. The Bees broke through at the 2:10 mark to cut the lead to 48-38.  Blythe Benefield scored off the dribble to boost the advantage and Abbey Linville drained a pair of free throws, followed by a deep trey, and the Lady Cats took a 55-38 lead to the quarter break.

With the defense doing the job in the third quarter, the Lady Cats were 10 minutes from win number eight on the season. A quick basket by the Bees cut into the lead, but a Susie Moran bucket was followed by a Frank two and the Lady Cats were pulling away. A Frank to Moran pass for a basket bumped the score to 61-40 and the Fighting Bees took a much-needed timeout. A Keara Mattingley assist to Logan Jones was followed by another Jones two out of the huddle, and the Lady Cats were putting the game well out of reach for the visitors. The defense continued to hold down the Bees and with 4:22 left to play, the Lady Cat lead had grown to 67-43. Jada Henry jumped in the scoring column to boost the lead, and the Lady Cats were looking to keep the clock running. Mattingley scored her first two points of the game on a spin move and a scoop to the basket and the lead was 71-47 with under two minutes to play. A couple of quick baskets by the Bees cut the gap to 71-52 with time winding down. Abbey Linville responded and drained one from long range to cap the scoring and the Lady Cats took the win 74-52.

Logan Jones led the scoring attack with 21 points, Kayley Frank added 19, and Susie Moran recorded yet another double-double with 16 points and 12 rebounds. Abbey Linville chipped in 10 points, Blythe Benefield added four, and Jada Henry and Keara Mattingley each tacked on two.

The Lady Cats return to Keeter Gym this Saturday for a 1 PM matchup with Missouri Baptist University.