KANSAS CITY, Mo. – The 2025 MIAA Basketball Championships tipped off Wednesday, March 5, in Kansas City’s historic Municipal Auditorium. Moving onto Thursday’s quarterfinal contests is the Missouri Southern Lions and Central Missouri Jennies.
GAME ONE: No. 9 Missouri Southern 59, No. 8 Northwest Missouri 50 (Box Score)
Kicking off the second half of opening day was No. 9 seed Missouri Southern taking down No. 8 seed Northwest Missouri, 59-50. The Lions secured the victory behind 46.4 field shooting (26-for-56) as the Bearcats went 36.4 percent (20-for-55). Both squads recorded 34 rebounds in the contest.
The duo of Ryan Franklin and Mackenzie Hart were the only Lions to finish in double figures as they combined for 40 points. Franklin led all scorers with 28 points and pulled down six boards while Hart’s statline consisted of 15 points, five rebounds, four assists and three steals.
Molly Hartnett had a Bearcat high 16 points and seven rebounds as Kelsey Fields notched 10 points and 11 rebounds for a double-double in the loss.
The Lions will face the top-seeded Pittsburg State Gorillas in quarterfinal action beginning at 6 p.m. on Thursday, March 6.
GAME TWO: No. 7 Central Missouri, No. 10 Emporia State (Box Score)
In the final game of the day, No. 7 seed Central Missouri battled No. 10 seed Emporia State to a 70-59 victory. The Jennies posted a shooting mark of 41.3 percent (26-for-63) while the Hornets went 31.1 percent (19-for-61) from the field. It was a high rebounding game on both ends as UCM tallied 43 and ESU finished with 40.
The Jennies yielded two double-doubles courtesy of Reese Schaaf (25 points, 13 rebounds) and Lauren Frost (14 points, 10 assists) in its win.
The Hornets were led by Gracie Gilpin 17 points and was followed by 12 apiece by Katie Horyna and Jayla Cornelius.
The Jennies return to action tomorrow evening at 8:15 p.m. to take on No. 2 seed Fort Hays State.
To view today’s first-round results and check out tomorrow’s quarterfinal schedule, visit the
Championship Central page.
