(BOWLING GREEN, Ky.) – The top-ranked and first-seeded Thomas More University women's basketball team defeated fifth-seeded Shawnee State University, 57-47, today (Monday, March 1, 2021) in the semifinal round of the Mid-South Conference Championship at Studle Financial Arena in Bowling Green, Kentucky.
- Neither team led by as many as five in the first half as Shawnee State led 11-8 after one quarter and Thomas More led 25-21 at halftime.
- Thomas More shot 27.8 percent (10-of-36) from the field in the first half, while holding Shawnee State to 29 percent (nine-of-31) from the field.
- Sophomore guard Zoie Barth (Fort Thomas, Ky./Highlands) scored seven points and had two rebounds in the first half.
- Sophomore guard Emily Simon (Hilliard, Ohio/Hilliard Davidson) added seven points and three rebounds.
- Thomas More opened the third quarter on a 15-8 run to take 40-29 lead with 2:54 to play in the quarter when sophomore guard Courtney Hurst (Burlington, Ky./Conner) converted an old fashion three-point play.
- The Bears closed out the quarter on a 4-1 run to cut the Saints' lead to 41-33 after three quarters.
- Senior guard Briana McNutt (Maysville, Ky./Mason County) made two free-throws with 8:16 to play in the fourth quarter to give Thomas More a 44-33 lead.
- That would be as close as Shawnee State would come as the Saints closed out the game on a xx run to post the 57-47 win.
- Hurst had 11 points in the second half.
- McNutt had nine points and eight rebounds.
- Barth added eight points in the final 20 minutes.
- Thomas More improves to 24-1 on the season.
- The Bears fall to 18-8.
- Thomas More out-scored Shawnee State 13-2 off turnovers.
- McNutt was named the Player of the game as she recorded a double-double with 13 points and 10 rebounds.
- Barth finished with 15 points and eight rebounds.
- Hurst added 14 points and four rebounds.
- Thomas More advances to play either third-ranked and second-seeded Campbellsville University or 11th-ranked and third-seeded Lindsey Wilson College in the championship tomorrow (March 2) at 5 p.m. Central/6 p.m. Eastern in Bowling Green, Kentucky.