Coming off a pair of losses, the Missouri Southern women’s basketball team added a pair of wins to its record.

On Feb. 1, Southwest Baptist University came to Southern. While the Lions’ 14-point halftime lead would be cut by SBU, it would not be enough as Southern won the match-up 72-62.

Freshman guard Meghan Welch would sink six of eight shots from beyond the arc to add to her team-leading 22 points on the night.

“She’s a player I thought was about to explode,” said Maryann Mitts, head women’s basketball coach. “I could tell by the way she was shooting the ball in practice.”

Mitts said some of Welch’s best shots came when the shot clock was about to expire.

“She couldn’t do anything wrong at that point,” Mitts said. “The best she could do was make the shot.”

Welch was followed by Dacie Reutlinger, senior forward, who put up 14 points for the Lions.

Robin Kantin, sophomore guard, was next with 12 points, followed by Dana-Mae Robbs, junior forward, with nine.

Kantin led in rebounds, grabbing nine, followed by Reutlinger who had eight boards.

Kantin also had five steals, and Welch had four.

Liz Burks, junior guard, had seven assists for the Lions.

On Jan. 28, Missouri Western State University traveled to Joplin.

Down by one point at half, Southern would go down by six early in the second, before outscoring MWSU 18-9 over the last three minutes to earn the 69-61 win.

Four Lions scored in the double digits, and Kantin earned her second-straight double-double in the game.

Kantin put away 19 points and grabbed 12 rebounds, leading the Lions in both categories. She also led in assists, with four.

Next on the points list was Marina Caran, junior guard, sinking 16, nine of those from her team-leading three three-pointers.

“Anytime she has both feet set, she’s money,” Mitts said.

Caran also robbed MWSU of the ball four times.

Robbs was next in points with 13, followed by Reutlinger, who had 10.

Southern now holds a 14-7 overall record, and an MIAA record of 6-4, placing them third in the conference

Saturday, the Lions face their next challenge as they face the No. 1-ranked Washburn University Lady Blues on the road in Topeka.

Wednesday, the team returns to Leggett & Platt Athletic Center to play the Central Missouri State University Jennies. That game will tip-off at 5:30 p.m.

“This week is our biggest week in our history here at Missouri Southern,” Mitts said. “It just goes to show you how tough this conference is. It doesn’t matter who you play or where you play, they’re all quality teams.”