On Jan. 31 the Missouri Southern Lions women’s basketball team fell to the Truman State University Bulldogs, dropping them to a 3-7 mark in conference play and a 12-7 mark overall.

The Lions clawed their way back from a nine-point deficit to make it a two-point game late in the second period, but were unable to come any closer.

The loss leaves the Lions standing in eighth place in the Mid-America Intercollegiate Conference, and the team knows it will take many things coming together for it to make post-season play.

“The first is to get everybody on the same page,” said Maryann Mitts, head coach. “I think that all five of our defenders have been on the same page since the first of the season. Offensively, I think that we need to gain confidence. We have to bring back the energy and enthusiasm that we had at the beginning of the season.”

The Lions’ defense, ranked second in the conference in points allowed with just over 58.7 points per game through 19 games this season, is something the ladies are very proud of.

“The team set the goal at the beginning of the year to be the best defense in the conference,” Mitts said. “One of the things that we are trying to do is to use our defense to create offense.”

Southern ranks eighth in the conference in scoring offense, averaging just over 64 points per contest on the season.

When these two teams met on Jan. 28, the Lions came out after halftime and extended a one-point lead to 14, before watching the Lady Miners cut it to a two-point Lions advantage before the game ended. Although they won, the Lions are leary of a letdown against Rolla.

“It would be very foolish of us to overlook anyone at this point,” Mitts said. “We’ve dug ourselves a hole, and when you’re trying to dig out of hole, it’s foolish to underestimate anybody.”

“I think that we will do well,” said Andrea Gossard, freshman guard. “We are well prepared, and we had a good week of practice.”

The Lions will have with them reigning MIAA player of the week, Aubrey Hallman.

The junior guard averaged 19 points, seven rebounds, six assists and four steals per game for Southern last week.

“I think that it is a very deserving honor,” Mitts said. “Aubrey has played very well, and as she has become more comfortable in the conference, she has really elevated her play.”

Sports Note: Missouri Southern defeated University of Missouri-Rolla Feb. 4 at Rolla, 80-71 in double overtime.