by SPRINGFIELD, Mo. — In a game defined by momentum swings, perimeter shooting, and a dramatic fourth-quarter comeback, the Haskell women’s basketball team pushed Mission (Mo.) to the brink before ultimately falling, 87–84, in a hard-fought overtime battle Saturday.
Fast Start, Fierce Shooting Duel
Haskell opened the game with strong interior play from Tierzah Penn and Ivy Fox, but Mission’s Ireland Jones caught fire almost immediately. Jones hit four 3-pointers in the first eight minutes, helping Mission build an early 20–13 lead.
Haskell responded with poise. A late first-quarter surge — including a determined sequence of offensive rebounds and a buzzer-beating layup by Angela Astorga — gave Haskell a 21–20 lead after one.
Second Quarter: Haskell Finds Rhythm
The second quarter featured impressive defensive stands from Haskell, including steals by Penn, Astorga, and Naomi Daugherty. Offensively, Ona Dauphinais took charge, hitting a series of key shots, including a deep 3 that pushed Haskell ahead 38–28 with 2:23 left.
But Mission refused to go away. Jones again answered from long range, trimming Haskell’s lead to 38–34 at the break.
Third Quarter: Trading Runs
Mission opened the second half aggressively as Miya Nieto and Jones combined for early buckets to close the gap to two. Haskell countered with steady production from Fox, Dauphinais, and Penn.
Dauphinais’ 3-pointer at the 8:26 mark pushed the lead back to seven, but the rest of the quarter belonged to Mission’s perimeter attack. Nieto hit back-to-back threes to tie the game at 45–45, and moments later Mission took its first lead of the half at the foul line.
After a flurry of tied scores and lead changes, Mission entered the fourth ahead 60–54 thanks to a late surge from Nieto.
Fourth Quarter: Haskell Forces Overtime
Mission looked poised to pull away after stretching its lead to 73–63, but Haskell wasn’t finished. Fox and Astorga combined for a 10–0 run.
With defensive pressure intensifying, Haskell forced multiple turnovers in the final minute. Fox again delivered from the line to tie the game 73–73 with :55 remaining.
A chaotic final sequence saw steals by Fox and Dauphinais, and Haskell earned a final look at the buzzer — a deep 3 from Dauphinais that just missed, sending the game to overtime.
Overtime: Mission Escapes
Haskell struck first in OT on a jumper from Fox, then extended the lead to 77–73 on two free throws by Dauphinais. But Mission answered again behind Autumn Gunter, who scored seven straight points — a layup, a go-ahead three, and two free throws — swinging the momentum.
Oatman drilled a clutch 3 to pull Haskell within two at 80–82, and Dauphinais tied the game moments later with a smooth jumper.
But Mission’s defense held firm in the final two minutes, forcing turnovers and securing key rebounds as Haskell’s late shots fell short. Mission added critical free throws and closed out the overtime period to claim the win.
Standout Performances for Haskell
- Ivy Fox: 27 points and 11 rebounds are both season highs
- Ona Dauphinais: 25 points
- Angela Astorga: 11 points and 9 rebounds
- Tierzah Penn: 7 points and team high 5 assists
