Lawrence, Kan. — In the second meeting of the season between Mission University and Haskell Indian Nations University, the Patriots came up short in an 83–73 road loss on Tuesday night — just two weeks after defeating the Indians in an overtime thriller in Springfield.
Despite the final outcome, the Patriots posted their most balanced offensive performance of the season, highlighted by four players scoring in double figures for the first time this year.
Offensive Balance Leads the Way
Mission showed major growth on the offensive end, with a balanced attack that kept them in striking distance all night:
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Ireland Jones – 13 points, 8 rebounds, 4 assists
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Kayla Howell – 13 points (5-of-8 FG, 3-of-6 3PT) in her Patriot debut
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Tara Masten – 10 points and 8 rebounds in her first collegiate action
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Miya Nieto – 10 points on efficient 4-of-8 shooting
The scoring depth was a bright spot, especially with two newcomers making an immediate impact in their first opportunity on the court. Howell's perimeter shooting gave Mission a spark off the bench, while Masten provided toughness and much-needed scoring in the paint.
Key Differences
Mission actually outshot Haskell from the field (40.6% to 39.7%) and from three (39.3% to 25.0%), but the game was decided in two areas:
Haskell's balanced scoring attack was led by Ona Dauphinais, who finished with 26 points, while Ivy Fox added 18.
Looking Ahead: Conference Play Begins
Mission now prepares for its first AMC matchup of the season as they travel to take on Stephens College this Saturday. With the offense trending upward and new contributors emerging, the Patriots look to carry the positives from Tuesday's performance into conference play.
