SPRINGFIELD, Mo. — Mission University women's basketball opened the 2026 calendar year with a dramatic conference victory Tuesday evening, rallying past Central Baptist College 88–87 in overtime inside W.E. Dowell Fieldhouse. The Lady Patriots improved to 6–7 overall and 2–1 in conference play, while the Lady Mustangs fell to 4–7 and 1–2 in conference action.
Pregame
Tuesday's matchup marked Mission's first game of the new year and its first home conference contest of the season. The Lady Patriots entered the night looking to bounce back from a road loss to UHSP, while Central Baptist came in with momentum after a win over Harris-Stowe.
The game also featured a notable addition to the Mission lineup, as Hannah Maxwell — a volleyball student-athlete during the fall semester — made her first start as a Lady Patriot after joining the basketball roster.
Game Summary
Central Baptist controlled much of the opening quarter, using perimeter shooting and second-chance opportunities to build an early lead. Mission struggled offensively early, but Ireland Jones kept the Lady Patriots within reach, scoring inside and knocking down late three-pointers to close the first quarter.
Mission began to settle in during the second period. Naomi Daugherty provided a spark off the bench with multiple offensive rebounds and putbacks, while Hannah Maxwell battled on the glass and scored through contact. Despite a late Mission push, Central Baptist maintained the edge and took a 45–35 lead into halftime.
The third quarter remained a grind, with both teams trading empty possessions. Mission's defense tightened, forcing turnovers and limiting clean looks, but the Lady Patriots still trailed heading into the fourth.
Mission saved its best stretch for the final period. Miya Nieto knocked down timely threes to ignite the comeback, and Maxwell added a corner triple before finishing through traffic to cut into the deficit. Ireland Jones took over in transition and the half court, scoring on consecutive drives and creating opportunities for teammates as Mission chipped away possession by possession.
With 15 seconds in regulation, Central Baptist led 80–76. After a mustangs layup, Ireland drove in a got sent to the line and with 10 seconds left, Jones made the first and missed the second. Tara Masten forced a turnover on the rebound and it remained Mission ball with 7 seconds left on the baseline. Jones rose from beyond the arc and drilled a clutch three-pointer to tie the game at 80–80, sending the contest into overtime and bringing the Dowell Fieldhouse crowd to its feet.
Overtime belonged to Jones. She opened the period with a deep three to give Mission its first lead since early in the game, then followed with another triple later in the frame to push the advantage. Central Baptist answered with tough baskets to keep it tight, but Mission remained composed at the free-throw line.
With 20 seconds left, Tara Masten calmly knocked down two free throws to give Mission a two-point cushion. Central Baptist hit a late three, but the Lady Patriots held on in the final moments to secure the one-point overtime victory.
Stat Leaders
Postgame
Mission's comeback was fueled by defensive pressure, second-chance opportunities, and poise in late-game moments. Jones' performance highlighted the night, as she accounted for key baskets in regulation and overtime, including the game-tying three that extended the contest.
The win marked a resilient response for the Lady Patriots and a strong start to the new year in conference play.
Next Up
Mission remains at home, hosting Harris-Stowe on Thursday at 5:30 p.m. inside W.E. Dowell Fieldhouse.
