Nevada, Mo. — February 19, 2026

Mission improved to 12-15 overall and 8-9 in conference play with a 76-63 road victory over Cottey College on Wednesday evening in Nevada, Missouri. The Lady Comets fell to 6-20 overall and 5-12 in conference play.

Mission entered the matchup coming off a 79-71 loss to Williams Baptist, while Cottey was fresh off a 74-72 win over Hannibal-LaGrange. The Patriots also won the first meeting between the teams earlier this season, 88-63.

Game Summary

Cottey struck first with a three-pointer from AuShae Farris, but Mission responded quickly. Hannah Maxwell scored inside, and Ireland Jones knocked down a three to tie the game at 5-5. After several early lead changes, Mission used a late first-quarter surge to take control.

With the score tied at 12-12 midway through the opening period, the Patriots closed the quarter on a 15-6 run. Jones hit multiple three-pointers during the stretch, and Miya Nieto added back-to-back threes to push the lead to double digits. Mission led 27-18 after one.

The Patriots extended their advantage in the second quarter. Tara Masten scored early, and Jayla Kirksey converted two free throws to make it 33-20. Masten capped the half with a three-pointer in the final seconds, giving Mission a 36-29 lead at the break.

Mission took full control in the third quarter. After Cottey trimmed the deficit to 40-36, the Patriots answered with a decisive run. Nieto, Jones, and Maxwell each connected from beyond the arc, and Kirksey scored twice inside off offensive rebounds. Mission outscored Cottey 27-15 in the period and built a 63-44 lead heading into the fourth.

The Lady Comets made a late push in the final quarter, cutting the margin to 68-53 midway through, but Mission responded at the free-throw line. Jones and Maxwell combined for key free throws to maintain a comfortable cushion. The Patriots led by as many as 21 in the fourth before closing out the 76-63 win.

Mission Stat Leaders

Ireland Jones: 20 points (6-17 FG, 5-12 3PT, 3-4 FT), 4 rebounds, 3 assists, 2 steals

Tara Masten: 15 points (7-13 FG), 3 rebounds, 3 assists, 3 steals

Hannah Maxwell: 12 points (4-7 FG), 12 rebounds

Miya Nieto: 11 points (3-11 3PT), 4 rebounds, 3 assists

Naomi Daugherty: 8 points (3-3 FG), 2 rebounds

Jayla Kirksey: 8 points, 9 rebounds (7 offensive)

Mission shot 44.3 percent from the field and hit 11 three-pointers. The Patriots held Cottey to 17.4 percent shooting from beyond the arc (4-23) and outrebounded the Lady Comets 38-27.

Postgame Notes

• Mission has now won both meetings against Cottey this season.

• The Patriots improved to 8-9 in conference play.

• Mission had five players score eight or more points.

• Jayla Kirksey grabbed seven offensive rebounds as part of her nine total boards.

Next Up

Mission returns home for its regular-season finale on Saturday, February 21 at 1:00 PM at W.E. Dowell Fieldhouse in Springfield, Missouri, against Crowley's Ridge. The matchup will serve as the Patriots' final game of the regular season.