SPRINGFIELD, Mo.-- The number one ranked Drury Lady Panthers celebrated Hiland Dairy Kids Day with a decisive 100-56 win over Arkansas-Ft. Smith in front of a crowd of 3,108 at the O'Reilly Family Event Center Friday morning.
 
In a physical and foul-plagued contest, Drury (8-0) limited opportunities for the Lions holding them to single-digit scoring in the first and third quarters (nine in the first and seven in the third period), forced a total of 44 turnovers, and the Lions committed 29 fouls en route to the easy non-conference meeting. Drury's 100 points, 44 forced turnovers and 45 rebounds were team-high totals for the season.
 
"I always go into every game thinking anyone can win, so you never take any team lightly," said Drury head coach Molly Miller. "They were 1-6 when we saw them last year, and they came in today 4-3, so they're a much better ballclub."
 
The Lady Panthers used their smothering defense to jump on the Lions early, forcing 12 turnovers in the first quarter and holding their opponents to no field goals in the period while claiming a 21-9 lead after the first ten minutes of play.
 
"The only thing wrong in the first quarter was that we sent them to the free throw line so much," said Miller. "All nine of their points came from the line, so we did do a good job of limiting their field goals."
 
Senior Daejah Bernard finished with a double-double, 10 points, and 11 rebounds to spark the Drury effort. Junior Kelsey Winfrey topped Drury's scoring with 17 points, with senior Hailey Diestelkamp finishing with 15, sophomore Paige Robinson had 14, and junior Payton Richards dropped in 10 to give Drury five players in double figures. Ashanti Eden lead the scoring for the Lions (4-4) with 17.
 
"You just can't say enough about Daejah," added Miller. "I was watching one possession where she was guarding one through five, end to end, making things happen. We know her energy is going to carry this team really far."
 
Drury hit on 34 of 75 shots (45.3%) while holding Arkansas-Fort Smith to 13 of 41 (31.7%). Drury made 25 of 36 from the free throw line, while the Lions finished with 26 of 32 shooting from the charity stripe.
 
The victory was Drury's 45th straight win at home.
 
The Lady Panthers return to action on December 19th when they travel to Lakeland, Florida to meet Eckard College in the Terrace Hotel Classic.
 
 
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