SPRINGFIELD, Mo.-- The Drury Lady Panthers exploded out of the gate and built an early lead that the visiting Maryville Saints could never overcome Saturday afternoon, claiming a 90-69 win at the O'Reilly Family Event Center.
 
After quickly falling behind 3-2 to the Saints, the Lady Panthers went on a 27-3 run the remainder of the opening period and held off a second half challenge from Maryville, improving to 12-4 overall with the win and to 8-1 in Great Lakes Valley Conference play, which also moved them into a tie for first place in the conference standings.
 
"I think anytime you can start 29-6, you've set a tone," said Drury head coach Kaci Bailey.  " We got a little relaxed and gave up 30 points in the third period, but we regrouped and our energy early did set the tone."
 
In addition to an impressive defensive start to the game, equally outstanding was the Drury scoring effort, as a trio of players reached the twenty-point plateau for the afternoon.  
 
Sophomore Rhi Gibbons led the way with 24 points, while seniors Makaiya Brooks and Caitlynn Daniels added 21 and 20 respectively.  Both draining five of Drury's 12 made three's in the contest.  Senior Anna Hitt gave the Lady Panthers four players in double figures, as she finished with 15.
 
"A great offensive night and I said it after Thursday night, ball movement was our focus," added Bailey.  "We didn't have good movement a week ago, but I think we really did again today."
 
In addition to her 20 point effort, Daniels added another double-double to her season ledger, finishing with 11 assists, for her third consecutive game of a triple-double or double-double performance.
 
Claire Rake finished with 16 points to pace the Maryville scoring, as the Saints dropped to 8-10 overall and 6-4 in GLVC action.
 
The Lady Panthers return to action on Thursday, January 23rd, in a 4:30 pm (CST) game at Indianapolis in GLVC play.