SHAWNEE, Okla. – Drury STUNT opened their inaugural season as an NCAA sport on Friday at Oklahoma Baptist. The Panthers competed against #8 Texas Woman's and cross-town rival, Missouri State, before the tournament was canceled for pending winter weather.
 
#13 Drury 9, #8 Texas Woman's 11
The Panthers started strong in the first quarter, with partner stunts, shutting out TWU and earning all available points. The second quarter, pyramids and tosses was a close battle, ending in a 2-2 tie. TWU found momentum in the third quarter, jumps and tumbling, shutting out Drury and earning three points.
 
The intensity picked up in the fourth quarter, team routine, where Drury initially took the lead after the first round (7-6) by securing points in partner stunts and pyramids and tosses, while TWU claimed the point for jumps and tumbling. The second round saw no points for partner stunts or pyramids and tosses, but TWU's strength in tumbling tied the game at 7-7. Drury regained the lead in the third round with a partner stunt point, but TWU responded with two points, flipping the score to 8-9. In the decisive fourth round, Drury secured one more partner stunt point, but TWU sealed the win by earning both remaining points in jumps and tumbling and pyramids and tosses.
 
Despite the loss, Drury's performance was a major milestone for the program, marking the first NCAA game that Drury has competed in. Coach Kayla Duffey-Mackey emphasized the team's growth, "I am incredibly proud of my athletes. They were able to take all the partner stunt points of this game, which is huge! … Ultimately, we lost by two points, but I felt like it was still a huge win and a step in the right direction for our program."
 
#13 Drury 11, Missouri St. 12
The game opened with partner stunts, where Missouri State struck first in Round 1. Drury responded by winning Rounds 2 and 3, but Missouri State equalized in Round 4, leaving the quarter tied at 2-2.
 
In the second quarter, pyramids and tosses, Drury gained an early advantage with a solid performance in Round 1. Missouri State won the second and fourth round. The third round resulted in a tie.
 
Two out of the four jumps and tumbling routines were forfeited by both Drury and Missouri State. This resulted in no points in two out of the four rounds in the third quarter. The Bears held onto a lead entering the final quarter.
 
In the final quarter, Drury was able to win the partner stunts and jumps and tumbling in the first round. The Panthers were only able to get partner stunts in the second round of the fourth quarter. Drury added jumps and tumbling in round three. Heading into the final round, Drury trailed MSU, 11-8. The Panthers received three points for all three sections but one tie in the jumps and tumbling gave Missouri State the win, 12-11.

Coach Duffey-Mackey added "I am incredibly proud of my team for their grit, strength, and sportsmanship. My team was able to dominate the fourth quarter. I am excited to see how we continue to grow and take on the rest of the season!"
 
UP NEXT
Drury will head to St. Louis to compete in the Maryville tournament on March 1-2. The Panthers will play against Lewis, Maryville, Tiffin, and Central Methodist (Mo.).
 
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