By SEAN McCARRELL

(WARRENSBURG, Mo., digitalBURG) – Freshman Shelby Winkelmann was the star for the Jennies as they bounced back in a big way Saturday afternoon, defeating Emporia State 84-63.

A slow start for both the Jennies and Hornets manifested itself in eight total fouls called in the first 4 minutes and 30 seconds of the game. However, both teams settled in and battled for their first MIAA win, as both teams were 0-1 in league play coming into the contest.

Neither team shot well from the field in the first half, with the Jennies separating themselves at the free-throw line. The Hornets were 11/25 from the field in the first 20 minutes, while the Jennies shot 13/36.

The Jennies were successful getting to the free-throw line, and in turn got the Hornets in early foul trouble. UCM shot 10/14 from the charity stripe in the first half, and went into the locker room leading 38-30.

“It was a pleasure to put up 38 by halftime,” said Jennies head coach Dave Slifer, referencing the game Wednesday night.

Twenty seconds into the second half, Emporia State’s leading scorer, Merissa Quick, was whistled for her third foul, forcing her to the bench for a long stretch. That, coupled with a 6-0 run by UCM to start the period, put the Jennies ahead by 14. UCM remained in control for the remainder of the game.

Four of the six early second-half points were scored by Shelby Winkelmann, who had a day for the ages.

“It felt really good to be playing out there today,” Winkelmann said.

Emporia State made runs in the second half, including a 6-0 run of its own to cut the Jennies lead to eight, but anytime the Jennies needed a basket, Shelby Winkelmann came through.

“Once we got through (a stretch where they struggled to score) it was Winkelmann time,” Slifer said. “She just made play after play after play.”

At the 9:39 mark, Winkelmann was fouled in the act of shooting a layup that was good. The officials ruled she was fouled intentionally, and she promptly made both free throws, bringing her point total to 30.

UCM led 62-44 when Emporia State made a 10-0 run to cut the Jennies’ lead to eight. After that, it was all UCM. The Jennies outscored the Hornets 22-8 in the final five minutes, and went on to win 84-63.

“I was very proud of the kids and the way they played,” Slifer said. “I like the way we approached the game.”

Shelby Winkelmann, a freshman guard from Hermann, Mo., led the day for UCM, finishing the game with 42 points and 11 rebounds. Her 42-point performance, which came on 16-of-19 shooting, is the third most points scored by a Jenny in school history, and the most in Jennies’ history by a freshman.

“I told myself I wanted to get every ball I could,” Winkelmann said. “I want to thank everyone on the team. They were the reason I was able to score this many.”

In addition to Winkelmann’s stellar performance, the Jennies controlled the paint and glass. When all was said and done, UCM outrebounded Emporia State 42-31 and earned 25 second-chance points. The Jennies also outscored the Hornets in the paint 46-30.

With the win, UCM improves to 6-1, and 1-1 in the MIAA. The Jennies are off for the next 10 days before returning to action in Las Vegas against Dixie State Tuesday, Dec. 18.