MEN'S BASKETBALL HITS THE ROAD FOR MIAA OPENER AGAINST PITTSBURG STATE

Live Stats / Live Audio / Live Video / Game Notes

Setting the scene:
The Griffons are off to a great start to their season opening up 5-1 in their first six contest. The Griffons are coming off a 77-76 victory over the St. Mary's Rattlers in the River City Classic in San Antonio. The Griffons have beaten the Gorillas in the last three MIAA openers which includes once in Pittsburg. Pitt State brings a 4-2 record into Wednesday's action. The Gorillas split a pair of games last week, falling to preseason No. 11 ranked Central Oklahoma, 79-72, on Nov. 22 before bouncing back with a 104-71 victory over NAIA member Southwestern College last Saturday (Nov. 26).

Griffons on Radio:
The games will be broadcasted live on KFEQ 680 AM. The games can also be heard on the internet at www.gogriffons.com by following the “webcast” link under game day. Play-by-Play will be done by Dave Rigertt with color Missouri Westerns Assistant AD/External Relations Brett Esely. The broadcast will start approximately a half hour prior to tipoff.

Scouting the Griffons:
Missouri Western has three players averaging in double figures to date: senior forward Lavonte Douglas (14.5 ppg), senior guard TJ Johnson (13.5 ppg), and junior guard James Harris (11.2 ppg). Douglas also leads the team in rebounds and shooting percentage, averaging 7.3 boards per game and shooting at a 55.4 percent clip (36-of-65). Harris has connected on ten three-pointers on the season for a 35.7 percentage (10-for-28). As a team, MWSU is averaging 69.2 points per game and shooting 42.9 percent from the field (155-for-361). The Griffons are shooting 30.1 percent from 3-point range (28-for-93).

The Series:
Missouri Western holds the series edge 37-27 , including a 22-9 lead in games played in St. Joseph. MWSU also has won five of the last six at home. Western trails 17-15 in Pittsburg but have won two of the last three match ups in Pittsburg. Western has won eight of the last 11 meetings and three of the last five in Pittsburg. The Griffons have won the five of the last six matchups.

The Coaches vs. Each program:
Head Coach Tom Smith is 21-22 at Western against the Gorillas while this will be the third ever meeting against coach Kevin Muff. Since the year 2000 Coach Smith has led his team to a 15-10 overall record against the Gorillas. Smith and the Griffons are 9-4 in the MWSU Fieldhouse against the Gorillas and 6-6 when playing in Pittsburg, Kan. in John Lance Arena. Kevin Muff is 1-1 overall against Western and 17-15 in his short tenure at Pittsburg State.

On the Internet:
If you can't make it to the game you can watch live stats at http://www.pittstategorillas.com/live/basketball/XLIVE.HTM. You can listen to the game at http://www.gogriffons.com/webcast.asp and you can watch the game at www.b2livetv.com/partner_members.asp?id=289 for a minimal cost.

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MEN'S BASKETBALL HITS THE ROAD FOR MIAA OPENER AGAINST PITTSBURG STATE