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Setting the scene:
Both teams look for a victory after falling in their MIAA openers, both of which were on the road. The Griffons fell in Pittsburg, Kan. by a score of 77-71 while the Hornets lost to the Northwest Missouri State Bearcats 68-63 in Maryville, Mo. The Griffons come into the evening with a 5-2 overall record and 0-1 record in MIAA play while the Hornets are 4-2 overall and 0-1 in MIAA action.

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 Riggert with color provided by MWSU Hall of Fame broadcaster Bob Orf. 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 (13.7 ppg), senior guard TJ Johnson (13.4 ppg), and junior guard James Harris (12.3 ppg). Douglas also leads the team in rebounds averaging 6.9 boards per game. He is also shooting at a 55.6 percent clip (40-of-72). Harris has connected on 11 three-pointers on the season for a 35.5 percentage (11-for-31). As a team, MWSU is averaging 69.4 points per game and shooting 44.4 percent from the field (185-for-417).  The Griffons are shooting 31.7 percent from 3-point range (33-for-104).

The Series:
Missouri Western holds the series edge 41-26 , but are are 17-16 in games played in Emporia. MWSU has won the last four games against the Hornets in the fieldhouse but have lost the last five in Emporia. Western holds a 25-9 lead in games play in the fieldhouse. Western won last seasons meeting on January 26 by a score of 74-68. This will be the 68th meeting between the Hornets and the Griffons with MWSU holding a 41-26 overall edge. ESU is looking for their first win in St. Joseph since 2007.

The Coaches vs. Each program:
Head Coach Tom Smith is 30-13 all-time against the Hornets and 17-3 at home against the Hornets. Smith is 1-0 on a neutral court and 12-10 in Emporia, Kan. at White Auditorium. Head Coach Shawn Vandiver is in is first season with the Hornets and it will mark the frist meeting between the two coaches. The Griffons won the only MIAA Tournament game between the two schools on March 5, 2004 by a score of 86-80.

On the Internet:
If you can't make it to the game you can watch live stats at http://www.sidearmstats.com/missouri/mbball/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.