Setting the Scene:
The Griffons are in the midst of their worst losing streak since the 2009-2010 season when they opened up the season going 0-13 overall and 0-7 in MIAA play before picking up their first victory. The Griffons are 2-7 overall and 0-5 in MIAA play losing its last five games. Western will travel to Omaha, Neb. to take on the previous MIAA opponent and current Division I opponent Nebraska-Omaha on New Years Eve, Saturday, December 31 at 12:00 pm in Sapp Fieldhouse. The Mavericks are 7-4 on the season and have defeated Northwest Missouri State 72-70 in overtime in Omaha earlier this season. Since 1989-1990 season the Griffons have played just one game on December 31. They played the Missouri Southern Lions in 2008 in Joplin, Mo. Western fell 58-57 behind 17 points from Lauren Nolke.

Koch Climbing the Record Books:
Jessica Koch is climbing the record books as she currently sits in sixth in MWSU history in scoring 1,369 points which is 381 points from tying the record set by Lisa Hughes with 1,750. Koch is 62 points from being in a tie for 5th with Julie Sherwood. Koch is tied for 8th all-time with Carly Lee in three pointers made with 118. She is also 5th all-time in free throws attempted with 399 and 6th all-time in free throws made with 303 one back of 5th. Koch has scored in double figures in 19 straight games dating back to last season while scoring 20 or more points in eight of those games.

Griffons against UNO in Omaha in the Plett Era:
Coach Plett is 1-2 in Omaha since becoming the head coach of Missouri Western. Plett's lone victory against UNO in Omaha came last season by a score of 67-54 on February 9 behind a career night from Jessica Koch as she dumped in 31 points on 12-of-18 shooting. His lone victory in St. Joseph, Mo. came last season as well by as a score of 71-63 on January 2, 2011 behind 21 points and 10 rebounds from Rachel Luteyn. In the Griffons first meeting with the Mavericks in Omaha under Plett the Griffons fell 60-51. Western held a 29-28 lead but got outscored 32-22 in the second half. Luteyn and Tierra Ford dumped in 10 points apiece while the Mavericks were led by Cayla Hargrove with 16 points. Alyssa Green pitched in 15 for UNO. Last season the Griffons struggled once again in Omaha falling 59-51. Western shot just 26.8-percent (15-56) in the game and made just 14-27 free throw attempts. Lauren Nolke led the way with 16 points while Koch and Colleen Schneider dumped in 11 apiece. Koch also had 10 boards in the game. Alysaa Green and Heather Pohl had 15 and 12 respectively for UNO. Jessica Zaruba snared 10 rebounds.

Coaches vs. Each Program:
Head coach Lynn Plett is just 2-4 all time against the Mavericks. Plett is 1-2 in St. Joseph and 1-2 in Omaha. This marks the first time that Chance Lindley has coached against the Griffons. This is his first year as the Mavericks head coach.

Series vs. the Mavericks:
The Mavericks and the Griffons have met 14 times on the hardwood in the history of the two schools. The Mavericks hold a 9-5 advantage. The Griffons are 2-6 on the road against Omaha and 3-3 in St. Joseph. Western has won the last two match ups with the Mavericks. This marks the first meeting with the Mavericks when they are a Division I school.

Griffon struggles at home this season:
The Griffons have struggled at home this season going 0-3 overall and 0-2 in MIAA play. Last season the Griffons went 10-3 overall and 8-3 in MIAA contests. Western is getting outscored by 15 points per game (74.3-59.3) and out rebounded by one per game at home this season. They are dishing out 11 assists to their opponents 18.7 and committing 20.3 turnovers to their opponents 16.7. The Griffons are shooting 38.1-percent (64-138) from the field and just 29.8-percent (14-47). They are shooting the ball well making 83.7-percent (36-43) from the charity stripe. Jessica Koch and Brittany Griswold are scoring 20.0 and 11.3 points per game respectively. Koch also leads the team with 6.7 rebounds per game but just has five assists to her 15 turnovers in the three home games.

Western on the road this season:
Western is 2-3 this season on the road this season with both their victories coming agianst non-conference opponents. They defeated Colorado School of Mines 65-57 on November 18 and Rockhurst University 57-50 on November 22. They have fell to Pittsburg State 82-57, Fort Hays State 70-48 and to #21 Washburn 87-63. Western is getting outscored by 11.2 per game and out rebounded by 9.2 per game. They are shooting just 3213-percent from the field and 27.6-percent from long range. Jessica Koch leads the charge averaging 22.8 points and 6.8 rebounds per game on the road. She has dished out 12 assists and come away with 11 steals.

Griffon struggles in MIAA play:
Western has also struggled opening up MIAA play. Western is 0-2 at home and 0-3 on the road. Western lost their MIAA season opener 82-57 in Pittsburg, Kan. before falling in their home opener 66-48 against Emporia State. Missouri Southern beat the Griffons for the second straight season at home 66-62 on December 7, 2011. Western fell in their last two games against Fort Hays State 70-48 and #21 Washburn 87-63. The Griffons are getting outscored by 18.6 points per game and out rebounded by 8.4. Western is shooting just 31.5-percent from the field and 31.4-percent from long range. They do shoot free throws well making 60-of-80 of their shots. Koch is averaging 20.6 points per game while Griswold is pitching in 10.0.

Freshman busting out:
Missouri Western freshman Alex Saxen had a breakout game in her last game out against #21 Washburn University in Topeka, Kan. Saxen dumped in a game and career high 21 points connecting on 5-of-9 field goals and 3-of-6 long range shots. She also connected on all eight of her free throw attempts in a career hig 24 minutes of action. She also snared five rebounds and collected one steal for the Grifffons.  

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