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Setting the Scene:
Missouri Western has opened up the MIAA season losing its first two contests by an average of 21.5 points per game.  Western fell last Wednesday on the road in Pittsburg, Kan. by a score of 82-57. Western then fell to the Lady Hornets of Emporia State by a score of 66-48 on Saturday in the MIAA home opener. The Lions enter the game 4-4 overall and are 0-2 in MIAA play. The Lions fell in their MIAA opener at home by a score of 63-55 against Truman State and then fell 66-50 on the road against Central Missouri. They are 1-1 on the road this season with their only road victory coming at Nebraska Kearney by a score of 76-66 on November 14, 2011.

Koch Climbing the Record Books:
Jessica Koch is climbing the record books as she currently sits in seventh in MWSU history in scoring 1,309 points which is 441 points from tying the record set by Lisa Hughes with 1,750. Koch is 52 points from being in a tie for 6th with Toni Wood. Koch is 11th all-time in three pointers made with 111 which is two back of 10th.

Griffons against MSSU in St. Joseph in the Plett Era:
Coach Plett is 3-1 at home against the Lions and 4-4 overall against Southern. Western defeated the Lions 70-58 back on March 1, 2008 to earn a MIAA Tournament birth in Pletts first season. Janique Javois dumped in a game high 26 points while Jill Johnson scored 19. The Griffons continued their home dominance of the Lions on February 7, 2009 when they beat the Lions 52-39 behind 13 points from Jessica Koch and 11 rebounds from Rachel Luteyn. Last season on December 30, 2009 the Griffons were able to come away with a 78-62 victory behind 24 points from Koch and 14 from Brittany Casady. Lovejoy led the Lions with 15 while LaTrice Jones and Erin Rice dumped in 12 and 13 respectively. Western fell last season by a score of 67-61 on February 5, 2011. Koch had 18 points while Lauren Nolke dumped in 17 and Rachel Luteyn dumped in 10.
 
Coaches vs. Each Program:
Head coach Lynn Plett is just 4-4 all time against the Lions. Plett is 3-1 in St. Joseph and 1-3 in Joplin. Maryann Mitts is 8-15 all time against MWSU. She is 7-3 in Joplin and 1-9 in St. Joseph. She is also 0-3 in neutral site games.

Series vs. the Lions:
The Lions and the Griffons have met 77 times on the hardwood in the history of the two schools, almost twice yearly since the first meeting, an 83-62 Griffon victory during the 1976-77 season. Western holds a 53-25 over the Lions, including an outstanding 28-3 record in the MWSU Fieldhouse. When on the road, the stakes are a little more evenly matched, with Lions holding a 17-16 advantage. In games played at a neutral site, the Griffons are 6-5 all time against the Lions. Western had to vacate two victories against the Lions back in the 2006-2007 season due to NCAA violations.

Struggles in the fieldhouse:
The Griffons have struggled this season in the fieldhouse posting just a 0-2 record at home after going 10-3 last season and 8-3 in MIAA play at home. This season the Griffons are getting outscored by 20.5 point per game and out rebounded by eight per game. Western has just 22 assists to their opponents 20 and have made just 8-29 long range shots. Koch has averaged 19.9 points per game and 7.5 rebounds while Brittany Griswold has dumped in 10.5 points per game and snared four rebounds per contest.

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