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 2-8 overall and 0-5 in MIAA play losing its last six games. Western hosts the Northwest Missouri State Bearcats in their first action of 2012. The Griffons are 0-3 at home with their last game coming on December 7, 2011 when they fell 66-62 against Missouri Southern. The Bearcats are 2-10 on the season and 0-5 in MIAA play. Northwest has lost its last seven games which includes a 69-64 loss on December 30 against the Lincoln Blue Tigers in Jefferson City, Mo. The Bearcats are 0-4 on the road this season and 0-1 in MIAA play on the road.  

Koch Climbing the Record Books:
Jessica Koch is climbing the record books as she currently sits in sixth in MWSU history in scoring 1,399 points which is 351 points from tying the record set by Lisa Hughes with 1,750. Koch is 32 points from being in a tie for 5th with Julie Sherwood. Koch is 8th all-time in three pointers made with 120. She is also 5th all-time in free throws attempted with 413 and 5th all-time in free throws made with 313. Koch has scored in double figures in 20 straight games dating back to last season while scoring 20 or more points in nine of those games.

Griffons against NWMSU in the Plett Era:
The Griffons are 3-5 against the Bearcats in the Plett era. The last victory for the Griffons came two seasons ago in the fieldhouse on January 6, 2010 by a score of 67-54. Lauren Nolke led the charge with 20 points on 8-of-10 shooting while Jessica Koch dumped in 13 and snared 10 rebounds. Under Plett the Griffons are 2-2 at home and 1-3 in Bearcat Arena. Western's only victory in Maryville came in Plett's first season when the Griffons won 69-66 on February 27, 2008. Tierra Ford led the charge with 24 points on 10-of-18 shooting while Jill Johnson and Yanique Javois pitched in 18 and 16 respectively. Lauren Williams scored 18 for the Bearcats while Meghan Brue and Mandi Schumacher scored 16 and 10 respectively.

Coaches vs. Each Program:
Head coach Lynn Plett is just 3-5 all time against the Bearcats. Plett is 2-2 in St. Joseph and 1-3 in Maryville. Gene Stinemeyer is 10-16 all time against MWSU.

Series vs. the Bearcats:
The Bearcats and the Griffons have met 57 times on the hardwood in the history of the two schools. The Griffons hold a 31-26 advantage, but had to vacate four victories in the series so they lead 27-26. Western is 17-9 in the fieldhouse but had to vacate two victories so hold a 15-9 lead. The Bearcats hold a 15-13 lead in Maryville but Western had to vacate game so they hold a 15-12 lead. On a neutral floor Western is 1-0 but had to vacate that victory.

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.

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 2-4 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, #21 Washburn 87-63 and to Division I opponent Nebraska-Omaha, 64-62. Western is getting outscored by 9.7 per game and out rebounded by 7.7 per game. They are shooting just 31.5-percent from the field and 26.2-percent from long range. Jessica Koch leads the charge averaging 24.0 points and 6.0 rebounds per game on the road. She has dished out 21 assists and come away with 14 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 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. Against UNO she played 23 minutes scoring 8 points on 2-of-4 shooting and connecting on 1-of-2 long range shots. She is a perfect 11-for-11 from the foul line.

Coming up next:
The Griffons will play their second of a three game home stand on Saturday, January 7 when they take on the Lincoln Blue Tigers at 1:30 pm from the MWSU Fieldhouse. Western defeated the Blue Tigers in both games last season.