Setting the Scene:
The Griffon women (5-11, 3-8 MIAA) will try for their first road victory in MIAA play on Wednesday evening when they travel to Emporia, Kan. to take on the 17th ranked Emporia State Lady Hornets (13-3, 9-2 MIAA). Western will also look to snap a three game losing streak after opening up the 2012 season with a three game winning streak. Western and Emporia will tip off at 5:30 pm in White Auditorium in Emporia, Kan. The Griffons are coming off a 86-68 loss against the 15th ranked Pittsburg State Gorillas last on Saturday in the fieldhouse while the Lady Hornets are coming off a 63-50 victory over the Northwest Missouri State Bearcats on Sunday. The Lady Hornets are 6-1 overall at home and 5-1 at home in MIAA action. Their only loss at home was by a score of 66-60 against Pittsburg State.
Koch Climbing the Record Books:
Jessica Koch is climbing the record books as she currently sits in second in MWSU history in scoring 1,544 points which is 206 points from tying the record set by Lisa Hughes with 1,750. Koch is 6th all-time in three pointers made with 132. She is also 2nd all-time in free throws attempted with 456 and 2nd all-time in free throws made with 344. Koch has scored in double figures in 26 straight games dating back to last season while scoring 20 or more points in 13 of those games. She has scored in double figures in 43 of her last 44 games. She has also recorded three double-doubles this season which includes the against Northwest when she had 12 points and 12 rebounds. She has recorded 14 double-doubles in her career.
The Coaches vs. Each Program:
Griffon head coach Lynn Plett is 1-8 overall against the Lady Hornets since coming to Missouri Western. He is 0-4 on the road and 1-4 in the fieldhouse. Jory Collins is currently 2-1 against the Griffons since being at ESU. Collins is 1-0 in Emporia and 1-1 in St. Joseph.
The Series:
Emporia State and Western have met 76 times on the hardwood since their inaugural meeting during the 1976-77 season, an 83-64 Griffon victory. Since then, the Lady Hornets have held the upper edge on Western, as they hold a 44-32 record through the 35 years. The Griffons are 15-16 against ESU in the Fieldouse and 12-20 in White Auditorium in Emporia. The Griffons and Lady Hornets have matched up 11 times in post season play with Emporia State holding onto a 6-5 advantage.
The Return of Curry:
Since returning to the line up the Griffons have struggled going 0-3 in her three games back. Curry has averaged 20.3 points per game and collected eight rebounds per game. She has scored 25 points twice and collected her third double-double of her career against Pittsburg State with 11 points and 13 rebounds. She has made 22-49 field goals and 11-15 free throw attempts. She has dished out nine assists and collected four steals. Here 13 rebounds ties a career high.
The Griffons last win in Emporia:
The last Griffon victory in White Auditorium came on February 4, 2004 when the Griffons defeated the Lady Hornets 81-77. Emporia was ranked 2nd in the WBCA poll as the Griffons outscored Emporia 14-3 in the final 3:33 to pick up their third straight victory in Emporia. The Griffons were led by Tera Petersen dumping in 20 points and snaring 10 rebounds. Danielle McKinley collected 23 points on 10-of-15 shooting while Carly Lee dumped in 11 points going 6-7 from the line. The Griffons shot 51.4 percent in the second half. Emporia was led by Nicole Patry with 22 points while Adni McAlexander sumped in 12 and Miklannet Tennal scored 16.
