Setting the Scene:
The Griffons struggled down the stretch falling in 11 of their last 13 home games. Western did win the most important game which was the last one of the season against the SBU Bearcats. The 86-69 victory propelled the Griffons into the MIAA tournament for the second consecutive season. For the third time in a row they will face the Washburn Lady Blues in the opening round. Last season the Griffons were the #7 seed and fell 58-55 against the #2 seed Lady Blues. In 2007-2008 Western was the 8th seed and played the #1 seed Washburn Lady Blues. Western fell in that contest 78-63 on March 6, 2008. The Lady Blues enter the contest ranked 12th in the nation and are 25-4 overall and 18-2 in the MIAA. Washburn finished the season winning 16 of its last 17 games which included a 72-47 victory over the Lincoln Blue Tigers last Saturday in Topeka. They have won five straight ending the season. Washburn won both regular season contests with the Griffons. They beat Western 87-63 on December 17 in Topeka and 60-55 on January 28 in St. Joseph.
Koch is Western all-time leader in career points:
Jessica Koch is climbing the record books as she broke the scoring record with two free throws with 2:29 to play against Southwest Baptist. She now has 1,751 points which is one better than Lisa Hughes who had 1,750. Koch is 6th all-time in three pointers made with 146. She is also 2nd all-time in free throws attempted with 520 and is 1st all-time in free throws made with 391. Koch had her 33 streak with double digits snapped against Truman a couple weeks ago when she only had eight against Truman. During those 33 games she scored 20 or more points in 18 of those games. She has scored in double figures in 52 of her last 54 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.
Griffons in the MIAA Tournament:
Western is back in the MIAA Tournament for the second straight season. They were the 7th seed last season. The Griffons boast a 28-15 (24-15) tournament record but were forced to vacated four of those victories due to NCAA violations. The Griffons have won the tournament three times, with the last time coming in the 2001-2002 season under Dave Slifer. The Griffons have finished second in the tournament seven times. The Griffons have been bowed out of the tournament in the first round three times, back in the 1991-1992 season against Central Missouri by a score of 67-49 in 2007-2008 against Washburn, 78-63 and in 2010-2011 against Washburn, 58-55.
Against Washburn in the Tournament:
The Griffons are 5-6 against Washburn in the MIAA Tournament. Western won the first five meetings in the tournament against Washburn with the first being by a score of 76-62 on March 4, 1995 under Jeff Mittie. The last victory in the tournament against Washburn was on March 1, 2002 by a score of 54-51 under Dave Slifer. The Griffons have lost the last six games against Washbun in the tournament.
The Coaches vs. Each Program (WU):
Griffon head coach Lynn Plett is 1-11 overall against the Lady Blues since coming to Missouri Western. He is 0-5 on the road, 1-4 in the fieldhouse and 0-2 on a neutral floor. Ron McHenry is currently 22-10 against the Griffons since being at WU. McHenry is 8-4 in Lee Arena, 8-4 in St. Joseph and 6-2 on a neutral floor against Western.
The Series vs. Washburn:
Washburn and Western have met 81 times on the hardwood since their inaugural meeting during the 1975-76 season, a 74-70 Lady Blues victory. Since then, the Lady Blues have held the upper edge on Western, as they hold a 46-33 record through the 35 years. The Griffons are 16-18 in the MWSU Fieldhouse against the Lady Blues. The Lady Blue hold an 8-7 lead on a neutral floor, but in games that have gone into overtime, Western is 2-1. The Lady Blues have won 13 of the last 14 meetings, which includes the nine of the last ten games they have played against the Griffons under the lead of Coach Plett. Washburn leads the series 21-11 in Topeka.
