Tweet #gogriffs
Tweet #rivalryweek

Missouri Western at #18 Northwest Missouri 
Feb. 11, 2012 - 5:30 pm
Bearcat Arena, Maryville, Mo.

MWSU Game Notes | MWSU Season Stats | MWSU Career Stats

Setting the Scene:

The Griffons (7-14, 2-13) will be looking to even the season series and to win for just the second time in the last 13 tries. Western has had seven days to prepare for the rivalry game; last playing at Missouri Southern on Feb. 4. It's the second leg of a four-game road swing for the Griffons that continues on Feb. 15 at Lincoln and ends on the 18th at Truman State. 

The No. 18 Bearcats (18-3, 12-3) have won five straight and hold a half game lead over Central Missouri atop the MIAA standings. 

Northwest has lost twice since the last meeting between the two teams on Jan. 4. The Griffons shot just 34 precent from the field in a 53-64 loss at the MWSU Fieldhouse. 

Scouting the Griffons:

Western remains in the MIAA basement after a 69-85 loss at No 23 Missouri Southern on Feb. 4.

The Griffons have held opponents to just 67 points per game, but have struggled on the offensive end (64.7 ppg). 

The team has been an icy 61 percent from the free throw line and have been outrebounded 707-783 (nearly four per game). Western is 42.6 percent from the field on the season. 

James Harris (13 ppg) leads the Griffons with Lavonte Douglas' 12. 4 ppg not far behind. TJ Johnson (12.1) is the only other Griffon averaging double digit points. Douglas' 7.8 rebounds per game lead the team by over two and a half, and ranks him among the conference leaders. Alex Tuluka-Mfumupembe is one of the MIAA's top 3-point shooters, averaging 41 percent from behind the arc.