Missouri Western (6-6, 2-3) vs. Emporia State (8-6, 1-4)
Thursday, Jan. 8 - 7:30 p.m. - MWSU Fieldhouse - St. Joseph, Mo.
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ST. JOSEPH, Mo. - A three-game stretch at home for Missouri Western begins Thursday night when Emporia State visits the fieldhouse.
THE GRIFFONSMissouri Western brings a 6-6 overall record and a 2-3 MIAA mark into the first game of a three-game home stand. The Griffons are coming off a gutsy, 81-77 overtime win at Nebraska-Kearney on Monday. MWSU trailed through much of the game before tying the game in regulation and controlling the overtime period. It was just the second road win for the team in its last 15 away games.
Missouri Western's two MIAA wins have both come in overtime. Averaging 71.4 points per game, the Griffons are allowing 70.8 per contest to opponents. The team is now shooting 43 percent from the field, 35 percent from three-point range and 67 percent at the line. Two straight low rebounding efforts have the team averaging just 0.2 more boards per game than their opponents.
Cortrez Colbert has taken the offensive lead over the last four games, now leading the team with 13.5 points per game. Colbert has averaged 21 points per game in the last four contests, scoring 23 or more in three of those games.
Kevin Thomas is scoring 9.6 points per game and leads the team with 5.3 rebounds per game.
EMPORIA STATE HORNETSEmporia State enters 8-6 and 1-4 in MIAA play after falling to Lindenwood, 67-49 on Monday night. The Hornets are led by Terrence Moore's 17 points per game. Moore also leads the team with 4.3 rebounds per game. Jevon Taylor is averaging 10.9 points per game and three other players average at least seven points per game.
The Hornets are averaging 70.8 points per game, while holding opponents to a 67.1 points per game average. They shoot 45 percent from the field, 40 percent from three and 70 percent at the free throw line. ESU averages 30 rebounds per game to their opponents' 33.
LAST YEAR'S MEETING
MWSU 80, ESU 87 at Emporia, Kan. on Jan. 8, 2014The Griffons shot 39.1-percent (27-69) from the field and 34.8-percent (8-23) from long range. The Griffons also made 18-25 from the line but got outrebounded 44-30.
Adarius Fulton was the other Griffon in double figures with 15. Devers had eight rebounds and eight assists.The Hornets shot a sizzling 61.1-percent (33-54) from the field with three players score in double figures.
COMING UPThe Griffons stay in the fieldhouse for the next eight days, with Pittsburg State making the trip to St. Joseph on Saturday and defending national champion, Central Missouri, visiting the fieldhouse next Wednesday. That game on the 14th against the Mules will be sponsored by Commerce Bank and include the annual cash grab. Four lucky fans will enter the cash machine to grab as many bills as they can before time runs out.
