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ST. JOSEPH, Mo. - Revenge and tournament seeding implications are on the line when Missouri Western travels to MIAA-leading Northwest Missouri State on Saturday. 

THE GRIFFONS
Missouri Western has all but clinched a spot in the MIAA Postseason Tournament after a 65-59 win over Lincoln on Wednesday. Mathematically, the Griffons could still find themselves in a tie but hold tie-breakers over Emporia State and Northeastern State, two of three teams that could catch MWSU in the standings. 

Cortrez Colbert improved his team leading points per game average to 16.5 with a season-high, 29, against Lincoln. Colbert has been stellar in MIAA competition, averaging 19.6 points per game against conference opponents. The senior guard has scored 11 or more in all of his last 17 games, eclipsing 20 points in nine of those. Kevin Thomas continues to improve his game, now leading the team with six rebounds per game. 

As a team, the Griffons are shooting 43 percent from the field and 33 percent from three-point range, while going 67 percent from the free throw line. Once again, the team is dead even with opponents on average scoring at 68 points per game. Fourteen of the team's 23 games have been decided by single-digits, with 12 of those coming by six points or less.

NORTHWEST MISSOURI STATE BEARCATS 
Northwest comes into the weekend having clinched a spot in the MIAA Tournament and in a three-way tie atop the MIAA standings. The Bearcats picked up their sixth-staight Wednesday, with a 69-65 win at Lindenwood. 

Justin Pitts leads the team with 16 points per game. Three others average double-digits, with Conner Crooker adding 14.6, Zach Schneider scoring 12.1 and Grant Cozad averaging 11.5 per game. Cozad's 5.1 rebounds per game are the most on the team. 

The Bearcats average 75.2 points per game, while holding opponents to 65.3. They shoot 50 percent from the field, 44 percent from three-point range and 71 percent at the free throw line.

LAST MEETING
02/04/2015: NWMSU 59 at Missouri Western 58
The Griffons held Northwest Missouri State to a season-low, 59 points but came up just short. 
The Griffons led by four with 4:29 to play but allowed Northwest to regain a 59-56 lead with 2:03 left. Missouri Western held the Bearcats scoreless over the final two minutes but managed just two free throws themselves, missing a free throw attempt, a three-point attempt and committing a turnover in the final 50 seconds.

MIAA BASKETBALL CHAMPIONSHIP TICKETS NOW ON SALE
Tickets for the MIAA Basketball Championship, March 5-8, at Municipal Auditorium in Kansas City are on sale now in the Griffon Ticket Office.  The all-session pass, which includes all 14 games in Kansas City, is $50, with single session tickets available for $20 for adults and youth/students $5.  Men's quarterfinal action begins on Thursday 3/5 with women's quarterfinal action taking place on Friday 3/6.  The semifinals and championship games take place over the weekend. Tickets are cheaper if purchased from our office in advance and we have an allotment we must sell.  Brackets and game times will be determined at the end of the regular season.