GAME PREVIEW
#5 Missouri Western (18-1, 12-1 MIAA) vs. Pittsburg State (15-4, 9-4 MIAA)
Wednesday, Jan. 27 – 5:30 p.m.
John Lance Arena – Pittsburg, Kansas
 
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ST. JOSEPH, Mo. – The Griffons will look to rebound off their first loss of the season as they travel to Pittsburg St. on Wednesday starting at 5:30 p.m. Missouri Western will look to sweep the series against Pittsburg State this season as they won in early December, 83-75.

The Series
The Griffons lead the all-time series 51-23 since 1977. Missouri Western earned a victory earlier this season 83-75 in St. Joseph when both team were undefeated on December 10^th. The Griffon last won at Pittsburg State in the MIAA tournament in 2013, 71-67.

The Coaches
Rob Edmisson is now 59-41 at MWSU in his fourth year and has an overall coaching record of 448-149 in his career. Prior to Missouri Western, Edmisson spent seven seasons at Oklahoma City and won a national championship in 2011-12.

Lane Lord is in his ninth season as head coach at Pittsburg State. Lord is 169-87 in his time with Pitt State. Last season, Lord led the Gorillas to their second straight NCAA Tournament and third in his tenure. Lord was the head coach at Barton County Community College for three seasons prior to taking the job at Pittsburg State and Wichita Heights High School for nine years before that.  

Missouri Western

• The Griffons are currently 18-1 overall and 12-1 in the MIAA
• Missouri Western is still in first place in the MIAA standings, Fort Hays State has an 11-2 conference record and sit second
• Missouri Western has clinched a spot in the MIAA tournament
• MWSU has a record of 7-0 on the road this season
• Offensively, the Griffons put up an average of 84.9 points per game (3^rd in the NCAA)
• Missouri Western remains a second half team outscoring opponents 871-592
• The Griffons limit the opposition to 63.5 points per game and have a scoring margin of +21.4 (7^th in the NCAA)
• As a team, MWSU shoots 49.6 percent from the field (2^nd in the NCAA)
• The Griffons are one of the best free throw shooting team in the country, making 329 free throws through 19 games (4^th in the NCAA)
• Defensively, the Griffons turnover margin is +6.42 (11^th in the NCAA)
• LaQuinta Jefferson continues to pace the offense with 22.5 points per game (3^rd in the NCAA)
• Jefferson converts on 57 percent of her field goals (1^st in the MIAA)
• Junior Chelsea Dewey averages 3.8 assist per game (7^th in the MIAA)
• Mhykeah Baez leads the team in rebounds at 5.6 and averages 1.2 blocks per game (T-3^rd in the MIAA)
• Defensively, Miliakere Koyamainavure leads the team in steals at 1.9 per game (4^th in the MIAA)
• Sarafina Handy shoots 85 percent from the free throw line (4^th in the MIAA) and makes an average of 2.3 three-pointers per game (4^th in the MIAA)

Pittsburg State

• PSU holds a 15-4 overall record and 9-4 conference record
• Pittsburg State is currently in fourth place in the MIAA standings
• The Gorillas have a 7-2 record at home this season
• Pittsburg State has won four straight games
• PSU averages 75.1 points per game (3^rd in the MIAA) and give up 63.3 points per game (5^th in the MIAA)
• Pittsburg St. makes an average of 7.4 three-point field goals per game (3^rd in the MIAA)
• PSU converts on 75 percent of their free throws (3^rd in the MIAA)
• The Gorillas grab an average of 36.2 rebounds per game (7^th in the MIAA)
• Mikaela Burgess scores an average of 17.2 points per game (4^th in the MIAA)
• Burgess makes an average of 3.1 three-pointers per game (1^st in the MIAA)
• Guard Hadyn Herlocker leads the team with 4.3 assist per game (4^th in the MIAA)
• Kylie Gafford averages 1.7 blocks per game (1^st in the MIAA)