Missouri Western returns to the MWSU Fieldhouse Thursday as they begin a three-game home stand after playing five of their previous six games on the road. The Griffons begin the home stand with Missouri Southern (7-10) for their second matchup with the Lions this season. Southern defeated MWSU in Joplin, 67-56, on December 19.
The Griffons look to stop a three-game losing streak as they fell on Monday at then No. 11 Fort Hays State, 58-49, to drop to 3-11 this season.
Asia McCoy led Missouri Western against the Tigers as she scored nine points and added a career-high 12 rebounds.
Kyra Hogan added eight points and five rebounds, including her for two three-pointers of the season. MWSU held the top scoring and shooting team in the MIAA to a season low 58 points and a season low 32.7 percent shooting.
In the first meeting between these two teams Missouri Western led 37-30 at halftime in Joplin, but Southern outscored the Griffons 20-8 in the third quarter and went on to the 11-point win. MSSU outscored MWSU from the free throw line in that game, 26-10. The Griffons'
Brionna Budgetts scored a career-high 13 points against the Lions, while
Jordan Cunningham added 10.
Missouri Southern comes into the game 7-10 after losing to No. 20 Central Missouri last Saturday, 78-59. The Lions had won three of their previous four after a five-game losing streak. MSSU is 3-6 on the road this season. Carley Turnbull leads Southern in scoring at 14.0 point per game, while Madi Stokes adds 10.4 points per outing and a league best 11.2 rebounds per game. Ronnie Ressel (54-78) is in his fifth season as head coach at Missouri Southern.
Missouri Western leads the all-time series 59-35, including a 36-9 mark in St. Joseph. The Griffons have won five of the last six at home against the Lions, and did defeat MSSU last season 76-47 inside the Fieldhouse.
RESCHEDULED GAMES
Missouri Western had to postpone three games last month after pausing all team activities. They made up their game from January with Fort Hays State on Monday. The Newman game from Thursday, January 21 has been rescheduled for Monday, February 15 at 5:30 p.m. inside the MWSU Fieldhouse. And the Griffons home game with Central Oklahoma from Saturday, January 23, will now be played February 24 in St. Joseph.
ON THE GLASS
MWSU is first in the MIAA in offensive rebounds (13.4) this season after getting 22 on Monday at Fort Hays State. They are third in the league to rebounds per game (38.8). MWSU has had at least 38 rebounds in nine games and they've added 11 or more offensive rebounds in nine games this season.
DEFENDING THE 3
The Griffons are now third in the MIAA in three-point field goal percentage defense (28.3%) after holding FHSU to 6-of-26 from behind the arc. Only three opponents have shot better than 40% from three this season. Western has held nine teams to under 40% shooting overall and they've held nine opponents to 67 points or less this season.
FORCING TURNOVERS
Missouri Western has forced 20 or more turnovers four times this season and 14 or more in nine games. They rank fourth in the MIAA in turnovers forced per game (15.6).
YOUTH MOVEMENT
Missouri Western is relying on many young players this season after graduating six seniors and losing all five starters off their 21-8 team last season. The Griffons have nine first-year players and just six that played in a Griffon uniform prior to this season.
MINUTES PLAYED PER CLASS
Freshman - 1177 (42.0% of teams total minutes)
Sophomore - 553 (19.8%)
Junior - 342 (12.2%)
Senior - 734 (26.2%)
MINUTES PLAYED PER YEAR OF EXPERIENCE IN THE PROGRAM
1st Year – 1703 (60.8% of teams total min. played)
2nd Year – 1024 (36.6%)
3rd Year – 79 (2.8%)
POINTS SCORED PER CLASS
Freshman - 324 (39.6% of teams total points)
Sophomore - 210 (25.6%)
Junior - 104 (12.7%)
Senior - 181 (22.1%)
POINTS SCORED PER YEAR OF EXPERIENCE IN THE PROGRAM
1st Year – 504 (61.5% of teams total points scored)
2nd Year – 290 (35.4%)
3rd Year – 25 (3.1%)
