ST. JOSEPH, Mo. — Missouri Western heads to Pittsburg State and Missouri Southern to open conference play in a tough slate of games that features a matchup between the Griffons and last year's MIAA runners-up in the Lions. 

KEEPING UP WITH THE GRIFFONS
Both games of the road trip will be broadcast live on KFEQ Radio. Game one will see Derek Zimmerman-Guyer and Paul Smith handle the broadcast, while game two will see the return of Tommy Rezac, "The Voice of the Griffons." Subscribers to the MIAA Network will also be able to watch the games live. 

CLARKE'S KINGDOM
Connie Clarke has been on a tear to start the year, averaging 18.1 points per game and 8.7 rebounds per game, landing her in fourth in the conference for scoring and third for rebounding. She also sits third in the MIAA, shooting 57.1% from the floor. Her two most recent games earned her MIAA Player of the Week honors, as she averaged 19.5 points and eight rebounds in wins over William Jewell and Avila.

HIGH-OCTANE GRIFFONS
Last season, the Griffons led the MIAA with just over 74 points per game on average. This season has been no different, as the Griffons lead the conference with 84.3 points per game. Not only do the Griffons lead the MIAA in scoring, they now sit seventh in the country for points per game. The high number is thanks in part to two 100-point games already this season. The Griffons put up 101 in an overtime win against No. 23 Lubbock Christian, and then more recently put up 105 against William Jewell. 

REGIONAL RACE
In this week's latest D2SIDA Central Region poll, Missouri Western is ranked eighth with 21 points. Missouri Southern stays in first with 60 points and six first-place votes.

SCOUTING PITT STATE: DEC. 1 - 5:30 PM
The Gorillas (5-1, 1-0 MIAA) have started the season off hot, winning their exhibition against DI opposition University of Missouri, Kansas City. Wins over Southwestern Oklahoma and Rockhurst followed before the Gorillas dropped a close game to Southern Nazarene. They bounced back with a win over NAIA Saint Mary, and then opened conference play on Monday with a win over Lincoln. 

Head Coach
Amanda Davied is in her fourth year as the head coach of the Gorillas. She took over the program after being an assistant for 14 years. Davied has an overall record of 73-43 as head coach of the Gorillas, including an NCAA Tournament berth in 2019. 

Who to Watch
Fifth-year guard Tristan Gregg has been a force for the Gorillas this season, averaging 16 points per game. Karenna Gerber is close behind her in points, scoring 15.2 points per game, but adding 6.5 rebounds as well. Harper Schreiner is dishing out over five assists per game, as well as snagging a team-high 7.5 rebounds per game. 

Record Rabbit Hole
The Griffons are 53-32 all-time against Pitt State. Missouri Western has only won twice at Pitt since 2016, once in 2021 and once last year on New Year's Day. Pitt holds a slight advantage at home with a 22-19 record vs. MWSU.

Last Time Out
The Griffons fell to Pitt State last time the two met, with the Gorillas winning, 79-53, on Feb. 1, 2022, in Pittsburg. The result came at the beginning  of a tough stretch to end the season for the Griffons before they made their late push to the Elite Eight last season.  

SCOUTING MISSOURI SOUTHERN: DEC. 3 – 1:30 PM
Missouri Southern is led by 2021-22 Third Team All-American selection Lacy Stokes. They haven't lost a game so far this season outside of their exhibition with Wichita State, a game that they lost in overtime. They beat Lubbock Christian to open the season and then beat Minnesota Duluth. Wins over Henderson State and Harding followed, and then Angelo State, Missouri S&T and Central Christian College. They will take on the Bearcats of Northwest Missouri before they host the Griffons.

Head Coach
Ronnie Ressel is 80-89 overall in his seventh season as head coach of MSSU. He took over in 2017, and last year was by far and away his best. He was named MIAA coach of the year and guided his team to an NCAA Tournament berth. 

Who to Watch
Lacy Stokes leads the lions with 14.4 points per game. Madi Stokes is second with 11.4 points per game to go along with 9.4 rebounds. Amaya Johns is the third Lion to average double-digits, scoring 10.1 points per game. In total, the Lions have six players chipping in at least five points per game. 

Record Rabbit Hole
The Griffons hold the advantage in the all-time series, 61-37. Missouri Western has only won in Joplin five times dating back to 2001, with Southern leading MWSU at home, 27-20. The last time the Griffons won in Joplin was Feb. 22, 2020, a 65-61 victory.

Last Time Out
The Lions took down the Griffons, 65-58, in Joplin last season. No Missouri Western player reached double-digits, but four players scored eight points. Stokes scored 32 in the win for the Lions. 

ON THESE DAYS IN GRIFFON WOMEN'S BASKETBALL HISTORY: DEC. 1-3
December 1, 2012, saw the Griffons take down Rockhurst, 67-63, at the MWSU Fieldhouse. Jallisa Lewis led the Griffons with 16 points, while Heather Howard had a double-double with 11 points and 10 rebounds. 

December 3, 2020, was another good day for the Griffons, as they took down Lincoln, 62-55. Logan Hughes scored 14 points to lead the Griffons, while current Griffon Mary Fultz finished with 11 points. 

NOTABLES

• Brionna Budgetts is five points away from scoring 700 in her career.
• Budgetts is also four made free throws away from a career mark of 100.
• Mary Fultz is two points away from 300 in her career.
• Alyssa Bonilla is four assists away from notching 100 in her career.
• MWSU's winning streak three is the third best of its kind in the MIAA.

WBCA Coaches Poll

D2SIDA Media Poll