ST. JOSEPH, Mo. – Missouri Western men's basketball (11-5, 3-3 MIAA) is set to conclude a four-game road stand with a pair of pivotal MIAA rematches against Fort Hays State (10-4, 3-2 MIAA) and Nebraska-Kearney (5-8, 3-2 MIAA).
Action begins this Thursday at 7:30 p.m. at Gross Memorial Coliseum, when the Griffons will face FHSU in Hays, Kansas. The Griffons defeated the Tigers at home on January 4, 47-44. Since then, Hays has secured a 69-44 victory against Emporia State. Senior Kaleb Hammeke continues to lead the team, averaging 14.9 points per game.
The week will conclude with a matchup against UNK in Kearney, Nebraska, on Saturday at 4:00 p.m. from the Health & Sports Center. Similar to the Tigers, the Lopers have played only once since their last meeting with the Griffons, when they claimed a 75-69 victory inside the MWSU Fieldhouse. Last time out, they edged Emporia State in a closely contested 69-67 win on the road. Watch for DeAundre Samuels, who leads his team with an average of 12.9 points per game.
Tommy Rezac will call both contests. Pregame coverage will begin 30 minutes before the game, live on the Varsity Network App and at
GoGriffons.com/listen.
WATCH - MIAA NETWORK
All MIAA football, women's soccer, volleyball, men's basketball and women's basketball, baseball and softball regular season conference games will be streamed live on the MIAA Network. The MIAA Network showcased over 1,500 live broadcasts for its 14 member schools last season. For more information, visit
https://www.themiaanetwork.com/.
LISTEN - GRIFFON SPORTS NETWORK (Varsity Network App & GoGriffons.com/listen)
Live streams of Missouri Western athletics are now available on The Varsity Network app! All home and away football and men's and women's basketball games will be available to listen to for FREE on the Varsity Network App and at
GoGriffons.com/listen. Available on iPhone and Android, fans can access free audio streams for game days on the Varsity Network App. Fans can also receive push notifications as reminders for upcoming games and broadcasts.
Once you download The Varsity Network app, search 'Missouri Western' and select which Griffon teams you want to follow. For more information on The Varsity Network and how to listen to the Griffons,
click here. Audio broadcasts can also be found at
GoGriffons.com/listen. Audio broadcasts will also be archived at
GoGriffons.com/listen in the 'On Demand' section, and on the
Griffon Sports Insider Podcast, which is available on Spotify, Apple and wherever you podcast.
MIAA STANDINGS
| School |
Conf |
CPct. |
Overall |
Pct. |
Streak |
| Washburn |
6-0 |
1.000 |
15-0 |
1.000 |
W15 |
| Rogers State |
4-2 |
.667 |
13-5 |
.722 |
W3 |
| Northeastern State |
4-2 |
.667 |
10-5 |
.667 |
L1 |
| Pittsburg State |
4-2 |
.667 |
8-7 |
.533 |
W1 |
| Fort Hays State |
3-2 |
.600 |
10-4 |
.714 |
W1 |
| Nebraska Kearney |
3-2 |
.600 |
5-8 |
.385 |
W3 |
| Missouri Western |
3-3 |
.500 |
11-5 |
.688 |
W1 |
| Newman |
3-3 |
.500 |
10-5 |
.667 |
W1 |
| Missouri Southern |
3-3 |
.500 |
8-7 |
.533 |
L1 |
| Central Oklahoma |
2-4 |
.333 |
8-7 |
.533 |
L2 |
| Central Missouri |
2-4 |
.333 |
7-8 |
.467 |
L2 |
| Northwest Missouri |
2-4 |
.333 |
4-11 |
.267 |
L1 |
| Arkansas-Fort Smith |
1-5 |
.167 |
7-8 |
.467 |
W1 |
| Emporia State |
1-5 |
.167 |
4-11 |
.267 |
L5 |
TOP GRIFFON PERFORMERS
Senior transfer
Zane Nelson is excelling this season with the Griffons, leading the team with 251 points and shooting 45% from the field. His average of 15.7 points per game ranks fourth in the conference, while his 70 assists are tied for third in the league.
Zion Swader is having a tremendous senior season. He is averaging 11.2 points per game on 46% shooting. His 31 steals rank fifth in the MIAA. Additionally, the Murfreesboro, Tennessee native has recorded 74 rebounds and 36 assists.
Senior
Julius Dixon tops the Griffs with 95 rebounds, ranking fifth in the MIAA. Senior
Kiani Saxon has recorded 21 blocks, tying for third in the MIAA, while senior
Justin Bubak boasts a 42% shooting percentage and is 32-of-37 (87%) from the free-throw line.
HOME SWEET HOME
Following this week's games against the Lopers and Tigers, the Griffons will head home for a four-game homestand starting next Wednesday against Central Missouri and continuing on Saturday against top-ranked Washburn.
