The Griffon men’s basketball team has struggled as of late losing four of its last five games and sit at 3-5 overall and 1-2 in MIAA action. The Griffons will take on its second undefeated team in as many games and the second ranked opponent of the season. Western fell on Wednesday night in Joplin, Mo. by a score of 85-71 against the Missouri Southern Lions which marks its second straight loss and fourth straight loss away from the fieldhouse. Western’s only MIAA victory came on Wednesday, December 1 as they opened up MIAA play with a 94-79 victory over the Pittsburg State Gorillas. The Fort Hays State Tigers are ranked 6th in the latest NABC poll as they enter the contest 9-0 overall and 3-0 in MIAA play. The Tigers are coming off a road victory against the Washburn Ichabods by a score of 70-58 last Wednesday. Fort Hays opened up MIAA play defeating Lincoln and Nebraska-Omaha at home last week. Western upset the Tigers last season in the fieldhouse by a score of 75-69 on February 1, 2010. Western is just 12-7 all-time in St. Joseph against the Tigers.
Leading the MIAA:
Junior transfer Jonathan Phelps is leading the MIAA in scoring this season dumping in 22.1 points per contest. Phelps has scored in double figures in every game for the Griffons and has score 20 or more points in six of the Griffons eight games. He had a career high 31 points against Emporia State and tied an MWSU record with eight three point baskets. Phelps comes off the bench for the Griffons and averages 4.6 three pointers per contest which also leads the MIAA.
Last victory for the Griffon over FHSU:
Last season the Griffons were able to upset the highly powered Tigers on February 1, 2010 in the fieldhouse. The Tigers came into the contest ranked 3rd in the nation and the Griffons were able to come away with the six point victory (75-69). Five different Griffons scored in double figures on the night with James Bush leading the way with 14 points and seven rebounds. Quentin Noblin and Marcus Rhodes scored 13 points while Dominique Thuston scored 12 and Mike Dewalt scored 10. The Tigers were led by Dominique Jones with 14 points while Corbin Kuntzsch, Willie Hassell and Dijon Smith scored 13, 11 and 10 respectively. Western shot 50-percent (24-48) from the field and made 23-of-32 free throw attempts.
Scouting the Griffons:
So far this season the Griffons are averaging 79.8 points per contest but giving up 83.4 points per game. Western is shooting 45.9-percent (215-468) from the field and 37.8-percent (85-225) from long range. Western is shooting free throws well making 70.7-percent (123-174) of its chances. The Griffons have been outrebounded 35.0 to 39.6 per game but have 127 assists on its 215 field goals. The Griffons have blocked 28 shots and have 59 steals on the season. Jonathan Phelps leads the way for Western scoring 22.1 points per game while P’Allen Stinnett is dumping 17.4 points per contest and TJ Johnson is scoring 13.4 points a game. Johnson leads the Griffons on the boards averaging 7.0 per game. Stinnett has 31 assists and 15 steals on the season while Johnson has dished out 32 assists. Johnson is shooting 52.4-percent (33-63) from the field while Phelps has made 44.0-percent (37-of-84) of his long range shots. Johnson has made 39-of-53 free throw attempts while Stinnett has connected on 21-of-27 attempts.
The Series:
This will mark the 37th meeting between the two school with the Tigers holding a 24-12 advantage. The two teams split the season series last season each winning on their home floor. The Griffons have won three of the last five with two coming on its home floor. They have won the last two games in St. Joseph. Western is 7-12 in St. Joseph and 1-0 on a neutral floor. Western is just 4-12 in games played in Hays.
The Coaches vs. Each program:
Head Coach Tom Smith is 5-6 against the Tigers. Smith won his first ever game against Fort Hays State by a score of 76-63 in St. Joseph in the 1988-1989 season. The Griffons would fall to the Tigers later that year by a score of 72-71 in Hays. Western went 1-1 last season against the Tigers. Mark Johnson the coach of the Tigers is 5-4 all-time against the Griffons.
About the Opponent:
The 6th ranked Tiger men have opened the 2010-2011 season on a roll winning its first nine contests which includes three MIAA games. The Tigers are coming off of a road victory against Washburn by a score of 70-58 in Topeka. The Tigers have not had an easy schedule as all but two games have been against Division II opponents. The Tigers opened the season in Bartlesville, Okla. to take on two Lone Star opponents. The Tigers defeated Midwestern State 81-76 on November 12 and then beat Southwestern Oklahoma State 83-68 on November 13. The Tigers have also defeated Nebraska-Kearney, Newman, Lincoln, Nebraska-Omaha and most recently Washburn. The Tigers two NAIA opponents were Bethany College (Kan.) and Sterling College. The Tigers have a balanced attack with four players scoring in double figures. Dominique Jones leads the charge dumping in 17.4 points per games. He also leads the team with 58 assists and 16 steals. Dijon Smith, Ken Bowman and Corbin Kuntzsch have scored 13.3, 12.6 and 11.0 points respectively per contest. Bowman leads the charge on the boards snaring 7.1 rebounds while Kuntzsch is snaring 6.3 per contest. As a team the Tigers shoot the ball well making 53.3-percent (282-529) of its field goals and 37.8-percent (68-180) of their long range shots. They outrebound their opponents 39.7 to 31.1 and have 178 assists on their 282 field goals. They have outscored their opponents by an average of 12.4 points in the first half and 10.3 in the second half. They score 89 points per game and hold the opponent to 66.2 points per contest.
Second Half Struggles:
The Missouri Western men’s basketball team has struggled in the second half this season getting outscored 384 to 347. The Griffons have been outscored in the second half in five of its six games which includes four of the five losses. Western got outscored 43-33 in their 85-71 loss against the Lions on Wednesday.
Shooting the long ball:
The Griffons make on average 10.625 three points baskets a game. Western has made 37.8-percent (85-225) from beyond the arc. Western is launching an average of 28.13 long range shots per contest. The Griffons are led by Jonathan Phelps sinking 44.0-percent (37-84) from long range. Phelps leads the conference making 4.625 per game. He also shoots 10.5 per contest. Phelps tied the MWSU record for most long range shots in a game on Saturday, December 4 against the Hornets making 8-of-15 attempts. P’Allen Stinnett has made 15-of-38 from long range which included seven against Avila.
Double-Doubles:
TJ Johnson has recorded two double-doubles on the season coming against Avila and Central Oklahoma. Johnson had 17 points and 11 rebounds in both contests. Johnson has scored in double figures in six of the Griffons eight games.
Sixth Man:
Phelps had been a spark plug off the bench scoring in double figures in all eight games which included a career and season high 31 against Emporia State. Phelps has led the Griffons in scoring in six games. He has scored twenty or more points in six of the Griffons eight contests. He leads the MIAA in scoring dumping in 22.1 per game.
Griffon Success when scoring 90 or more points:
Western has scored 90 or more points in three games this season. When the Griffons score 90+ points they are 3-0 with victories coming against Avila, Quincy and Pittsburg State. When they score 90 or less points the Griffons are 0-5. Western has had a 20 points scorer in all eight games this season. Western has had a 30 points scorer twice (Avila and Emporia State).
Griffon Success when giving up 90 or more points:
When the Griffons give up 90 or more points they are 0-2 this season. The Griffons lost to 10th ranked Central Oklahoma 92-86 and to Emporia State 91-69.
Countdown to 600:
Missouri Western men’s basketball coach Thomas Smith is just ten wins away from 600 in his career. With 10 more wins this season Smith will achieve yet another milestone.
Coming up next:
Western will return to action on Sunday, December 19 for an afternoon match up with the Washburn Ichabods in St. Joseph, Mo. Game time is set for 3:30 pm in the MWSU Fieldhouse.
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