MENS BASKETBALL OPENS UP MIAA PLAY AT HOME AGAINST PITTSBURG STATE

Setting the Scene:
The Griffons are coming off of a tough week last week going just 1-2 in road regional games. Western opened the week defeating the Quincy Hawks by a score of 92-88 and then fell twice in the Fairfield Inn Invitational hosted by Central Oklahoma. Western fell to the Southwestern Oklahoma Bulldogs 79-70 in the first ever meeting between the two school and then fell to the 10th ranked Central Oklahoma Bronchos by a score of 92-86. The Griffons come into the game with a 2-3 overall record. The Gorillas are 4-0 on the season coming off a 64-61 victory over Missouri S&T in Rolla, Mo. on November 28. The other three victories came against Central Bible College, College of the Ozarks and Newman University. The Gorillas are 1-0 on the road and 2-0 on a neutral floor this season while the Griffons are 1-1 at home.  

The Last Time against the Gorillas in a home MIAA opener:
The last time the Griffons played the Gorillas in a home MIAA opener was on December 3, 2008. Western defeated Pittsburg State 86-75 behind 23 points from Dominique Thuston. Western had four other players in double figures with James Bush and Lonnel Johnson dumping in 15 points apiece while Marcus Rhodes and Leonard Parker chipped in 10. Western made 10-of-19 long range shots in the game. The Gorillas were led by Carlos Taylor as he dumped in 33 points on 13-of-21 shooting. Spencer Magana dumped in 12 points.

Last season against the Gorillas in the MIAA opener:
Last season the Griffons opened the MIAA season on the road against the Gorillas. The Griffons defeated the Gorillas 80-77 on December 2, 2009 in John Lance Arena. Western was led by Marcus Rhodes with 19 points while James Bush, Dominque Thuston and Justin Taylor dumped in 16, 12 and 13 respectively. The Gorillas were led by Spencer Magana with 26 points while CJ Masters scored 19 and Rodney Grace pitched in 13. Western made 20 free throws and nailed 10-of-23 from long range.

Last season in the Griffon home MIAA opener:
Last season the Griffons defeated the Emporia State Hornets in its MIAA home opener by a score of 89-62 in front of 1691 fans in the fieldhouse on December 5, 2009. Seven different Griffons scored in double figures with Quentin Noblin, James Bush, Martin Nolan and Justin Taylor all scoring 13 points. Dominique Thuston pitched in 12 while Marcus Rhodes and Brandon Beck each scoring 10. The Hornets were led by Tim Niles with 18 points while Jeremiah Box pitched in 10. Western outscored the Hornets 47-24 in the second half on their way to victory.

Scouting the Griffons:
So far this season the Griffons are averaging 80.8 points per contest but giving up 82.4 points per game. Western is shooting 45.5-percent (132-290) from the field and 36.8-percent (50-136) from long range. Western is shooting free throws well making 70.9-percent (90-127) of its chances. The Griffons have been outrebounded 37 to 41.2 per game but have 80 assists on its 132 field goals. The Griffons have blocked 18 shots and have 38 steals on the season. Jonathan Phelps leads the way for Western with 20.6 points per game while P’Allen Stinnett is dumping 17.6 points per contest and TJ Johnson is scoring 15 points a game. Johnson leads the Griffons on the boards averaging 7.6 per game. Stinnett has 26 assists and 11 steals on the season while Johnson has dished out 18 assists. Johnson is shooting 51.2-percent (21-41) from the field while Jeffery West has made 55.6-percent (5-of-9) of his long range shot. Johnson has made 31-of-41 free throw attempts while Stinnett has connected on 16-of-22 attempts.

The Series: Missouri Western holds the series edge 36-26 , including a 21-9 lead in games played in St. Joseph. MWSU also has won four of the last five at home. The Griffons have won the last four match-ups.

The Coaches vs. Each program:
Head Coach Tom Smith is 20-21 at Western against the Gorillas while this will be the first ever meeting against coach Kevin Muff. Since the year 2000 Coach Smith has led his team to a 14-9 overall record against the Gorillas. Smith and the Griffons are 8-4 in the MWSU Fieldhouse against the Gorillas and 6-5 when playing in Pittsburg, Kan. in John Lance Arena.

About the Opponent:

This season, the Pittsburg State men came racing out of the gates, winning the first four games on the schedule.  Pitt State is 1-0 at home, 1-0 on the road and 2-0 on a neutral floor. The Gorillas opened the season defeating Newman University on November 16 in Pittsburg, Kan. by a score of 95-68 with JaVon McGee leading the charge with 16 points and 12 rebounds. PSU then defeated College of the Ozarks 91-73 and Central Bible College 75-45 before sneaking by Missouri S & T on November 28 by a score of 64-61 in Rolla, Mo. Logan Jones and Chris Ware are averaging 12.3 points per contest with four other Gorillas averaging seven points or better. Ware averages 6.5 rebounds per game while Andra Bailey snares 8.5 per contest. Jones has 16 assists while Jordan Embers has 10. As a team the Gorillas are shooting 50.4-percent (122-242) from the field and 35.1-percent (20-57) from long range. The Gorillas are also making 70.1-percent (61-87) of its free throws. The Gorillas have dominated the rebounds snaring 44.8 to its opponents 28.0 per game. PSU has 57 offensive rebounds to go along with 122 defensive. PSU had 57 assists to go along with 39 steals on the season.

In MIAA Home Openers Since 1989-90:
The Griffons are 18-3 in home MIAA openers since joining the league. Western is 2-1 against Pittsburg State when opening MIAA at home against the Gorillas. Western lost against the Gorillas in 1996 by a score of 76-73. Western then beat the Gorillas 87-76 on January 5, 2000 and beat the Gorillas in 2008. Western has won its last six home MIAA openers.

In MIAA  Road Openers Since 1989-90:
The Griffons are 12-9 in road MIAA openers since joining the league. Western is 1-2 on the road against the Gorillas when opening up road MIAA action. Western’s lone victory came last season by a score of 80-77. Western lost to the Gorillas on December 10, 2005 by a score of 80-60 and on January 3, 2001 by a score of 64-61.

In MIAA  Openers Since 1989-90:
Western is 30-12 in MIAA openers since joining the MIAA. Western has won its last three MIAA openers.

Shooting the long ball:
The Griffons average 10 three points baskets a game. Western has made 36.8-percent (50-136) from beyond the arc. The Griffons are led by Jonathan Phelps sinking 40.8-percent (20-49) from long range. P’Allen Stinnett has made 10-of-25 from long range which included seven against Avila. Jeffery West has made 5-of-9 from long distance.

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 four of the Griffons five games.

Sixth Man:
Phelps had been a spark plug off the bench scoring in double figures in all five games which included a career and season high 28 against Michigan Tech. He has scored twenty or more points in three of the Griffons five contests.