Western had its three game winning steak snapped on Saturday, December 4 in Emporia, Kan. falling to the Lady Hornets 79-69 in Emporia, Kan. The Griffons are 3-2 overall and 1-1 in league play. The Griffons defeated the Pittsburg State Gorillas last Wednesday in the fieldhouse by a score of 73-55 with Jessica Koch leading the charge scoring 19 points. Koch poured in a career high 27 points on a career high 11 field goals. The Lions are 3-3 on the season and 1-1 in MIAA action coming off a 74-62 victory over the Central Missouri Jennies last Saturday in Joplin. The Lions fell in their opening MIAA contest on the road against the Truman State Bulldogs by a score of 71-58. Jasmine Lovejoy led the Lions in both games scoring 18 points against Truman and 23 against the Jennies. The Lions are 3-1 at home this season while the Griffons are 0-1 on the road.
Top two in the MIAA:
The top two scorers in the MIAA will face off against one another on Wednesday night in the fieldhouse. Jasmine Lovejoy leads the MIAA scoring 20 points per game while Jessica Koch is second averaging 19.6 points per game. Lovejoy is first in the conference in field goal percentage making 67.9-percent (38-58) of her shots while Koch is third making 53.0-percent (35-66) of her field goal attempts.
Griffon in Joplin in the Plett Era:
The Griffons are 1-2 overall under Lynn Plett in Joplin, Mo. The Griffons upset Missouri Southern when they were ranked 16th back on January 5, 2008. Western bet the Lions 74-72 behind 25 points from Janique Javois. Jill Johnson posted a double-double scoring 19 points and collecting 10 rebounds. The Griffons fell on December 31, 2008 by a score of 58-57 as a last second shot from Lauren Nolke bounced of the rim. Nolke had 17 points while Koch dumped in 10 and Tierra Ford pitched in 12. Last season the Griffons fell 87-64 on January 6, 2010. Koch led the way scoring 20 points on 12-of-15 from the field. Jolea Apon led the Lions with 35 points making 11-of-19 three point attempts.
Last victory for the Griffon in Joplin:
The last victory for the Griffons in Joplin came on January 5, 2008 by a score of 74-72 when Southern was ranked 16th in the country. Western led at half 33-30 and held on down the stretch for the two point victory. Western shot 44.3-percent (27-61) from the floor and forced 19 turnovers. Javois made 9-of-18 field goal attempts while Johnson made 7-of-13. The Loins shot 53.8-percent (28-52) from the floor with Fatai Hala’ Api’ Api dumping in 26 points on 12-of-14 shooting. She only shot 2-of-9 from the free throw line. Ela Zawadka dumped in 14 on 5-of-9 shooting for the Lions.
Last time the Griffons won three straight games:
The last time Griffons won three straight games was in 2006-2007 but those games were vacated due to NCAA violations. The last time the Griffons won three straight games legitimately was in 2005-2006. They lost the first game of that season against Northeastern State and then rattled of ten straight victories before losing to Empoira State on January 4, 2005 by a score of 61-60 in St. Joseph, Mo. Western also lost 85-84 in overtime at Emporia on February 22, 2006.
Scouting the Griffons:
The Griffons have averaged 72.2 points and given up 62.6 points per game. Western has shot 40.4-percent (133-329) from the field and 29.6-percent (37-125) from long range. The Griffons have made 58-of-80 free throw attempts and have been out rebounded 43.2 to 42.6 per game. The Griffons have 71 assists on the season to go along with 72 turnovers and 42 steals. The Griffons are led by Jessica Koch averaging 19.6 points per game. Rachel Luteyn is averaging 10.2 points per contest. Lauren Nolke and Brenna Saline have chipped in 11.2 and 10.6 points per contest. Saline leads the squad at 8.6 rebounds per game while Luteyn is collecting 6.0 per contest. Koch has 19 assist and 16 steals while Luteyn has blocked 12 shots.
Series vs. the Lions:
The Lions and the Griffons have met 75 times on the hardwood in the history of the two schools, almost twice yearly since the first meeting, an 83-62 Griffon victory during the 1976-77 season. Western holds a 52-23 over the Lions, including an outstanding 29-2 record in the MWSU Fieldhouse. When on the road, the stakes are a little more evenly matched, with the series being tied a 16 in game played in Joplin. In games played at a neutral site, the Griffons are 7-5 all time against the Lions. Western and Southern split last season as the Griffons won the first game, 78-62 on December 30, 2009. Koch led the charge with 24 points while Brittany Casady poured in 14. Western fell on February 6, 2010 in Joplin by a score of 87-64. Koch dumped in 20 points while Jolea Apon poured in 35.
About the Opponent:
The Missouri Southern Lions have won three of its last four games after starting the season 0-2. The Lions fell at Arkansas-Fort Smith on November 16 opening the season with a 72-70 lose. Lovejoy led the charge with a double-double scoring 36 points and snaring 15 rebounds. The Lions then fell at home to Northeastern State on November 22 by a score of 67-50 with Erin Rice dumping 19 points and Michelle Hedgecock snaring eight rebounds. The Lions then won two straight defeating Avila 71-46 on November 26 and Evangel 67-61 on November 27. Hedgecock led the charge against Avila with 27 points while Lovejoy and LaTice Jones scored 20 against Evangel. The Lions lost its MIAA opener at Truman State by a score of 71-58 in Kirksville and defeated the Central Missouri Jennies 74-62 on December 4 in Joplin. Lovejoy led the way with 18 and 23 points respectively. On the season the Lions have outscored its opponents 223 to 195 in the second half. The Lions average 65 points per game and give up just 63.2. MSSU is shooting 41.2-percent (134-325) from the field with Lovejoy leading the MIAA making 67.9-percent (38-56) of her field goal attempts. Southern shoots just 25.2-percent (27-107) from long range and 69.9-percent (95-136) from the free throw line. They have been out rebounded 33.8 to 32.7 per game and have turned the ball over 96 times. Lovejoy leads the Lions on the boards averaging seven per game while Hedgecock average six per game. Larrita Gipson has dished out 19 assists while Hedgecock has 13 steals.
Second Half Dominance:
The Missouri Western women are dominating their opponents in the second half outscoring them by a total of 24 points. The Griffons were outscored in the second half in both of its losses. Against Emporia State Western was outscored by 11 (46-35) but Jessica Koch dumped in 17 points on 6-of-9 shooting. In their last victory the Griffons outscored the Gorillas 37-30 on the way to victory. Lauren Nolke dumped in 13 second half points on 5-of-8 shooting. The Griffons outscored the Rockhurst Hawks 44-31 in the last contest in the second half behind 11 second half points from Jessica Koch. Against Upper Iowa in the QU Subway Tipoff Classic the Griffons outscored the Peacocks 47-24 in the second half with 13 points coming from Rachel Luteyn in the second frame. The Griffons also outrebounded the Peacocks 30-18 with 10 coming on the offensive end of the floor. In the first game of the season against Northern Michigan the Griffons were outscored 38-30 in the second half with Koch dumping in 9 second half points.
Balance Throughout the Lineup:
The Griffons have four players scoring seven or more points with all four players scoring in double figures. On the boards the Griffons have three players snaring five or more rebounds per contest with Saline leading the charge with 8.6 per game. Western has four players with 10 or more assists and one player with 16 steals. Four Griffons are shooting 40.0-percent or better from the field while they different Griffons are shooting 70-percent or better from the free throw line. Two Griffons had 14 offensive rebounds while ten Griffons have snared at least one offensive rebounds this season.
Leading at the Half:
The Griffons have picked all three of its victories when leading at the half. Western has led by 10 against Upper Iowa, nine against Rockhurst and 11 against Pittsburg State. Western was up one in its last contest against the Lady Hornets.
Get that out of here:
Western has had six blocked shots in two of its last three games. The Griffons have 17 on the season and have had at least one blocked shot in all five games. Luteyn has 12 blocks on the season while five other Griffons have recorded one.
Dishin out Dimes:
The Griffons have been very giving this season recording 71 assists on its 133 field goals. Four different Griffons have 10 or more assists with Jessica Koch dishing out 19. Lauren Nolke, Kallie Schoonover and Brenna Saline have 14, 11 and 10 respectively Nine different Griffons have at least two assists this season.
Stealing the Show:
Western has recorded 15 more steals than its opponents recording 8.4 per game. Jessica Koch has recorded 16 on the season while Brenna Saline has six steals. Five other Griffons have three or more.
Coming up Next:
The Griffons will return home on Saturday, December 11 to take on the Fort Hays State Tigers in a matinée. Tip time is set for 1:30 pm from the MWSU Fieldhouse. The Tigers enter the week 5-1 overall and 2-0 in MIAA action.
No comments:
Post a Comment