Joplin, Mo. - The Missouri Southern Women's Basketball team will open their home schedule tonight as they host NCAA Central Regional opponent Minnesota State Mankato tonight at Robert Corn Court inside The Leggett & Platt Athletic Center.

The Lions are coming off a 2-0 weekend at the MIAA/GAC Challenge in Weatherford, Oklahoma where they defeated Oklahoma Baptist 72-63 on Friday afternoon and the host Southwestern Oklahoma State 71-68 on Saturday evening. Senior Sharese Jones led Southern with 23.5 points and 7.5 rebounds per contest. Jones grabbed her first double-double of the season in the win over the Bison with 23 points and 10 rebounds. Junior Deb Holcomb averaged 16.0 points on the weekend, 22 in the game against the Bulldogs, and sophomore Bri Shavers pulled down 6.5 rebounds with 11 coming in the win over Southwestern Oklahoma State.

Series Notes
This will be the first meeting in the history of the two schools. However, the Lions are 2-0 in home openers under Coach Hubbard. They defeated Southwestern Oklahoma State 99-83 in 2013 and Oklahoma Panhandle State 83-47 last season. Overall Southern is 10-4 in home openers in the 14 years Coach Hubbard has been on the staff.

First Time Meetings
Missouri Southern is 78-49 when meeting their opponents for the first time. Last season the Lions faced Central Christian College for the first time defeating the Tigers 101-46 and in the process set a new school record for assists in a game with 33. The previous record of 32 was set against the College of the Ozarks on December 4, 1991.

The Coaches
MSU:  Emilee Thiesse, 70-22 (4th Season)
MSSU: Ronda Hubbard, 41-15 (3rd Season)

Projected Starters
Minnesota State (0-0)