Joplin, Mo. - The Missouri Southern Lions Women's basketball team will open their MIAA schedule hosting undefeated Central Oklahoma Wednesday night on Robert Corn Court inside The Leggett & Platt Athletic Center.

The Lions (6-0, 0-0 MIAA) are coming off an impressive 60-42 win over Great Lakes Valley Conference member Illinois-Springfield. Senior Sharese Jones led the way for the Lions with 14 points while junior Deb Holcomb added 13 and freshman Chelsey Henry with 12. The Lions shot 50 percent (24-for-48) from the field while holding the Prairie Stars to just 29.2 percent (14-for-48) from the field.

The Series
This will be the 23rd meeting between Southern and Central Oklahoma with Southern holding a 14-8 advantage in the series.
In Joplin, the Lions are 7-2 after the 54-51 loss last season. Inside The Leggett & Platt Athletic Center the Lions hold a 4-1 advantage over UCO.
The longest winning streak in the series is eight games (Nov. 29, 1991 thru Nov. 16, 2001) held by the Lions. During that streak Southern was 3-0 in Joplin, 3-0 in Edmond, Oklahoma, and 2-0 on neutral sites.
The longest winning streak for UCO came at the beginning of the series. Three games from Jan. 7, 1983 thru Dec. 8, 1989.
Since UCO joined the MIAA the series is dead even at  2-2. The series is even at 1-1 both in Joplin and in Edmond, Okla.

The Coaches
UCO - Guy Hardaker 168-101 (10th Season)
MSSU - Ronda Hubbard, 45-15 (3rd Season)

Probable Starters
Central Oklahoma (4-0, 0-0 MIAA)
5    Sadie Mason    F    6-0    Fr. (Fairview, Okla.)   
11    Marley Anderson    G    5-5    Jr. (Snyder, Okla.)
12    Haley Weathers    G    5-5    Sr. (Luther, Okla.)
20    McKenzie Solberg    G    5-10    Sr. (Chandler, Okla.)
21    Julia Mason    F    5-11    Sr. ( Fairview, Okla.)

Missouri Southern (6-0, 0-0 MIAA)
11    Kenya Wilson-Brown    G    5-5    Sr. (Arlington, Texas)    
14    Tami Morice    G    5-11    Sr. (Naperville, Ill.)
24    Deb Holcomb    G    5-7    Jr. (Dallas, Texas)
30    Bri Shavers    F    6-0    So.  (Carrollton, Texas)
44    Sharese Jones    G    5-8    Sr.   (St. Charles, Mo.)