Joplin, Mo. - The Missouri Southern Women's Basketball team returns home Thursday evening to open MIAA play with the 25th ranked Fort Hays State Tigers at 5:30 p.m. inside The Leggett & Platt Athletic Center.

The Series
Fort Hays State holds a 28-17 advantage over the Lions in the series history. The Tigers have won five straight over Southern including a 68-62 win in Joplin last season. Fort Hays State holds the advantage in Hays, Kan. over the Lions at 18-4, with the Lions last win in Hays coming on Feb. 19, 2011 (62-53). Missouri Southern holds a 13-8 advantage over the Tigers in Joplin. FHSU has a 2-0 advantage on neutral sites with both meetings coming in the MIAA Post-Season Tournament, 2014 and 2016. The longest winning streak for FHSU is five, which is the current winning streak for the Tigers (started on March 6, 2014). Southern's longest winning streak is three (Feb. 20, 2010 - Feb. 19, 2011).

The Coaches
Missouri Southern
Ronnie Ressel is in his 15th year on the staff at Missouri Southern and his first year at the helm of the women's program. During his three years as an assistant for the women, Ressel had helped the team to a 58-30 record and a 38-22 mark in the MIAA. In 2015-16 the team saw two players earn All-MIAA status as Sharese Jones was a first-team selection, while Deb Holcomb was a third-team pick.

Fort Hays State
Tony Hobson enters his ninth season as head coach of the Fort Hays State women's basketball program in 2016-17. Hobson is one of the most successful collegiate women's basketball coaches in the nation, entering his 25th year overall with a career record of 570-183 (.757). He ranks in the top 10 in win percentage among active coaches in NCAA Division II with a four-year college win percentage of .759 (368-117). In eight seasons at Fort Hays State, Hobson has a record of 157-77.

Possible Starters
Missouri Southern (3-4, 0-0 MIAA)
No. Name Pos. Ht. Yr. PPG RPG Assists Steals Hometown
2 Shannon Mitchell F 6-1 So. 4.0 3.9 7 2 Seligman, Mo.
15 Chelsey Henry G 5-10 So. 8.6 3.3 8 3 Neosho, Mo.
21 Desirea Buerge F 6-0 So. 9.1 5.7 2 8 Webb City, Mo.
23 Amelia Bramer G 5-10 R-Sr. 8.4 2.4 9 6 Mt. Vernon, Mo.
24 Deb Holcomb G 5-7 Sr. 14.3 3.3 13 9 Dallas, Texas

#25 Fort Hays State (6-0, 0-0 MIAA)
No. Name Pos. Ht. Yr. PPG RPG Assists Steals Hometown
3 Taylor Chandler G 5-5 Sr. 6.8 1.8 17 10 Wichita, Kan.
4 Nikola Kacperska G 5-6 Sr. 8.3 4.5 27 15 Tuszyn, Poland
23 Kacey Kennett G 6-0 Fr. 9.2 3.3 10 5 Olathe, Kan.
32 Jill Faxon G 5-10 Sr. 14.2 5.8 11 9 Beatrice, Neb.
35 Emma Stroyan F 6-2 Jr. 9.2 6.5 7 3 Bloomington, Ill.

The Last Time Out
Missouri Southern
he Missouri Southern Women's Basketball team salvaged a Thanksgiving weekend split as they defeated host Quincy University 59-54 Sunday afternoon inside the Pepsi Arena.
For the game Southern finished 20-for-59, 33.9 percent, from the floor while the Hawks shot just 35.6 percent, 21-for-59. Both teams pulled down 40 rebounds, while the Lions forced Quincy into 16 turnovers and committed just 11 themselves. Maydew led Southern with 10 points while Wadsworth and Buerge each added nine and Henry finished with eight. Henry also led Southern on the boards with eight and Maydew collected four.

#25 Fort Hays State
Fort Hays State moved to 6-0 overall with a 97-61 win over Sterling College on Saturday evening (Nov. 26). This was the final tune-up before the Tigers open MIAA play on the road next week.
 Fort Hays State had five players finish in double figures scoring, led by Jill Faxon with a near double-double of 19 points and nine rebounds. Tatyana Legette added a career-high 18. Nikola Kacperska finished with 14, while Kacey Kennett and Taylor Rolfs each had a 11. Carly Heim and Kennett tied with a team-high four assists.

Quick Notes
DIALING LONG DISTANCE
The Lions have made a three pointer in 473 consecutive games. The last time Southern did not make a shot from downtown was in a 68-53 loss to Southern Arkansas on Nov. 20, 1999.

DEFENSIVE EFFORT
The Lions have not allowed 100 points to an opponent since Emporia State defeated Southern 102-60 on Feb. 12, 2000. That is 453 straight games without allowing 100+ points.

LEADING AT THE HALF
The Lions led the game at the half in 17 of 29 games last season and were 15-2 in those games.

SHARP SHOOTING
Southern is 1-0 when out shooting their opponents this season.

GLASS CLEANERS
The Lions, as a team has out rebounded 4 of their 7 opponents this season and are 2-2 in those contests.

FRIENDLY CONFINES OF LPAC
Southern is 154-60 inside The Leggett & Platt Athletic Center since the 2001-02 season.

PICKING POCKETS
When the Lions have more steals than their opponents they were 13-3 last season.

OOPS WE DID IT AGAIN!
Southern has forced their 6 of their 7 opponents into more turnovers and are 3-3 in those contests.