Joplin, Mo. - The Missouri Southern Women's Basketball team returns home for a Wednesday night MIAA contest with the RiverHawks of Northeastern State. Tip off from Robert Corn Court inside The Leggett & Platt Athletic Center is scheduled for 5:30 p.m.

Game Information
Date: Wednesday January 25, 2017
Tip-Off: 5:30 pm
Location: Joplin, Mo.
Site: The Leggett & Platt Athletic Center/Robert Corn Court
Series Record: NSU leads, 15-13

Media Coverage
MSSU Radio: ESPN Joplin/Lions Sports Network
Internet Audio: mssulions.com
Webcast: portal.stretchinternet.com/mssu/
Live Stats: sidearmstats.com/mssu/wbball

The Series
This will be the 29th meeting between the RiverHawks and the Lions. NSU leads the overall series 15-13. Southern snapped the longest winning streak at that time of either team when they handed the RiverHawks an 80-77 overtime loss in Tahlequah, Okla. on Jan. 11, 2014. The Lions have now won four in a row over Northeastern State with a 73-55 win in Joplin in the first round of the MIAA Post-Season Tournament last season. The Lions have tied the longest winning streak in the series with four in a row starting on Jan. 11, 2014 (80-77) at Tahlequah. The previous longest winning streak was three in a row and ran from November 18, 2006 through November 28, 2008. Since joining the MIAA NSU is 2-4 against the Lions and 1-3 in Joplin with a 69-45 win on Jan. 26, 2013.

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.

Northeastern State
Randy Gipson is currently in his 18th campaign at the helm of the Northeastern State women's basketball program. He entered the 2016-17 season with a combined 309-184 record as head coach of the RiverHawks. He has recorded 14 winning seasons in his 17 years at NSU, and he has led his program to seven appearances in the NCAA Championship. His NSU women's basketball teams have earned two NCAA Sweet 16 appearances (2004, '10), while advancing to the NCAA Second Round two of the last three seasons (2011-12).

Possible Starters
Missouri Southern (10-9, 5-5 MIAA)
No. Name Pos. Ht. Yr. PPG RPG Assists Steals Hometown
11 Jasmine Green G 5-6 Jr. 7.3 2.4 34 13 Katy, Texas
15 Chelsey Henry G 5-10 So. 9.9 3.9 24 15 Neosho, Mo.
21 Desirea Buerge F 6-0 So. 11.9 6.0 12 21 Webb City, Mo.
24 Deb Holcomb G 5-7 Sr. 16.9 3.1 38 26 Dallas, Texas
31 Jenson Maydew F 5-11 Jr. 8.2 5.8 24 8 Pratt, Kan.

Northeastern State (6-11, 2-7 MIAA) 
No. Name Pos. Ht. Yr. PPG RPG Assists Steals Hometown
4 Alexis Hill G 5-6 Jr. 3.9 4.2 55 18 Garland, Texas
20 Cailyn Long G 6-0 So. 14.7 4.2 22 9 Sparta, Mo.
21 Rylie Torrey G 5-11 So. 17.6 2.6 29 7 Locust Grove, Okla.
22 Kylie Looney G 5-8 So. 8.2 2.4 33 11 Adair, Okla.
34 Hailey Chamberlin F 6-2 So. 1.4 2.5 7 3 Broken Arrow, Okla.

Quick Notes
DIALING LONG DISTANCE
The Lions have made a three pointer in 485 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 465 straight games without allowing 100+ points.

LEADING AT THE HALF
The Lions led the game at the half in 10 of 19 games this season and are 8-2 in those games.

SHARP SHOOTING
Southern is 8-0 when out shooting their opponents this season.

GLASS CLEANERS
The Lions, as a team has out rebounded 9 of their 19 opponents this season and are 7-2 in those contests.

FRIENDLY CONFINES OF LPAC
Southern is 158-61 inside The Leggett & Platt Athletic Center since the 2001-02 season.

PICKING POCKETS
When the Lions have more steals than their opponents they are 5-4 this season.

SUPPORTING CAST
Southern's bench has outscored their opponents 11 times this season and the Lions are 8-3 in those contests.