JOPLIN, Mo. - The Missouri Southern women's basketball team faces off against the Lincoln Blue Tigers for second meeting between these two teams this season on Saturday at 1:30 pm.
 
Game Information
Date: Saturday January 13, 2018
Tip-Off: 1:30 pm
Location: Jefferson City, Mo.  
Site: Jason Gym
Series Record: MSSU: leads 32-5
                           
Media Coverage
MSSU Radio: Fox Sports Joplin 101.3, 103.5 FM, and AM 1560; 88.7 FM KXMS
Audio:  http://radio.securenetsystems.net/v5/WMBH
Webcast: http://www.themiaanetwork.com/mssulions/
Live Stats: http://www.sidearmstats.com/lincolnu/wbball/xlive.htm

The Series vs. Lincoln
This is the 38th meeting between Southern and the Blue Tigers. The Lions holds a 32-5 overall advantage over Lincoln, including a 13-4 record against the Blue Tigers in Jefferson City. The Lions are 17-1 in Joplin against Lincoln and 7-1 inside The Leggett & Platt Athletic Center. In the last meeting, MSSU outlasted LU in a double-overtime thriller, 94-90, in the team's first overtime game since their first meeting in 1977. Lincoln's 90 points is the most allowed by the Lions defense thus far during the 2017-18 season. Southern had three players finish with 20-plus points for first time this century. Junior forward Desirea Buerge recorded a double-double after scoring a team-high 28 points and grabbing 12 rebounds. Junior guard Dru Clark added carrier-high 23 points, while Chelsey Henry rounded it out for 20 points. Senior forward Jenson Maydew contributed with eight points and ten rebounds in the victory. Since Lincoln rejoined the MIAA in 2010, Southern holds an 11-2 advantage over the Blue Tigers entering Saturdays contest.
 
Possible Starters

Missouri Southern (8-7, 5-2 MIAA)
No.             Name                                             Pos.            Ht.              Yr.             PPG          RPG      Assists        Steals          Hometown
1                Dru Clark                                         G                5-7             R-Jr             9.9             4.3            37              11              Collinsville, Okla. 
3                Julianna Wadsworth                        G                5-8              Sr.               3.9             2.1            19              14              Oswego, Ill.
15              Chelsey Henry                                 G               5-10             Jr.              17.4            3.4             26                6              Neosho, Mo. 
21              Desirea Buerge                                F                6-0               Jr.              20.4            8.3               9              10             Webb City, Mo.
31              Jenson Maydew                               F                5-11             Sr.              11.1            8.4             16                5               Pratt, Kan

Lincoln (3-12, 0-7 MIAA)
No.             Name                                             Pos.            Ht.              Yr.            PPG          RPG       Assists        Steals          Hometown
3                Lajanea Kimbrough                         G/F             5-10           Jr.               8.7             5.0             17                6            Kansas City, Mo. 
5                Faith Brintle                                     G                5-7             Fr.               9.4             2.1             30              23             Alta Vista, Kan.
12              Bre Colman                                     F                 6-2             Jr.               8.9             7.3               3              12              Cypress, Texas
15              Kailey Foster                                   G                5-8             Sr.               1.4             2.1             10                9              Orland Park, Ill.
23              Citali Lopez                                     G                5-7             Sr.              11.9            4.5              44              24                Whiting, Ind.

Quick Notes
Veteran Leadership
MSSU returns seven players from last year's squad (three seniors and four juniors) to provide leadership for one sophomore and five freshmen entering their first season with the Lions.

MIAA Pre-Season Poll
The Lions were selected to finish 11th in the conference entering the 2017-18 season. No. 13 ranked Central Missouri received the most first-place votes, followed by the 2016-17 regular season champion Pittsburg State who was picked second. No. 11 ranked and winner of the last five MIAA tournaments Emporia State was picked third by the coaches and media back in mid-October.
 
The Streak Is On
Since losing to Nebraska-Kearney back on Dec. 2, the Lions have rattled off seven-straight wins and stand tied for fourth in the MIAA (5-2). Southern achieved the feat of seven before reaching eight in back-to-back seasons (2013-14/2014-15). Both streaks began with the first game of the season compared to this squad hitting its stride at the halfway point of the schedule. The Lions wrap up their two-game road trip against Lincoln, before returning home new week for a pair of games against Washburn and Emporia State.
 
MOSO Makes Them All, OPPO Hits the Wall
Down the stretch, MSSU has converted on one of the most important situations in sports: free throw shooting. Lions have made 262 of 339 attempts from the free throw line for first in the conference in free throws made and remain third in the MIAA in FT percentage (.773). They continue to hold a double-digit advantage by shooting 10 percentage points higher than their opponents (78-68%) inside Leggett Platt, including a season best 27-for-28 (.964) from the line versus Graceland. Their opponents for some reason are not faring well with the pressure, being limited to 68.5 percent in 15 games as one of six teams to hold opponents under 70 percent for a tie in third, despite allowing teams 292 opportunities (fifth most in the MIAA).
 
Henry the 15th I am I am
Junior guard Chelsey Henry has scored rapidly throughout the season, currently second on the squad in scoring at a 17.4 ppg clip (46-percent), including a career-high 27 points versus Northwest Missouri St. and four other 20-point games. Henry is coming off the 2016-17 season as the third leading scorer for the Lions (10.3) and is currently fourth in the MIAA in scoring, fifth in free-throw percentage (88.4), and eighth field-goal percentage.
 
Let the Buerge Hit The Floor
Since returning to game action, junior forward Desirea Buerge has played out of her mind for the Lions thus far by leading the team in points 20.4 (52-percent) in 11 games after recording six 20-plus point games during the season. Buerge is at the top of the MIAA leader board in scoring, sixth in field-goal percentage and free-throw percentage (88.2), eighth in minutes played (31.5), and ninth in rebounds (8.3).
 
She Works Hard for the Rebound
Senior forward Jenson Maydew moved up another spot on the MIAA rebounding leaderboard in seventh by keeping pace with eight rebounds against Lindenwood. Prior to that, she added a career-high 23 points and 12 rebounds against the Griffons for her third double-double of the season, which was a career-high for double-doubles in a season. Maydew remains third in the MIAA in minutes played per game (33.6) as one of four players to average over 33 minutes.

Welcome Back Fritz  
Missouri Southern Women's Basketball head coach Ronnie Ressel announced the addition of former Lion Kelby Fritz to the coaching staff for 2017-18. Fritz began her playing career at Missouri Southern State University (09'-12') where she averaged 10 points per game. She continued her collegiate carrier in 2012 at Rogers State University. After college, Fritz helped Northeastern Oklahoma A&M (NEO) to a National Junior College (NJCAA) Division 1 Region 2 and District B title this past season. The 29-3 Lady Norse entered the national tournament as the 11 seed and defeated 22nd seeded Iowa Western 73-47 in the opening round at the Rip Griffin Center in Lubbock, Texas. While at NEO, Fritz was responsible for game preparation, scouting, game day duties, recruiting, strength and conditioning, and all aspects of team travel for the Lady Norse.

International Love 
Coach Ressel and his staff went outside the country on the recruiting trail as they signed two freshmen from overseas. 6'3 center Zoe Campbell comes way of Australia, while 5'7 guard Ines Catalan Mateos is from Spain. Both have seen in 21 games combined and started in four games each. Campbell is tied for second on team with eight blocks, while Catalan has scored 46 total points and registered 15 assists in 161 minutes. Both players have five steals on the season.

Up Next
The Lions return home for its lone match up against the Washburn Ichabods (12-3) this season on Wednesday, Jan. 17 at 5:30 pm.