JOPLIN, Mo. - The Missouri Southern women's basketball team brings its eight-game winning streak back to Leggett & Platt to face off against the Washburn Ichabods in the team's only meeting of the season tomorrow at 5:30 pm.
Game Information
Date: Wednesday January 16, 2018
Tip-Off: 5:30 pm
Location: Joplin, Mo.
Site: Leggett and Platt Athletic Center
Series Record: MSSU: leads 47-28
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/mssu/wbball/
The Series vs. Washburn
The Ichabods hold a 47-28 overall advantage over the Lions entering the 76
th meeting between the two programs. The Lions are 17-19 in Joplin against Washburn and are 5-10 inside The Leggett & Platt Athletic Center, while only being 11-28 in Topeka, Kan. The Lions snapped a four-game losing streak at Lee Arena on Dec. 6, 2015 as they upset then seventh-ranked Washburn 66-62, and followed that up with a win during the 2015-16 season 73-67 to make it two in a row against the Ichabods. Southern has won three of the last five meetings, but Washburn has won three of the last four inside Leggett &Platt entering Wednesdays contest. The Lions fell to WU by eight in the teams' only meeting last year (70-62). Senior guard
Jasmine Green had 13 points, while junior forward
Desirea Buerge poured in 12. Forward
Jenson Maydew and guard
Chelsey Henry each added nine points in the loss.
Possible Starters
Missouri Southern (9-7, 6-2 MIAA)
No. Name Pos. Ht. Yr. PPG RPG Assists Steals Hometown
1 Dru Clark G 5-7 R-Jr 9.5 4.2 40 13 Collinsville, Okla.
3 Julianna Wadsworth G 5-8 Sr. 4.1 2.3 19 15 Oswego, Ill.
15 Chelsey Henry G 5-10 Jr. 17.9 3.2 27 6 Neosho, Mo.
21 Desirea Buerge F 6-0 Jr. 19.6 8.4 10 11 Webb City, Mo.
31 Jenson Maydew F 5-11 Sr. 10.6 8.2 16 5 Pratt, Kan.
Washburn (12-4, 4-3 MIAA)
No. Name Pos. Ht. Yr. PPG RPG Assists Steals Hometown
1 Axelle Bernard F 6-2 Sr. 9.4 8.2 40 10 Awans, Belgium
3 Reagan Phelan G 5-6 So. 13.9 3.9 35 37 Holyrood, Kan.
4 Taylor Blue F 5-10 Jr. 8.2 3.3 23 6 Glendale, Ariz.
13 Cara Donley G 5-9 So. 3.8 1.8 11 7 Salina, Kan.
15 Alexis McAfee G 5-8 So. 10.1 5.8 36 27 Sabetha, Kan.
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 eight-straight wins and stand tied for third in the MIAA (6-2). Southern achieved the feat of eight in back-to-back seasons (2013-14/2014-15). The last time the Lions won nine in a row was back in the 2007-2008 season where they once again began with the first game of the season compared to this squad hitting its stride at the halfway point of the schedule.
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 288 of 369 attempts from the free throw line for second in the conference in free throws made and remain third in the MIAA in FT percentage (.780). 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 68.8 percent in 16 games as one of four teams to hold opponents under 69 percent for fourth in the MIAA, despite allowing teams 301 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 17.9 ppg clip (47-percent), including a career-high 27 points versus Northwest Missouri St. and six other 20-point games. She was named MIAA Athlete of the Week for her back-to-back 20-point performances against Lindenwood (23) and Lincoln (26), while recording a perfect 15-for-15 stand at the free-throw line. 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, fourth in free-throw percentage (89.6), and seventh in 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 19.6 (52-percent) in 12 games after recording six 20-plus point games and six double-doubles during the season. Buerge is at third on the MIAA leader board in scoring, sixth in field-goal percentage and free-throw percentage (86.7), and seventh in rebounds (8.4).
She Works Hard for the Rebound
Senior forward
Jenson Maydew is currently ninth on the MIAA rebounding leaderboard. She added a career-high 23 points and 12 rebounds against Missouri Western for her third double-double of the season, which was a career-high for double-doubles in a season. Maydew is sixth in the MIAA in minutes played per game (33.1) as one of six 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 23 games combined and started in four games each. Campbell is tied for second on team with ten blocks, while Catalan has scored 48 total points and registered 15 assists in 170 minutes.
Up Next
The Lions conclude their two-game home stand against Emporia State University on Saturday, Jan. 20 at 1:30 pm.
