Joplin, Mo. - The Missouri Southern women's basketball team faces off against rival Pittsburg State tomorrow at 5:30 pm inside Leggett & Platt for the final home game of the regular season.
 
Game Information
Date:  Tuesday February 20, 2018
Tip-Off: 5:30 pm
Location: Joplin, Mo.  
Site: Leggett & Platt Athletic Center
Series Record: PSU leads: 49-41
 
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. Pittsburg State  
This is the 91st meeting between the rivals, the second most played series in Southern history. Pitt State holds a 49-41 advantage, with the Gorillas winning five-straight and six of the last seven with the last Lions victory back in 2015. The Lions look to rebound against Pitt State after falling to them inside JLA earlier this season by 20 points, despite finishing with four players registering double figures in scoring with Dru Clark (16), Chelsey Henry (16), Desirea Buerge (14), and Julianna Wadsworth (11). The Good news is that they are 23-20 in Joplin heading into today's contest. Southern's longest winning streak was eight games from December 12, 1974 thru February 24, 1978. Pitt State's longest winning streak was at 10 from January 28, 1998 thru February 13, 2002.
 
Possible Starters
Missouri Southern (11-14, 8-9 MIAA)
No.            Name                                            Pos.          Ht.             Yr.            PPG          RPG          Assists       Steals        Hometown
1                Dru Clark                                      G               5-7             R-Jr            9.7            4.7              65              24            Collinsville, Okla. 
3                Julianna Wadsworth                     G               5-8             Sr.              4.0             2.3             28              26              Oswego, Ill. 
15              Chelsey Henry                             G               5-10           Jr.              18.3            3.5             34               11              Neosho, Mo. 
21              Desirea Buerge                            F                6-0             Jr.              20.0            8.5             14              18             Webb City, Mo.
31              Jenson Maydew                           F                5-11           Sr.                9.3             7.6             24              6                Pratt, Kan.
 
Pittsburg State (21-5. 14-3 MIAA)
No.            Name                                           Pos.          Ht.             Yr.            PPG           RPG          Assists      Steals        Hometown
11              Shelby Lopez                               G/F             6-0             Jr.             11.0            3.3             37               20              Wichita, Kan.
14              Paige Imhoff                                 G               5-10           Sr.             10.0           3.6             154             57              Smithville, Mo.
15              Mikaela Burgess                           G               5-7             Sr.             16.0           3.6             56              31              Webb City, Mo.
23              Brenlee McPherson                     G/F            5-11            Jr.             10.0            3.8             49               16              Carl Junction, Mo.     
32              Madison Northcutt                        F                5-11           Jr.               8.9             9.2             20              19              Wichita, 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.
 
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 448 of 577 attempts from the free throw line for second in the conference in free throws made and remained third in the MIAA in FT percentage (.776). They continue to shoot nine percentage points higher than their opponents (80-71%) 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 71 percent in 25 games for sixth in the conference. 
 
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 an 18.3 ppg clip (44-percent), including a career-high 29 points versus Northeastern State and nine other 20-point games. Henry is coming off the 2016-17 season as the third leading scorer for the Lions as a sophomore (10.3) and is currently fourth in the MIAA in scoring, sixth in field-goal percentage and free-throw percentage (86.9). 
 
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 20.0 (48.2-percent) in 21 games after recording 12 20-plus point games and nine double-doubles during the season, including a 25-point and ten-rebound performance at Missouri Western. Buerge is second in the MIAA leader in scoring, fourth in field-goal percentage, sixth in free-throw percentage (86.9), and seventh in rebounds (8.5).
 
She Works Hard for the Rebound
Senior forward Jenson Maydew is currently 12th on the MIAA rebounding leader board (7.6). She had a career-high 23 points and 12 rebounds against Missouri Western for her third double-double of the season a month ago, while adding her fourth double-double in the loss to Southwest Baptist (14 pts & 10 rebs) to extend a career-high for double-doubles in a season. Maydew has registered 34.3 minutes of playing time for third and as one of four players to average over 34 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 27 games combined and started in four games each. Campbell is third on team with blocks, while Catalan has scored 48 total points and registered 15 assists in 170 minutes. 
 
Up Next
The Lions travel for regular-season finale against the top-ten ranked Central Missouri Jennies on Thursday, Feb. 22 at 5:30 pm.