Joplin, Mo. – The Missouri Southern women's basketball team will continue its home stand as the Lions play host to Washburn on Saturday. Tip off from Robert Corn Court inside the Leggett & Platt Athletic Center is slated for 1:30 pm.
Game Information
Date: Saturday, December 7, 2019
Tip-Off: 1:30 pm
Location: Joplin, Mo.
Site: Robert Corn Court - Leggett & Platt Athletic Center
Series: WU leads 48-28
Media Coverage
MSSU Radio: Fox Sports Joplin 101.3, 107.9 and AM 1560; 88.7 FM KXMS
Audio: https://radio.securenetsystems.net/v5/index.cfm?stationCallSign=WMBH
Webcast: https://www.themiaanetwork.com/mssulions
Live Stats: http://www.mssulions.com
Stop the Polls
The Lions were picked to finish 9th in the MIAA after going 14-16 overall and 6-13 in MIAA play during the 2018-19 campaign. Defending Conference Campions Fort Hays State was picked to win the MIAA with 10 first-place votes while Central Missouri received the other four first-place vote and was picked second. Washburn (3), Pittsburg State (4), and Emporia State (5) rounded out the top-5.
| 1 |
Drury (12) |
6-0 |
560 |
1 |
| 2 |
Lubbock Christian (11) |
7-0 |
557 |
2 |
| 3 |
Grand Valley State |
6-0 |
523 |
3 |
| 4 |
Azusa Pacific |
5-0 |
496 |
4 |
| 5 |
Fort Hays State |
6-0 |
480 |
5 |
| 6 |
Ashland |
5-0 |
460 |
6 |
| 7 |
Lee |
7-0 |
425 |
7 |
| 8 |
Saint Anselm |
5-0 |
409 |
8 |
| 9 |
California (Pa) |
7-0 |
385 |
9 |
| 10 |
Virginia Union |
5-1 |
308 |
13 |
| 11 |
Sioux Falls |
7-0 |
295 |
19 |
| 12 |
Texas A&M-Commerce |
7-0 |
273 |
20 |
| T-13 |
Alaska Anchorage |
7-1 |
269 |
10 |
| T-13 |
Indiana (Pa) |
6-1 |
269 |
15 |
| 15 |
North Georgia |
6-1 |
198 |
12 |
| 16 |
Anderson (SC) |
6-1 |
183 |
17 |
| 17 |
West Texas A&M |
7-2 |
145 |
21 |
| 18 |
Westminster |
6-1 |
142 |
23 |
| 19 |
Cal State San Marcos |
7-0 |
138 |
NR |
| 20 |
Southeastern Oklahoma State |
4-1 |
127 |
18 |
| 21 |
UC San Diego |
5-2 |
114 |
14 |
| 22 |
MSU Moorhead |
6-2 |
111 |
11 |
| 23 |
USciences |
6-2 |
96 |
16 |
| 24 |
Hawaii Pacific |
5-1 |
80 |
NR |
| 25 |
Southwestern Oklahoma State |
5-2 |
61 |
25 |
Send It Back
One goal that coach Ressel set for the Lions heading into the season was to improve on defense. Thus far as opponents try to shoot from the paint, the Lions have been preventing many shots from even reaching the rim with 55 combined blocks and a 6.88 average per contest for second and third in the nation, respectively. Both marks also place them first among MIAA programs with Northwest Missouri State trailing by 19 (37) in second.
Front and Center
After observing as a freshman and figuring things out on the court as a sophomore, junior center Zoe Campbell from Caloundra, Australia has become a force in the front court. Campbell ranks third in both total blocks (31) and blocks per game (3.88) while leading the MIAA in both categories. The Australia native currently stands tied for third all-time in career blocks (82) and set the school record for blocks in one game (7) at Harding. She is also sixth in the MIAA in rebounds per game (8.9).
Take the Long Way Home
Another dimension on the defense that MSSU wanted to sure up was around the perimeter and the team has certainly done its job by limiting opponents to 28.4-clip on 148 attempts from three-point range, which ranks fifth in the MIAA at three-point field-goal defense. The Lions defense is also ranked fourth in total field-goal defense by holding opponents to 37.2 percent shooting from the field on 524 attempts.
Picking Up the Scent: Six Components on the Opponent
Wasburn
• Picked 3rd in the MIAA preseason poll
• Return ten players, including three starters including All-MIAA recipient in senior guard Reagan Phelan (2nd Team) who is first on the team in points per game (13.7).
• The team secured for the second consecutive season a 20-win season, going 20-10 overall and 14-5 in MIAA action.
• In his 20th season at the Helm of the Ichabods, head coach Ron McHenry has recorded 14 seasons of 20 or more wins and became the winningest coach in Washburn women's basketball history surpassing Patty Dick with his 432nd victory on Dec. 18, 2018.
• Started the Conference slate by traveling down to Pittsburg, Kan. Thursday losing 84-63. Senior Guard Reagan Phelan led the Ichabods with 15 points and 10 assists on the night for her first double -double on the season.
• Currently on a three game losing streak after losing to Pittsburg State on Thursday, but did start the season 3-1 winning against Oklahoma Baptist, Bethel College and Baker University.
Last Time the Lions …
Scored 100 points 12/30/17 (vs. Graceland, W 100-44)
Allowed 100 points 2/12/00 (vs. Emporia State, L 102-60)
Scored 100 points & lost 11/23/91 (vs. Arkansas-Monticello, L 104-100)
Lost at home 12/3/19 (vs. Pittsburg State, L 68-49)
Played an overtime game 11/16/19 (at. Illinois Springfield, L 80-75)
Played multiple overtimes 12/7/17 (2 OT vs. Lincoln, W 94-90)
Had a player with 30 points 1/5/19 (at Lincoln, Chelsey Henry, 35 pts.)
Had a player with 15 rebounds 11/20/18 (at UPR Rio Piedras, Jordan Schoenberger, 15)
Had a double-double 11/26/19 (Zoe Campbell, 10 points & 11 rebounds, at Henderson State) L , 81-78
Did not make a three-pointer 11/20/99 (vs. So. Arkansas, L 73-62)
Up Next
The Lions stay home to play host to Oklahoma Wesleyan on December 17th at 5:30 pm.
