MSSU women's season ends at Fort Hays

(From MSSU Lions Athletic News)


Hays, Kan. - The Missouri Southern Lions Women's Basketball team could not overcome another cold shooting first half as they fell 83-46 to Fort Hays State Tuesday evening at Gross Memorial Coliseum in the first round of the MIAA Post-Season Tournament.

Sixth seeded Fort Hays State (22-7) opened the game on an 8-0 run in the first two minutes before a layup from sophomore All-MIAA honorable mention honoree Desirea Buerge at the 7:23 mark got the eleventh seeded Missouri Southern Lions (11-17) on the scoreboard.

Southern cut the lead down to four on a pair of free throws from junior Julianna Wadsworth and again on a layup from sophomore Chelsey Henry but that was the closest the Lions would get. A layup from Tatyana Legette extended the FHSU lead back to six at 12-6 with a layup at the 5:44 mark and a three from Taylor Chandler pushed the Tiger lead to 15-6 & layup from Jill Faxon made it 17-6 forcing a Southern time out and the media break at 3:23.

The Tigers went on a 14-4 run over last five minutes of the opening quarter to put the game out of reach.

Second quarter opened with a three from Nikola Kacperska her fourth of the game, in their first meeting this season Kacperska went 1-for-11 from downtown. Both teams went scoreless over the next four plus minutes until a three from Kacey Kennett to make it a 20-point lead, 30-10, with 4:54 until halftime.

FHSU went on an 18-2 run before Buerge scores on a jumper from the left block with 2:50 left in the half to give Southern its first points of the second quarter.

FHSU outscored Southern 22-6 in the second to take a 46-16 lead into the locker room. The Tigers outscored Southern 20-15 in the third for a 66-31 lead after three quarters of play. Southern had gone 0-for-10 from three-point range.

The Lions had a streak of 494 straight games with a three pointer look to be in doubt until sophomore Jenson Maydew drained a three from the left wing with 9:02 to play. Maydew kept the streak alive a few games earlier with a three in the fourth quarter at Pittsburg State with 6:49 to play.

Buerge led the Lions with 17 points and seven rebounds while Maydew contributed nine points and pulled down seven boards as well.

Watch McDonald County-Cassville boys basketball at 7:30 p.m.

Share Events on The Cube

MSSU's Holcomb, Buerge receive All-MIAA honors

(From MSSU Lions Athletic News)

Kansas City, Mo. - Senior Deb Holcomb and sophomore Desirea Buerge earned All-MIAA honors as announced by the conference office Tuesday afternoon.

Despite a season ending injury agaisnt Southwest Baptist on February 9th, senior Deb Holcomb earned a second team All-MIAA nod from the league coaches on Tuesday afternoon. Holcomb finishes her career with 819 points while playing in and starting all 53 games for The Green & Gold. She also finishes her career at fourth in school history in three-point field goal percentage with a 38.1%. On the season Holcomb led the Lions with 15.6 points per game and averaged 29.7 minutes per contest.

Sophomore Desirea Buerge is currently second on the team in points per game with 12.7 per game and leads the Lions in rebounding with 6.3 boards per contest. Buerge has scored in double figures in 21 out of Southern's 28 games and tallied four double-doubles while setting a career-high with 12 rebounds against Missouri Western at home on February 15th. Buerge also leads the team in steals (37), second on the team in blocks (15), leads in field goal percentage (.483), and third in free throw percentage (.790).

Southern opens the MIAA Post-Season tournament at the 11th seed and play at sixth seeded Fort Hays State Tuesday evening at 7 p.m. The full release from the MIAA office is attached and the All-MIAA teams are listed below.

2017 All-MIAA 
Player of the Year
Kelly Moten, G, Sr., ESU

Defensive Player of the Year 
Kelly Moten, G, Sr., ESU

Freshman of the Year
Kallie Bildner, F, Fr., LWU

Co-Coaches of the Year
Lane Lord, PSU

All-MIAA First Team 
Kelly Moten, G, Jr., ESU**[r3]
Mikaela Burgess, So., G, PSU**[r2]
Paige Redmond, So., G, UCM**
Melinda Murillo, Jr., G, UCO
Chelsea Dewey, Sr., G, MWSU
**Unanimous Selection
[r2] Two time repeat First Team Selection
[r3] Three time repeat First Team Selection

All-MIAA Second Team
Megan Rosenbohm, Jr., G, SBU
Deb Holcomb, Sr., G, MSSU
Kathrynn Flott, Sr., F, ESU
Tanya Meyers, Jr., F, NWMSU
Alyxis Bowens, Sr., F, WU

All-MIAA Third Team
Hayden Herlocker, Sr., G, PSU
Michaela Barry, Jr., G, UNK
Addie Lakey, Jr., G, ESU
Rylie Torrey, So, G, NSU
Jesheon Cooper, Jr., C, UCO

All-MIAA Defensive Team
Kelly Moten, Sr., G, ESU
Paige Lungwitz, Sr., G, PSU
Kayonna Lee, Jr., F, UCM
Sefulu Faavae, Sr., F, MWSU
Jesheon Cooper, Jr., C, UCO

All-MIAA Honorable Mention 
Kayonna Lee, UCM
Megan Skaggs, UCM
Marley Anderson, UCO
Olivia Mason, UCO
Carly Heim, FHSU
Jill Faxon, FHSU
Nikola Kacperska, FHSU
Tatyana Legette, FHSU
Hunter Yoakum, LU
Kallie Bildner, LWU
Desirea Buerge, MSSU
Dwanisha Tate, MWSU
Sefulu Faavae, MWSU
Cailyn Long, NSU
Jasmine Howe, NWMSU
Shelby Lopez, PSU
Paige Lungwitz, PSU
Caylee Richardson, SBU
Erika Lane, WU

MSSU men's, women's track and field team quality eight for Division II championships

(From MSSU Lions Athletic News)

The Missouri Southern men's and women's track and field teams have qualified eight individuals for the 2017 NCAA Division II Indoor Track and Field Championships.

The event will be held on March 9-11 at the Cross Plex in Birmingham, Ala. Two from the women's squad (Allie Heckemeyer and Emily Presley), join six from the men (Bryan Burns, Kennan Harrison, Morgan Hold, Junior Joseph, Vincent Kiprop and Jordyn Manier) in making this year's championship field.

The Southern men, currently ranked sixth nationally, have eight events they will be competing in, while the women will be competing in two events.

The men will get things started off on day one as Joseph and Burns will compete in the weight throw at 4:25 pm on the Thursday while Manier will compete in the long jump at 5:05 pm on Thursday. Kiprop will close out Thursday night with the 5k at 6:30 pm.

On Friday, Heckemeyer will compete in the pentathlon with her first event beginning at 11:05 am. Harrison will compete in the triple jump at 11:55 am, while Presley will compete in the pole vault at 3:30 pm.

On Saturday, the final day of competition, Hold starts things off for the Lions as he competes in the pole vault at 2:30 pm. Burns will compete in the shot put at 3:30 pm and Kiprop will compete in the 3k at 5 pm.

Local schools to participate in Academy Outdoors Archery Shoot at MSSU

(From Southern News Service)

Local schools will participate in the Academy Outdoors Shootout from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, March 4, in Leggett & Platt Athletic Center at Missouri Southern State University.

This year’s archery tournament is sponsored by Missouri Southern, Academy Outdoors and American Whitetail. The Carl Junction, Carthage, Joplin and Sarcoxie school districts – which comprise the SW Missouri Archery Alliance – are co-hosts.

Registration is still underway. Up to 30 local schools are expected to take part. Elementary, middle- and high-school divisions will be included, along with individual competitions. Competition will include Bullseye and 3D.

Individual awards include medals and prizes, $250 gift cards for top overall female and male shooters and team trophies. Scholarships will be provided by Franklin Technology Center.

The public is invited to attend at a cost of $5 per person.

Chelsi Leggett, Carl Junction High School physical education/archery coach, says more than 250 students are registered for the 3D competition, with 800 expected to take part in the Bullseye competition.

Teams achieving sufficiently high scores will move on to the state tournament in Branson on March 24-25.
The national competition will take place in Louisville, KY, in May.

Leggett says local archery efforts are an outgrowth of the National Archery in the Schools Program (NASP), and students of all ability levels are taking part.

“Any student can find success in archery programs,” she says. “They may not win a medal or a trophy but can see huge improvements of their starting point and ending point in one season based on their scores. That in itself is very rewarding to the individual and coaches.”

Royals' Terrance Gore worked on hitting during offseason

Video- Last week in the MIAA

Video- KU's Frank Mason says goodbye on Senior NIght

MSSU men open MIAA tournament play Tuesday at Fort Hays

(From MSSU Lions Athletic News)

Hays, Kan. - The Missouri Southern Lions open the MIAA Post-Season Tournament at the sixth seeded Fort Hays State Tigers Tuesday evening at Gross Memorial Coliseum.

Game Information
Date: Tuesday February 28, 2017
Tip-Off: 7:00 pm
Location: Hays, Kan.
Site: Gross Memorial Coliseum
Series Record: FHSU leads, 28-18

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

The Series
Fort Hays State holds a 28-18 advantage over the Lions in the series history. Southern snapped a five game losing streak to the Tigers this season with a 75-64 win over then 25th ranked FHSU in Joplin on December 1. Fort Hays State holds the advantage in Hays, Kan. over the Lions at 18-4, with the Lions last win in Hays coming on Feb. 19, 2011 (62-53). Missouri Southern holds a 14-8 advantage over the Tigers in Joplin. FHSU has a 2-0 advantage on neutral sites with both meetings coming in the MIAA Post-Season Tournament, 2014 and 2016. The longest winning streak for FHSU is five, (March 6, 2014-March 3, 2016). Southern's longest winning streak is three (Feb. 20, 2010 - Feb. 19, 2011).

The Coaches
Missouri Southern
Ronnie Ressel was named the interim head women's basketball coach on March 22, 2016 after serving three years as an assistant with the women's program. Ressel is entering his 15th season as part of the athletic department at Missouri Southern, serving as an assistant with both the men's and women's programs. A 1992 graduate of Missouri Southern, he returned to his alma mater for the 2002-03 campaign after spending ten years at Rend Lake College in Ina, Ill. During his three years as an assistant for the women, Ressel had helped the team to a 57-27 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.

Fort Hays State
Tony Hobson enters his ninth season as head coach of the Fort Hays State women's basketball program in 2016-17. Hobson is one of the most successful collegiate women's basketball coaches in the nation, entering his 25th year overall with a career record of 570-183 (.757). He ranks in the top 10 in win percentage among active coaches in NCAA Division II with a four-year college win percentage of .759 (368-117). In eight seasons at Fort Hays State, Hobson has a record of 157-77.

Possible Starters
Missouri Southern (12-16)
No. Name Pos. Ht. Yr. PPG RPG Assists Steals Hometown
11 Jasmine Green G 5-6 Jr. 7.0 2.4 45 20 Katy, Texas
14 Bri Shavers-McNeace F 6-0 Jr. 3.6 2.8 11 7 Chicago, Ill.
15 Chelsey Henry G 5-10 So. 10.4 3.6 37 23 Neosho, Mo.
21 Desirea Buerge F 6-0 So. 12.7 6.3 15 37 Webb City, Mo.
23 Amelia Bramer G 5-10 R-Sr. 4.8 1.8 51 23 Mt. Vernon, Mo.

Fort Hays State (21-7)
No. Name Pos. Ht. Yr. PPG RPG Assists Steals Hometown
4 Nikola Kacperska G 5-6 Sr. 9.1 2.7 80 47 Tuszyn, Poland
13 Carly Heim G 5-7 So. 7.9 2.9 41 31 Hoxie, Kan.
23 Kacey Kennett G 6-0 Fr. 8.8 3.9 24 22 Olathe, Kan.
24 Tatyana Legette F 5-10 So. 9.9 7.8 31 31 Topeka, Kan.
32 Jill Faxon G 5-10 Sr. 11.1 5.0 25 38 Beatrice, Neb.

Quick Notes
Dialing Long Distance
The Lions have made a three pointer in 494 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 474 straight games without allowing 100+ points.

Leading At The Half
The Lions led the game at the half in 13 of 28 games this season and are 10-3 in those games.

Sharp Shooting
Southern is 9-0 when out shooting their opponents this season.

Glass Cleaners
The Lions, as a team has out rebounded 13 of their 28 opponents this season and are 8-6 in those contests.

Friendly Confines of LPAC
Southern is 160-65 inside The Leggett & Platt Athletic Center since the 2001-02 season.

Picking Pockets
When the Lions have more steals than their opponents they are 7-7 this season.

Supporting cast
Southern's bench has outscored their opponents 16 times this season and the Lions are 9-7 in those contests.

MSSU's Elyjah Clark named MIAA Freshman of the Year

(From MSSU Lions Athletic News)

Kansas City, Mo. -- The Missouri Southern men's basketball program was well-represented today as the MIAA announced its All-Conference Teams and End of the Year Awards.

Elyjah Clark was named the MIAA's Freshman of the Year today as the Edmond, Okla. native becomes the sixth Lion in the history of the program to earn that honor, joining Carlos Newberry (96-97), Carlos Escalera (99-00), Skyler Bowlin (07-08), Jason Adams (08-09), and Marquis Addison (10-11).

Clark was the highest-scoring freshman this year in the MIAA as he finished the regular season averaging 14.0 points and 4.9 rebounds, starting in all 28 games the Lions played this season. This year, he led the MIAA in three point attempts and three pointers made, while ranking second in three pointers per game. Clark ranks 33rd and 35th nationally in three point attempts and makes, respectively.

CJ Carr was a second-team selection for the Lions after leading the team in scoring from start to finish. Carr averaged 19.2 points, 5.6 assists and 2.1 steals per game, while starting in every game and averaging 36 minutes per contest. Carr put himself in the Southern record books this season as he set a new MSSU single-game record with 16 assists against Pittsburg State on Feb. 4. He also became the second-highest single game scorer in the history of the program as he scored 47 points in a double-overtime win over Minnesota State earlier this season. Carr finished the regular-season sixth in the MIAA in scoring.

Carr leads the MIAA in assists per game, steals per game, total assists, total field goal attempts, total minutes and total steals this year, while ranking third in minutes per game. He is 17th in Division II total field goal attempts, while ranking 19th in both total steals and total assists. He ranks 23rd nationally in assists per game, while ranking 26th in total minutes and 31st in steals per game.

Also earning accolades were seniors Lawrence Brown and JJ Cratit. The pair both were named honorable mention All-MIAA, as was Clark. Brown is second in the MIAA in offensive rebounds per game, while ranking third in total rebounds and rebounds per game. He averaged 9.3 points and 7.9 rebounds this season. Cratit was second on the team in scoring this year with 14.6 points per game. He averaged 3.4 rebounds per game and added in 12 blocks on the season and ranked ninth in the MIAA in scoring this season.

Northwest Missouri's Justin Pitts repeated as the MIAA Player of the Year as did Washburn's Brady Skeens as the Defensive Player of the Year. Ben McCollum was the Coach of the Year.

The Lions will be in action on Friday evening in the second-round of the 2017 MIAA Tournament in Kansas City at Municipal Auditorium. Southern will play the winner of the Fort Hays State - Northeastern State game taking place tonight in Hays.

Player of the Year
Justin Pitts, G, Jr., NWMSU

Defensive Player of the Year
Brady Skeens, F, Jr., WU

Freshman of the Year
Elyjah Clark, F, Fr., MSSU

Coach of the Year
Ben McCollum, NWMSU

All-MIAA First Team
Justin Pitts, G, Jr., NWMSU**[r3]
Rob Davis, G, Jr., FHSU[r2]
Anthony Virdure, G, Sr., LU
Brandy Skeens, F, Jr., WU
Trey Lansman, C, Jr., UNK
**Unanimous Selection
[r2] Two time repeat First Team Selection
[r3] Three time repeat First Team Selection

All-MIAA Second Team
Spencer Reaves, G, Jr., UCM
CJ Carr, G, Jr., MSSU
Zach Schneider, F, Sr., NWMSU
Chandler Diekvoss, F, So., LWU
Corbin Byford, F, Sr., UCO

All-MIAA Third Team
Jaylon Smith, G, Sr., LU
Chris Ebou-Ndow, G, Jr., NWMSU
Brandon Hall, G, So., ESU
Kyle Wolfe, F, Sr., UCM
Logan Hovey, F, Jr., SBU

All-Defensive Team
Brady Skeens, F, Jr., WU
Marquiez Lawrence, F, Sr., UCM
JaQuan Smith, F, Sr, FHSU
Bakari Triggs, G, Jr., LWU
Chris Ebou-Ndow, G, Jr., NWMSU

Honorable Mention All-MIAA
Marquiez Lawrence, UCM
Jake Hammond, UCO
Josh Holiday, UCO
Josh Pederson, ESU
JaQuan Smith, FHSU
Hadley Gillium, FHSU
Jackson Price, LWU
Elyjah Clark, MSSU
JJ Cratit, MSSU
Lawrence Brown, MSSU
Cole Clearman, MWSU
Yashua Trent, UNK
Isaiah MaKay, UNK
Ty Daneilson, UNK
Montre Williams, NSU
Anthony Woods, NWMSU
DeVonte Mosby, NWMSU
Javion Blake, WU
Brian Patterson, SBU

Crowder basketball to play host to first round Region 16 Tournament game

(From Crowder College)

The Crowder College Roughrider Basketball team will host a first round game in the Region 16 tournament Tuesday, February 28, at 7pm vs. Jefferson College.

Admission is $5 for adults and $3 for students applies to all attendees since this is a Region Tournament. The Crowder Foundation has graciously agreed to cover the cost for all students in attendance.

MSSU women's track takes third at MIAA Indoor Championship

(From MSSU Lions Athletic News)

Joplin, Mo. -- The Missouri Southern women's track and field team picked up three All-MIAA performances and two event winners as the team placed third overall in the final day of the 2017 MIAA Indoor Track and Field Championships inside the Leggett & Platt Athletic Center.

Emily Harris picked up a win in the mile, while Emily Presley continued her dominance in the pole vault winning the event. Harris wins her fifth overall MIAA Title, third in the indoor mile, with titles as well in the outdoor 1,500 and indoor 3k to her credit. She finished the race in a time of 5:03.86.

Presley won the pole vault in an NCAA Automatic Qualifying height of 13-05.0. It is her sixth-straight meet with an AQ in the pole vault and is her first MIAA Title in the event. Samantha Donnell and Mylene Loridan both finished tenth in the pole vault with heights of 11-07.25.

Other All-MIAA performances included Morgan Smith with a third-place finish in the 60m hurdles. Smith also finished fifth in the 200m with a provisional time of 25.41, while Destiny Akannam was seventh in the event with a time of 25.54. Akannam was eighth in the finals of the 400m in a time of 58.30.

Kelsey Evans and Rachel Ray placed 13th and 15th, respectively in the 600y run, while Christian Provence (6th) and Cynthia Torres (7th) earned points for the team in the 3k. Sierra Wells, Sierra Gray and Harris placed 13th, 15th and 16th, respectively in the event.

The 4x400m relay team of Smith, Akannam, Kristen Koch and Allie Heckemeyer placed seventh in a time of 4:01.44, while Heckemeyer was sixth in the long jump with Tiffany Gilford placing 20th. In their first appearance with the track and field team this season Desirea Buerge placed fourth in the shot put with a provisional distance of 45-04.50, while Jenson Maydew was 15th.

The Lions will now wait to see what marks have qualified athletes for the Division II National Championships held in Birmingham, Ala. on March 10 and 11.

MSSU men's track has two event winners, four All-MIAA performances Sunday

(From MSSU Lions Athletic News)

Joplin, Mo. -- The Missouri Southern men's track and field team had four All-MIAA performances and two event winners in the final day of the 2017 Indoor Track and Field Championships held inside the Leggett & Platt Athletic Center.

The Lions placed third overall and Vincent Kiprop finished just one point shy of earning his second-straight MIAA High Point Winner award.

Kiprop won the 3k and finished second in the mile to earn 28 points for the Lions. Kiprop's time in the 3k broke his own MIAA record in the event as he finished in a time of 8:14.34. Tyler Rush was sixth in the event to earn points for the Lions, whiel Nickson Kiptoo was ninth, Cody Berry finished 11th and Jared Haltom was 16th.

Kiprop was second in the mile as he was running in the event for the first time this season. He finished with a provisional time of 4:11.17, while Rush was eighth and Kiptoo placed ninth.

Freshman Cody Vogt won the high jump with a provisional height of 6-09.50, while Bryan Burns was second in the shot put to earn his second All-MIAA performance of the Championships. Burns was the event leader up until the final throw when he was surpassed. He had a provisional toss of 57-09.50.

In other action, Colton Gurera and Victor Encarnacion was 11th and 13th in the 600y, while Peyton Powell was 20th. Matt Willis earned points for the Lions with a sixth-place finish in the hurdles, while Jordan Manier picked up points with a fifth-place finish in the long jump, going a distance of 24-01.75. Brendan Waktins was 14th and Kennan Harrison was 15th in the long jump.

The 4x400m relay team of Willis, Gurera, Dausen Gourley and Thomas Hawkins picked up points with a seventh-place finish in a time of 3:25.06.

Pittsburg State won the team title, while Lincoln was second and Southern placed third. Central Missouri was fourth, followed by Fort Hays State, Nebraska-Kearney, Emporia State, Northwest Missouri, Lindenwood, Washburn and Southwest Baptist.

In all, the Lions earned nine All-MIAA performances at the Championships. A complete list is below.

The Lions will now wait to see what marks have qualified athletes for the Division II National Championships held in Birmingham, Ala. on March 10 and 11.

All-MIAA Performances
Bryan Burns - Weight Throw (Champion), Shot Put - 2nd
Junior Joseph - Weight Throw - 3rd
Vincent Kiprop - 3k (Champion), 5k (Champion), Mile - 2nd
Morgan Hold - Pole Vault - 2nd
Cody Vogt - High Jump (Champion)
Kennan Harrison - Triple Jump - 2nd

PSU softball sweeps home opener doubleheader from Upper Iowa

(From Pittsburg State University Athletics)

PITTSBURG -- The Pitt State softball team earned 8-0 and 10-7 wins over Upper Iowa in the team's home opening doubleheader against Upper Iowa (1-7) on Saturday (Feb. 25) afternoon at the PSU Softball Complex. The Gorillas are now 13-5 on the season.

In game one, the Gorillas scored eight runs on seven hits and pitcher Emmie Robertson struck out 10 to earn the 8-0, run-rule victory in five innings. Kala Holder and Lawren McKinney were each 2-for-3. Holder scored two runs. McKinney scored one run and earned an RBI on a double. Nicole Nease led the team with three RBI.

Pitt State scored all of its runs in the fourth and fifth innings. Holder led off the fourth with a base hit. With one out she scored on a throwing error by the Peacock short stop. They error left Jenna Bolton safe at second. Katy Remy was hit by a pitch and Kris VanHoosen walked to load the bases. Kaity Kukowski hit a base hit to riht to score Bolton. Myka Hayward was safe on a fielder's choice, as Remy was thrown out at home. Sierra Hall came in to run for Hayward. Nease blasted a double deep into center to clear the bases and put the Gorillas up 5-0.

Holder again led off the fifth, this time with a base hit down the left line. McKinney followed with a double, allowing Holder to score all the way from first. A Bolton ground out moved McKinney to third. Remy was hit by a pitch and Upper Iowa brought in Erin Drahozal to replace Emily Kisch in the circle. Van Hoosen added a base hit to right, scoring McKinney and advancing Remy to third. Kukowski was hit by a pitch to load the bases. The game ended as Hall hit a sacrifice fly to center to score Remy for the 8-0 win.

Robertson faced the minimum number of batters in the game. She allowed only one hit.

The Gorillas scored in every inning but the fifth in game two, but Upper Iowa was able to put more runners on base to make the second game much closer. Pitt State scored 10 runs on 12 hits and three Upper Iowa errors, while the Peacocks scored seven runs on seven hits and one Pitt State error.

Nine of the 13 Pitt State batters in the game got hits, while 12 were able to get on base. Hall paced the Gorillas with a 3-for-3 performance. Tiara Ewy was 2-for-3 with two runs scored and two RBI. Alicia Lowrey, Nease and Kylie Guthier each also recorded two RBI.

All four Pitt State pitchers faced batters in the game. Bree Cornett started the game and pitched 3.0 innings. She gave up three runs four hits on and struck out two. Brittany Beaudet gave up two runs and two walks. Morgan Myers gave up three hits and two runs. Robertson finished the game, throwing 3.2 innings and striking out six.

The Gorillas' first run came as a Guthier base hit scored Kaity Kukowski for a 1-0 lead.

Four runs scored in the bottom of the second. McKinney led off the inning with a base hit. She advanced to second on a passed ball. Remy reached on a fielder's choice that left McKinney out at third. Ewy hit a double to left to score Remy for a 2-0 lead. Van Hoosen walked and Kukowski was hit by a pitch to load the bases. Nease dropped a two-out base hit in left to bring home Ewy. Guthier was hit by a pitch and Holder walked, both with bases loaded to bring in two more runs.

A three-run home run by Upper Iowa's Sammy Garrett narrowed the Pitt State lead to two-runs, 5-3, in the top of the third.

Nease drew a bases loaded walk in the bottom half of the inning to make the score 6-3.

Beaudet replaced Cornett in the circle for the Gorillas in the top of the fourth. Two of the first three batters walked, prompting another pitching change, as Morgan Myers came in. Two base hits and a triple by SamiKay Shafranski scored four runs and gave Upper Iowa a 7-6 lead. Robertson came in for the Gorillas and retired the next two batters to end the inning.

Pitt State did not let the one-run deficit affect its bats. Holder led off the inning with a base hit. With two outs, Ewy added another double to score Holder and tie the game. Van Hoosen singled to right to score Ewy for the 8-7 lead.

Upper Iowa did not get another runner on base and Pitt State added two more runs on a two-run pinch hit home run by Alicia Lowrey. It was her first home run as a Gorilla.

Pitt State and Upper Iowa will face off in a second doubleheader on Sunday (Feb. 26) beginning at 11 a.m.

Pitt State women lose to Central Missouri in final regular season game

(From Pittsburg State University Athletics)

WARRENSBURG, Mo. — The University of Central Missouri women's basketball team overcame a 12-point first half deficit to rally in the second half for a 69-63 victory over No. 7 ranked Pittsburg State University in the regular season finale for both teams Saturday (Feb. 25).

Mikaela Burgess scored a game high 26 points for Pitt State, which wrapped up the regular season with a 24-4 overall record and a 16-3 MIAA mark. The Gorillas clinched their third overall MIAA regular season title and first outright conference crown with their 70-48 win over Missouri Southern Tuesday (Feb. 21).

Brenlee McPherson added 13 points for Pitt State, which shot 49.1 percent from the field in the game converting 27 of 55 shots from the floor.

UCM (22-5, 15-4 MIAA) got 21 points from Paige Redmond and 17 more from Kayonna Lee. The Jennies overcame a 33 percent shooting day (20-60) by converting 27 of 32 free throws in the contest. UCM outscored Pitt State, 27-3, at the foul line in the game as the Gorillas were whistled for 23 personal fouls in the contest.

Pitt State will return to action at 6 p.m. Friday (Mar. 3) when the Gorillas play in the quarterfinals of the MIAA Postseason Tournament. The Gorillas will wait the winner of a Tuesday (Feb. 28) match-up between No. 8 seed Nebraska-Kearney and No. 9 seed Lindenwood.

PSU women first, men third, headed into final day of MIAA championships

(From Pittsburg State University Athletics)

JOPLIN, Mo. — The distance medley relay team of Hope Manning, Olivia Boone, Sarah Jewett and Jordan Puvogel raced to an MIAA individual event title in the last event of the night to propel the Pittsburg State University women's indoor track & field team into a first place tie at the 2017 MIAA Indoor Championships Saturday (Feb. 25), while the Gorilla men head to Championships Sunday in third place in the conference standings.

The Pitt State women compiled 31 points to finish Saturday's action at the Leggett & Platt Athletic Center tied atop the MIAA leaderboard with Lindenwood University with 31 points. Misouri Southern is third with 24 points.

The Pitt State men find themselves in third place with 41 points, trailing only the host school Missouri Southern (52) by 11 points and Central Missouri (42) by one point.

Championship Sunday action begins at 11 a.m. (CST).

In the men's action, Tanner McNutt started the day by capturing an MIAA title in the heptathlon - his second league crown in three seasons. McNutt captured the MIAA title in the heptathlon as a redshirt freshman in 2015 and finished as the MIAA runner-up in 2016. Mitchell Hodson added a third-place finish in the multi-events while Jared Page placed fifth overall as the Gorillas totaled 20 points in the multi-events.

Jonathan Adamson added a fifth-place finish in the 5,000 meters in 15:04.03, while Omar Lewis (59-5.5) and Levi Wyrick (57-5.5) finished fifth and seventh in the weight throw. Conner McGuire finished fifth (15-10) and Kai Miller placed eighth (15-4.25) in the pole vault, while Louis Rollins finished seventh in the triple jump (47-3). The distance medley relay of Alexander Burson, D'Antre Eaton, Noah Gfeller and Hunter Blount placed fifth in 10:22.02.

In the women's action, Jasmine Smith placed third (57-0.75) and Brianna Cooks finished fourth (56-7.25) in the weight throw, while Amira Jenkins placed fifth in the triple jump (38-1.25). Piper Misse also finished eighth in the 5,000 meters in 17:44.99.

The Pitt State women also saw a new school record set in the prelims of the 60 meter hurdles. Emilyn Dearman and Courtney Nelson both bested Nelson's previous school record of 8.50 seconds in the discipline. Nelson was clocked in 8.43 seconds, while Dearman turned in a time of 8.38 seconds. The duo now hold the top two marks in NCAA Division II in the 60m hurdles this season.

Central Missouri slips by PSU men in regular season finale

(From Pittsburg State University Athletics)

Spencer Reaves scored a game-high 26 points to lead the University of Central Missouri men's basketball team to an 81-75 victory over Pittsburg State University in the regular season finale for both teams Saturday (Feb. 25).

The Gorillas (5-22, 3-16 MIAA) got a team-leading 15 points from R.J. Pair in their final game of the season. Isaiah Hicks added 14 points and Brandon Clifford chipped in with 10. The Mules (19-8, 13-6 MIAA) shot 50 percent in the game and got 16 points from Jakob Lowrance and 14 more from Marquiez Lawrence.

Pitt State baseball falls to Emporia State 11-0

(From Pittsburg State University Athletics)

EMPORIA, Kan. — Seth Holman scattered seven hits over seven innings of complete game work as the Emporia State University baseball team blanked Pittsburg State University, 11-0, in the MIAA opener for both squads Saturday (Feb. 25).

The Hornets (8-2, 1-0 MIAA) and Gorillas (6-6, 0-1 MIAA) will resume the three-game series with a 1 p.m. game Sunday.

ESU broke open a 1-0 game with a seven-run fourth inning.

Holman (3-0) walked none and struck out four Pitt State batters. Andrew Vogelbaugh went 2-for-3 with a double to lead the Gorillas offensive attack.

Southern women in third after day two of MIAA Track and Field

(From MSSU Lions Athletic News)

Joplin, Mo. -- The Missouri Southern women's track and field team had one All-MIAA performance and sent four through to the finals of the sprints as the Lions competed in day two of the 2017 MIAA Indoor Track and Field Championships inside the Leggett & Platt Athletic Center today.

A day after earning All-MIAA status in the pentathlon, Allie Heckemeyer was third in the triple jump with a provisional distance of 38-04.25 to earn All-MIAA status. Sierra Barrett and Tiffany Gilford placed seventh and ninth, respectively.

Morgan Smith qualified for the finals of both the 60m hurdles and the 200m dash. Smith broke her own school record in the hurdles with a qualifying time of 8.63, while Rachel Ray finished 18th. In the 200m, Destiny Akannam qualified fourth with a time of 25:08, while Smith was seventh. Akannam also qualified for the finals of the 400m dash turning in a time of 57.61. Kristen Koch and Ronise Miller placed 18th and 19th, respectively in the 400m.

In other action, Halee Cashio was 12th in the weight throw with a distance of 50-01.75, while Gilford was 16th in the 60m dash. Cynthia Torres (6th) and Christian Provence (7th) both earned points for the team in the 5k as Torres finished in a time of 17:40.53 and Provence finished in a time of 17:42.93. Gabriel Hill was 16th.

Kelsey Evans was 13th in the 600 yard, while Ray finished 15th. Sara Lin was ninth in the 800m with a time of 2:28.56. The DMR team of Shelby Werner, Koch, Lin and Sierra Wells placed sixth, earning points in a time of 12:54.29.

Lindenwood and Pittsburg State are tied for first after day two with 31 points, while Southern sits in third with 24 points. Central Missouri is fourth, followed by Southwest Baptist, Nebraska-Kearney, Fort Hays State, Central Oklahoma, Emporia State, Lincoln and Northwest Missouri to round out the team scores.

Action concludes tomorrow with a 10 am start.

MSSU men in first after day two of MIAA Indoor Track and Field

(From MSSU Lions Athletic News)

Joplin, Mo. -- The Missouri Southern men's track and field team is in first place after day two of the 2017 MIAA Indoor Track and Field Championships inside the Leggett & Platt Athletic Center.

The Lions picked up five All-MIAA performances and two event winners on the day.

Bryan Burns started things off with a win in the weight throw as he hit a provisional mark of 62-11.50. Junior Joseph was an All-MIAA honoree as he placed third with a distance of 60-09.75.

Vincent Kiprop continued his domination of the distance races in the MIAA, repeating as 5k champion this time in a time of 14:20.21, a new building record, to earn All-MIAA honors. Tyler Rush picked up points in the 5k with a fourth-place finish, while Mike Shanahan was 16th and Cody Berry placed 21st.

Morgan Hold was second in the pole vault, picking up All-MIAA honors with a provisional height of 16-02.00, while Zach Wuest finished 10th and Dean Howard was 11th.

The fifth All-MIAA honor went to Kennan Harrison in the triple jump as he narrolwly missed out on a championship in the triple jump. Harrison led after his last jump, but was passed on the final jump of the competition. He placed second with a provisional leap of 49-05.50. Freshman Brendan Watkins earned points in the event with a fourth-place finish of 47-11.25, while Jordyn Manier was 10th.

Matt Willis qualified for the finals of the 60m hurdles, turning in a time of 8.37, while Keson Payton (13th), Dausen Gourley (14th) and Warren Leak (21st) missed out on the finals in the 60m dash.

Thomas Hawkins was tenth in the prelims for the 400m dash, while Gourley was 15th in the 200m. Colton Gurera was 11th in the 600 yard run with a time of 1:15.26, while Victor Encarnacion was just behind at 1:15.92, coming in 13th. Peyton Powell placed 20th in the event.

Cristobal Renteria was 15th in the 800m, while Luis Suaste placed 18th, while Kyle Parr placed ninth in the heptathlon. The DMR team of Nickson Kiptoo, Willis, Encarnacion and Renteria placed eighth earning points for the team.

The Lions sit in first after day two with 52 team points. Central Missouri is in second with 42 points, followed closely by Pittsburg State in third with 41. Nebraska-Kearney is fourth, followed by Washburn, Northwest Missouri, Lincoln, Lindenwood, Fort Hays State, Southwest Baptist and Emporia State to round out the team scores.

Action concludes today.

MSSU baseball drops 10-7 decision to Lindenwood

(From MSSU Lions Athletic News)

St. Charles, Mo. -- The Missouri Southern baseball team scored three first-inning runs, but couldn't survive a five-run third from Lindenwood as Southern fell 10-7 in game two of the three game series in St. Charles.

Southern (8-5, 1-1 MIAA) had six players with two hits each as Alec Alvarez drove in two and Richie Gorski scored twice. Tyler Sutherland, Max Hogan, Brett Graham, Gorski, Dave Prost and Alvarez all had two hits each.

Zach Litchen started for the Lions and was saddled with the loss as he went two innings, giving up three earned runs and struck out two. Sean Goostree and Will Bausinger threw three innings in relief each.

Southern scored three in the first as Hogan, Mike Million and Gorski drove in Sutherland, Hogan and Todd Hinkley.

Lindenwood added a run in the first, and five in the third to lead 6-3 after three.

Southern scored a run in the fourth on an RBI from Alvarez, but Lindenwood got two back in the fifth before Southern got two more in the sixth on RBIs from Alvarez and Biggs.

The Lions got a final run in the ninth on an RBI from Canterbury.

The two teams will play the series finale today. First pitch is slated for noon.

Royals defeat Rangers 7-5 in spring training opener

Highlights of Mizzou's close loss to Ole Miss

Royals' Moustakas healthy, making his way through spring training

Closer Oh looking forward to second year with Cardinals

Yost expects a bounceback year from Alex Gordon

***

PSU track and field teams to compete at Joplin this weekend

(From Pittsburg State University Athletics)

PITTSBURG — The Pittsburg State University men's and women's indoor track & field teams will travel to Joplin, Mo., starting Friday (Feb. 24) for the three-day 2017 MIAA Indoor Championships hosted by Missouri Southern State University.

Friday's action, featuring the men's heptathlon and women's pentathlon, begins at 3 p.m. (CST) at the Leggett & Platt Athletic Center. On Saturday, the final four events of the men's heptathlon will start at 9 a.m. with the full meet getting under way at 1:30 p.m. Championship Sunday action starts at 10 a.m.

The men's field includes four teams ranked in the most recent USTFCCCA NCAA Division II Top 25 poll: No. 6 Missouri Southern, No. 19 Central Missouri, No. 22 Pitt State ad No. 23 Fort Hays State. Three MIAA women's squads are ranked in the top 25: No. 3 Pitt State, No. 10 Central Missouri and No. 24 Southwest Baptist.

The Pitt State men placed third at the 2016 MIAA Indoor Championships at the Robert W. Plaster Center in Pittsburg, while the Gorilla women finished as the 2016 MIAA Indoor Championships runner-up.

***

Pitt State baseball opens MIAA play against Emporia State

(From Pittsburg State University Athletics)

PITTSBURG — The Pittsburg State University baseball team will open MIAA play this weekend with a three-game series against Emporia State University at Emporia, Kan. The Gorillas and Hornets will open the series with a 2 p.m. game Friday (Feb. 24) at Glennen Field, followed by a 1 p.m. game Saturday and a Noon game Sunday.

The Gorillas enter the series with a 6-5 overall record. Pitt State took three of four games from the University of Minnesota Duluth last weekend at Al Ortolani Field in Pittsburg. The Hornets are 7-2 on the season. ESU took two of three games against Missouri University of Science & Technology, falling 7-6 in 11 innings to the Miners in its most recent action.

The Gorillas are batting .333 as a team on the young season and averaging 9.5 runs per game. Pitt State has a 7.07 team ERA to date.

Junior second baseman Dallas Reed leads the squad with a .432 batting average. Reed, who enters the ESU series on a seven-game hitting streak, has scored 18 runs and smacked five doubles and two home runs while driving in 15 runs. He earned MIAA Hitter of the Week honors for his efforts in the Gorillas' three-game series sweep of Sioux Falls on Feb. 14.

Junior shortstop Colton Pogue also is batting .400 with 15 runs scored, five doubles, three home runs and 19 RBIs, while junior catcher Ethan Schlesener is hitting .419 with one homer and eight RBIs.

On the mound, junior righthander Cody Whiting leads the starters with a 2-0 record and a 5.40 ERA in 15.0 innings of work. Junior RHP Cort Lesmeister has made a team-leading eight appearances with a 1.17 ERA and two saves in 7.7 innings of action.

***

MSSU's record-setting Lutgen receives honor

(From MSSU Lions Athletic News)

Louisville, Ky. - Missouri Southern freshman Erika Lutgen added another weekly honor today from the National Fast Pitch Coaches Association for her performance at the University of Arkansas at Monticello Eight State Classic last weekend.

Highlighted by conference and school-record performances, Lutgen finished her weekend at the Arkansas-Monticello 8 State Classic with a .526 batting average, 14 RBI, four home runs, a 1.158 slugging percentage and a .571 on-base percentage. Additionally, the first baseman was flawless in the field, playing errorless softball in 48 attempts. In Lutgen's third game of the weekend, she accounted for 10 of the Lions' 11 runs by launching a program-record three home runs and recording a Mid-American Intercollegiate Athletic Association (MIAA)-record 10 RBI against Illinois-Springfield. The MIAA Hitter of the Week also went 2-for-4 with an RBI in a upset win over then-No. 5 Southern Arkansas.

The Lions will take this week off as they prepare to host the Teri Mathis-Zenner Memorial Tournament March 4-5 at the Joplin Athletic Complex.

***

MSSU women close out regular season against Central Missouri

(From MSSU Lions Athletic News)

Joplin, Mo. - The Missouri Southern Women's Basketball team closes out their 2016-17 regular season by hosting the 21st ranked Central Missouri Jennies Thursday evening on Robert Corn Court inside The Leggett & Platt Athletic Center.

Game Information
Date: Thursday February 23, 2017
Tip-Off: 5:30 pm
Location: Joplin, Mo.
Site: The Leggett & Platt Athletic Center/Corn Court
Series Record: UCM leads, 38-23

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 is the 62nd meeting between the Lions and the Jennies and UCM leads the series 38-23. UCM won the first meeting this season, 74-47 in Warrensburg. Southern swept the season series last year winning 62-59 in Joplin and 76-73 in overtime in Warrensburg, UCM's longest winning streak in the series was six from Jan. 26, 2011 through Feb. 8, 2014. The Jennies have won eight out of the last 10 against the Lions. Southern's longest winning streak of five wins started on Feb. 26, 1992 and went through Jan. 18, 1995. UCM holds a 21-8 advantage in Warrensburg over the Lions. When in Joplin the Lions lead 15-14, and the Jennies have a 3-1 advantage at the MIAA Tournament in Kansas City.

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.

(21) Central Missouri
Dave Slifer enters his 13th season at the helm of the Jennies in the 2016-17 season. With a 227-129 record, Slifer is just two wins away from becoming the all-time winningest coach in program history. Slifer earned his 600th career win in the final game of the 2014-15 season and is 51st all-time in the NCAA with a 611-228 career record. Among active head coaches, Slifer is the seventh winningest active head coach in Division II and 30th across all three divisions. His .728 winning percentage is 16th among all active NCAA Coaches.

Possible Starters
Missouri Southern (12-15, 7-11 MIAA)
No. Name Pos. Ht. Yr. PPG RPG Assists Steals Hometown
11 Jasmine Green G 5-6 Jr. 7.2 2.4 41 20 Katy, Texas
14 Bri Shavers-McNeace F 6-0 Jr. 3.6 2.8 11 7 Chicago, Ill.
15 Chelsey Henry G 5-10 So. 10.2 3.7 36 23 Neosho, Mo.
21 Desirea Buerge F 6-0 So. 12.6 6.2 15 35 Webb City, Mo.
23 Amelia Bramer G 5-10 R-Sr. 4.7 1.7 49 23 Mt. Vernon, Mo.

(21) Central Missouri (20-5, 13-4 MIAA)
No. Name Pos. Ht. Yr. PPG RPG Assists Steals Hometown
00 Paige Redmond G 5-8 So. 16.1 3.0 96 32 Springdale, Ark.
2 Sydney Crockett G/F 5-11 So. 8.2 2.2 10 12 Fayetteville, Ark.
3 Kayonna Lee F 6-0 Jr. 8.2 8.8 35 31 Eau Claire, Wisc.
13 Kelsey Williams G 5-6 R-Jr. 6.3 2.6 65 17 Eminence, Mo.
20 Megan Skaggs G/F 6-0 Fr. 9.5 3.5 28 28 Park Hills, Mo.

Quick Notes
Dialing Long Distance
The Lions have made a three pointer in 493 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 473 straight games without allowing 100+ points.

Leading At The Half
The Lions led the game at the half in 13 of 27 games this season and are 10-3 in those games.

Sharp Shooting
Southern is 9-0 when out shooting their opponents this season.

Glass Cleaners
The Lions, as a team has out rebounded 13 of their 27 opponents this season and are 8-6 in those contests.

Friendly Confines of LPAC
Southern is 160-64 inside The Leggett & Platt Athletic Center since the 2001-02 season. 

Picking Pockets
When the Lions have more steals than their opponents they are 7-7 this season.

Supporting cast
Southern's bench  has outscored their opponents 15 times this season and the Lions are 9-6 in those contests.

***

MSSU's Kiprop named MIAA Track Athlete of the Week

(From MSSU Lions Athletic Sports)

Missouri Southern sophomore distance runner Vincent Kiprop has been named the United States Track and Field and Cross Country Coaches Association National Track Athlete of the Week, the organization announced today.

Kiprop was also named the MIAA Athlete of the Week. At Nebraska,Kiprop shattered the previous MSSU 5k record by 15 seconds as the sophomore won the event by more than a minute in a time of 13:53.94. The time is an NCAA automatic qualifying mark and is tops in Division II by nine seconds. Kiprop's time makes him the 7th-best performer in the event in NCAA Division II history.

Kiprop and the Lions will be back in action this weekend as Southern plays host to the 2017 MIAA Indoor Track and Field Championships.

***