Missouri Southern women to play host to Washburn

(From MSSU Lions Athletic News)

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

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

Washburn

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.

Up Next

The Lions stay home to play host to Oklahoma Wesleyan on December 17th at 5:30 pm.