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Author: Dave Riggert

MWSU’s Dandridge, Basch earn Don Hansen All-America honors

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BROOKFIELD, Ill. – The Don Hansen Football Committee released the 2018 Don Hansen NCAA Div. II All-America Team on Tuesday, with Missouri Western’s Brandin Dandridge and Tyler Basch receiving honorable mention.

Dandridge was named honorable mention as a return specialist. Dandridge was the Griffons’ primary threat on special teams, averaging 13 yards per punt return with one touchdown and a season-long return of 58 yards. He was named Don Hansen First Team All-Region as a returner and was also named to the third team as a defensive back. At cornerback, Dandridge led the MIAA with 15 passes defended and was tied for second in the conference with four interceptions.

Basch receives honorable mention All-American at kicker after being named Don Hansen Second Team All-Region. In his senior season, Basch went 13-for-17 on field goal attempts, including an MWSU record-tying 58-yard field goal in the Agent Barry Live United Bowl on Dec. 1.

The Don Hansen team carries out the legacy of long-time small college football advocate Don Hansen, who passed away at age 75 on Aug. 29, 2010. Hansen, from Brookfield, Ill., started and published Don Hansen’s National Weekly Football Gazette for three decades, selecting NCAA Division II All-America teams for the first time in 1988. Don Hansen’s Football Gazette began selecting Division II All-Region squads in 2003.

— MWSU Athletics —

Tigers’ Cunningham named SEC Player of the Week

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COLUMBIA, Mo. – Mizzou Women’s Basketball senior guard Sophie Cunningham (Columbia, Mo.) is the Southeastern Conference Player of the Week, announced by the conference office Tuesday. Cunningham averaged 23.5 points per game in Mizzou’s games against nationally-ranked Kentucky (Jan. 24) and Auburn (Jan. 27), and recorded her ninth career 30-point game Sunday.

Cunningham has now won a conference-leading 10 weekly honors in her career. This is the fourth time she has been named the SEC Player of the Week. In 2015-16, Cunningham earned a conference record six Freshman of the Week nods.

Cunningham scored 30 points and drained a season-high six three-pointers in Mizzou’s 74-65 win over Auburn Sunday, moving the Tiger senior moved into third-place on Mizzou’s all-time scoring list with 1,928 points. She surpassed Julie Helm, who scored 1,925 points from 1996-00. Cunningham also reached 200 made three-pointers in the game, becoming just the third player in Mizzou history to reach that mark.

Cunningham’s 30-point game was her second of the season, and the ninth of her career. She is the SEC’s only player this season to record multiple 30-point games, and now has the third-most 30-point games of any Mizzou player (nine), trailing only Renee Kelly’s 16 and Joni Davis’ 13. In Cunningham’s 30-point performances, Mizzou is 7-2 overall.

The Tiger senior also scored 17 points, grabbed six rebounds and dished two assists against Kentucky on Jan. 24. Cunningham was efficient in her shooting over the week, as she shot 51.9 percent from the field (14-for-27), 47.4 percent from three (9-for-19) and 83.3 percent from the free throw line (10-for-12).

Over her last four games, the two-time All-America Honorable Mention is averaging 23.5 points and 5.5 rebounds per game, while shooting 85.0 percent (17-for-20) from the free throw line. On the season, Cunningham is leading the team in scoring (16.6 ppg) and assists (3.0 apg), while grabbing 5.9 rebounds per game.

After being the nation’s only player to shoot better than 54 percent from the field, 45 percent from three and 83 percent from the free throw line in 2017-18, Cunningham has been shooting efficiently once again this season. Cunningham is shooting 48.4 percent from the field (118-for-244), 40.2 percent from three (47-for-117) and 80.5 percent from the free throw line (82-for-105).

Mizzou returns to action on Monday, Feb. 6, when the Tigers head to LSU for a road contest in Baton Rouge, La. Tipoff is scheduled for 6 p.m.

— Mizzou Athletics —

Four Bearcats earn Don Hansen All-America football honors

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BROOKFIELD, Ill. — The Don Hansen Football Committee has released the 2018 Don Hansen NCAA Division II All-America team. Northwest Missouri State University is represented by four selections on this year’s All-America listing.

Senior defensive end Austen Eskew earned third-team honors. Senior offensive lineman Zach Flott, senior defensive back Anthony Lane and sophomore defensive lineman Sam Roberts were all three named to the honorable mention squad.

The Don Hansen team carries out the legacy of long-time small college football advocate Don Hansen, who passed away at age 75 on Aug. 29, 2010. Hansen, from Brookfield, Ill., started and published Don Hansen’s National Weekly Football Gazette for three decades, selecting NCAA Division II All-America teams for the first time in 1988. Don Hansen’s Football Gazette began selecting Division II All-Region squads in 2003.

— Northwest Athletics —

KU’s Lawson earns seventh Big 12 weekly honor this season

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IRVING, Texas – Kansas redshirt-junior Dedric Lawson’s back-to-back double-doubles against nationally-ranked opponents have earned him co-Big 12 Newcomer of the Week honors in a vote by a media panel which covers the league, the conference announced Monday. This is the fourth conference newcomer of the week for Lawson and his seventh weekly award by the league in 2018-19.

Lawson opened the week scoring 29 points and tying a season high with 15 rebounds in KU’s 80-76 win against No. 24 Iowa State. The Memphis, Tennessee, forward was 13-for-17 (76.5 percent) from the field, including 2-for-2 from 3-point range, in the victory. At No. 8 Kentucky, Lawson posted 20 points and 15 rebounds in the 71-63 loss to the Wildcats. For the week, Lawson was 20-for-35 (57.1 percent), including 4-for-5 from 3-point range. Lawson earned the honor with Baylor’s Makai Mason.

A Wooden Award Midseason finalist and Sporting News Midseason All-America First Team selection, Lawson has six double-doubles in his last seven games and a Big 12-leading 14 for the season, which is tied for second nationally. He has scored 20 or more points in his last two games and 11 times this season. He is second in the Big 12 in scoring at 19.5 ppg and leads the league in rebounding at 11.1 rpg, which is eighth nationally. He is the only player in the league averaging a double-double. A three-time Big 12 Player of the Week (11/12, 11/26, 12/26) and four-time league newcomer of the week (12/3, 12/17, 1/14, 1/28), Lawson leads KU with 22 blocked shots and his 1.1 blocks per game are eighth in the conference.

Kansas (16-4, 5-2) plays at Texas (11-9, 3-4) on Tuesday, Jan. 29, at 6 p.m.

— KU Athletics —

Mahomes wins Pro Bowl MVP as AFC beats NFC 26-7

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ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) — The Pro Bowl has long been considered a laughable representation of the NFL game.

It reached a new level of comedy Sunday as several players swapped positions during the annual all-star game.

Jacksonville Jaguars cornerback Jalen Ramsey caught a touchdown pass in the final minute, capping a dominant performance for the AFC defense in a 26-7 victory over the NFC in steady rain. It was the third consecutive victory for the AFC, all of them at Camping World Stadium.

The last two were played in sloppy weather, with the latest one also coming amid temperatures in the mid-50s. It was far from ideal conditions, raising speculation about the game’s future in Orlando, but fairly fitting considering the effort players provided. It was two-hand touch most of the day, with officials blowing plays dead at the slightest hint of contact.

“Who cares, man?” New York Jets safety Jamal Adams said. “At the end of the day, we’re like little kids out there just playing in the mud, playing in the rain.”

Regardless of the elements, the AFC made the plays the NFC didn’t.

Kansas City‘s Patrick Mahomes completed an 18-yard touchdown pass to Indianapolis’ Eric Ebron on the opening possession, helping Mahomes earn the offensive Most Valuable Player award. Mahomes pleaded with voters to give it to Chiefs fullback Anthony Sherman, who caught three passes for 92 yards and ran for a score.

“Sherman had my vote. Sherman had my vote,” said Mahomes, who completed 7 of 14 passes for 156 yards. “I thought I told everybody on the camera. He made some plays out there. For a fullback, we have one of the best in the league so I’m always happy to try to get him a little vote like that.”

Adams, who made headlines for sacking the New England Patriots mascot during a Pro Bowl skills competition, was named the defensive MVP thanks to an interception and a sack.

“It’s a great achievement, but the main thing was to come out here and get the victory,” Adams said. “That was the main thing, just to get the money, man. That’s what we wanted.”

Mahomes and Adams each got a luxury vehicle.

AFC players will get $67,000 each for the victory, $8,000 more than the guys who lose the Super Bowl next week in Atlanta. The Pro Bowl losers will get $39,000 each.

The AFC defenders earned their share of the pot. The conference allowed the NFC 148 total yards and 10 first downs while intercepting three passes and notching seven sacks.

Ramsey got in on offense late, catching a 6-yard slant pass from Houston’s Deshaun Watson with 19 seconds remaining. Los Angeles Chargers rookie safety Derwin James failed to haul in the 2-point conversion.

“Man, me and Deshaun, that’s my brother from another mother,” Ramsey said. “We’ve been plotting and scheming all week, manifesting, and it just came about.”

New York Giants running back Saquon Barkley, Dallas running back Ezekiel Elliott, Tampa Bay receiver Mike Evans and New Orleans’ Alvin Kamara all got in on defense for the NFC. Evans notched an interception.

The AFC led 20-0 early in the fourth quarter, looking like it might record the first shutout in Pro Bowl history. But Dallas’ Dak Prescott found Atlanta’s Austin Hooper for a 20-yard score on fourth down with 9:09 remaining.

The NFC had plenty of chances before that. The conference failed to score on a fourth-and-goal run early. Chicago’s Mitchell Trubisky, Minnesota receiver Adam Thielen and Prescott threw interceptions.

Trubisky was sacked by Adams on a flea flicker, and Dallas’ Amari Cooper had a wide-open touchdown pass bounce off his face mask.

Seattle’s Russell Wilson also was sacked four times.

MASCOT MADNESS

Adams’ hit on the Pats mascot went viral, leading to false reports about the guy being hospitalized.

“It’s dying down now,” Adams said. “He never went to the hospital. They blew it up. It was all for the fans. I gained some fans and I gained some enemies, put it like that.”

IN-GAME HIJINKS

Indianapolis Colts tight end Eric Ebron had his phone tucked into the pocket of his sweatshirt and used it between the third and fourth quarters. Ebron took pics with opposing players, working his way around the entire NFC defense.

ANOTHER NO-CALL

Adams hugged a line judge who didn’t throw a flag on an obvious pass interference play against Green Bay receiver Davonte Adams. Davonte Adams dropped to the ground in disbelief, and several NFC teammates protested.

Players from both conferences spent the week lamenting a now-infamous no-call in the NFC title game.

INJURIES

Pittsburgh Steelers receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster and Los Angeles Chargers receiver Keenan Allen left the game with bruised knees. Neither was considered serious, although Smith-Schuster was limping on the way to the bus and declined comment. Allen caught four passes for 95 yards before sitting out.

UP NEXT

New England and the Los Angeles Rams play in the Super Bowl next Sunday.

— Associated Press —

Cunningham leads No. 25 Missouri women past Auburn

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COLUMBIA, Mo. (AP) — Sophie Cunningham scored 30 points — 21 in the first half — and No. 25 Missouri blitzed Auburn early and made it hold up in a 74-65 win on Sunday.

Cunningham scored 13 of Missouri’s first 18 points as it built an 18-0 lead. Cunningham made her first four shot attempts with three coming from behind the 3-point arc. Missouri (16-6, 5-3 SEC) didn’t score until Janiah McKay’s layup with 1:32 before the end of the first. Missouri led 23-2 at the end of one as Auburn shot 1 of 14 from the field. Missouri finished with a 17-5 rebounding advantage at the end of one.

Missouri led 43-23 at halftime and Cunningham was 6 of 9 from distance. Missouri made 11 of its 12 3s before intermission.

Auburn showed some fight late and narrowed the deficit to 69-61 on Daisa Alexander’s 3 with 89 seconds left capping a 14-3 run that started with Alexander’s 3 four minutes prior.

McKay led Auburn (15-5, 3-4) with 23 points.

— Associated Press —

Griffons rally on the road to defeat UNK 83-79

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KEARNEY, Neb. – After a Nebraska-Kearney three pointer cut the Griffons’ lead to just one point with 13 seconds remaining, Lavon Hightower nailed both free throws following a Loper foul to extend the lead to three. UNK missed the potential game-tying three on the ensuing possession, giving Missouri Western (9-11, 3-6 MIAA) a 83-79 road victory over Nebraska-Kearney (6-13, 1-9 MIAA) on Saturday.

NOTABLES

  • The Griffons held the lead for all but three minutes of a tightly-contested first half, taking a 39-35 lead into halftime.
  • Lavon Hightower was lights out for the Griffons in the first half, making all four of his shot attempts with three triples to lead the Griffons with 14 points.
  • Nebraska Kearney’s Kanon Koster gave the Lopers their largest lead of the game at 64-59 with 8:46 remaining in the game.
  • The Griffons then used a 20-9 run to take a nine-point lead with just three minutes to play.
  • After missing the free throw, the Lopers snatched the offensive rebound before passing it out to Koster who made the three pointer to bring the Lopers within one point with 13 seconds remaining.
  • Hightower sank both free throws after the Nebraska Kearney foul on the next Griffon possession.
  • Nebraska Kearney’s game-tying attempt was no good as Bryan Hudson pulled down the rebound to seal the win for the Griffons.
  • The Griffons finished with just five turnovers, their best mark this season.
  • Saturday’s win snaps a four-game losing streak for Missouri Western

LEADERS

  • Hightower stuffed the stat sheet and notched his sixth double-double of the season in the win. Hightower finished with 27 points, 11 rebounds, and four assists and shot 73 percent from the field.
  • Tyrell Carroll scored 17 points and also had four assists.
  • JJ Jones continues to improve for the Griffons in increased minutes. Jones’ 14 points and 26 minutes are both career-highs.
  • Hudson also added 14 points.
  • Nebraska Kearney’s Kanon Koster led all players in scoring, finishing with 31 points.

UP NEXT

  • Missouri Western returns to the MWSU Fieldhouse to host Missouri Southern (16-4, 7-3 MIAA) on Jan. 31.
  • The Lions edged Emporia State 80-77 on Saturday.

— MWSU Athletics —

Hudgins scores 30 to lead No. 2 Bearcats past Fort Hays State

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HAYS, Kansas – The No. 2-ranked Northwest Missouri State University men’s basketball team scored a 81-69 victory at Fort Hays State on Saturday at Gross Memorial Coliseum.

Northwest’s victory improved the Bearcats to 19-0 on the season and a perfect 9-0 in MIAA play. Fort Hays State fell to 13-6 overall and 5-3 in league play.

Redshirt freshman Trevor Hudgins notched his first career 30-point game as he tallied 30 points on 10-of-15 shooting from the floor. Hudgins knocked in all seven of his free throw attempts, while dishing out a team-high six assists.

The Bearcats made their first five shots from three-point land and overcame an early five-point deficit. The 11-6 lead for Fort Hays State marked the largest deficit that Northwest had faced since being down five to Upper Iowa on Nov. 9. Northwest responded immediately with a 13-0 run to take a 19-11 lead in the opening half. Northwest held its largest lead of the first half at 30-20 with 7:22 remaining.

Senior Joey Witthus and Hudgins carried the offensive load in the first half as they combined to put up 35 points and equal the FHSU offensive input as Northwest held a 42-35 lead at the intermission. Witthus scored 19 first-half points, while Hudgins chipped in with 16. Witthus buried his first five three-point attempts in the contest.

Freshman Diego Bernard scored all 13 of his points in the final 8:07 of the game to help the Bearcats remain perfect on the road this season.

Witthus battled foul trouble in the second half and finished with 24 points on 6-of-12 shooting from the floor, including all six makes from three-point land.

Northwest will play host to Pittsburg State on Thursday. Tip is set for 7:30 p.m. in Bearcat Arena.

NOTES: It marks the eighth straight win for Northwest over FHSU in the all-time series … the Bearcats own a 15-10 lead in the all-time series vs. the Tigers … Northwest has won 14 consecutive MIAA contests dating back to last season … Northwest also extended its road win streak to 10 in a row … the Bearcats are 71-7 in their last 78 MIAA games.

— Northwest Athletics —

MWSU women struggle offensively in 62-53 loss at Nebraska-Kearney

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KEARNEY, Neb. – The Missouri Western women’s basketball team (9-9, 4-5 MIAA) trailed by as many as 13 points in the fourth quarter Saturday at Nebraska-Kearney before chipping the deficit to just four in the final minute. However, UNK (12-7, 5-5 MIAA) made five of its final six free throws as the Griffons lost 62-53 on Saturday afternoon.

NOTABLES

  • The Griffons had their most efficient-shooting quarter in the first at 46 percent, but the Lopers still held the 20-14 advantage.
  • Both teams struggled offensively in the second quarter, combining for 20 points and 22 percent shooting.
  • The Lopers held their largest lead of the game at 15 points with under five minutes remaining in the third quarter.
  • Brittany Atkins’ jumper capped off an 18-9 run to bring the Griffons within four points with 46 seconds to play.
  • Nebraska Kearney called a timeout and made five of its final six free throws to halt the Griffon comeback.
  • The Griffons’ ability to get to the free-throw line kept them in the game, setting a new season-high with 35 free-throw attempts.
  • Missouri Western finished the game with a season-low 25 percent field-goal percentage.

LEADERS

  • Melia Richardson led the Griffons in scoring with 11 points and also added three steals.
  • Katrina Roenfeldt and Jessica Davies each scored 10 points.
  • Atkins scored all seven of her points in the fourth quarter.
  • Simone Walker set career-highs in points (9), made free-throws (7), and free-throw attempts (10).

UP NEXT

  • Missouri Western Women’s Basketball returns home to take on Missouri Southern (11-9, 3-7 MIAA) on Jan. 31.
  • The Lions have lost four-straight after falling to Emporia State on Saturday.

— MWSU Athletics —

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