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Author: Dave Riggert

Griffon softball picked second in preseason MIAA coaches poll

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riggertMissouriWesternMIAA coaches voted Missouri Western softball No. 2 in the 2014 Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association Preseason Coaches’s Poll which was released Friday morning. The Griffons finished third last season with a 38-16 overall record and 20-8 MIAA record.

The Griffons received 156 points and one of the 14 first place votes, as they were behind defending National Champions Central Oklahoma who received 169 points and 13 first place votes. The Bronchos finished last season with a 51-11 overall record and 23-3 record in MIAA play.

In third place was Fort Hays State who received 138 points while Emporia State and Northeastern State sit in 4th and 5th with 130 and 115 points respectively. The Pittsburg State Gorillas come in 6th with 111 points with Central Missouri and Northwest Missouri close behind in 7th and 8th with 95 and 93 points respectively.

Sitting in the 9th spot are the Lions from Missouri Southern with 73 points. Lindenwood and Washburn are 10th and 11th with 63 and 51 points while Nebraska-Kearney, Lincoln and Southwest Baptist round out the final three spots in the poll. The Lopers sit in 12th with 40 points while Lincoln sits in 13th with 25 points and Southwest Baptist in 14th with 15 points.

The Griffons open up the 2014 season on Friday, February 7 in Durant, Okla. The Griffons will play six games in three days, participating in the Southeastern Oklahoma State South Central Shootout.

The Griffons will take on Harding University and Arkansas Tech University on Friday, February 7 at 12:00 pm and 4:00 pm. They will take on host Southeastern Oklahoma State on 10:00 am and Henderson State at 2:00 pm on Saturday, February 8 and will wrap up the shootout on Sunday, February 9 with games against Drury University and Cameron University at 10:00 am and 12:00 pm.

2014 MIAA Softball Preseason Coaches Poll
1. Central Oklahoma (13)      169
2. Missouri Western  (1)       156
3. Fort Hays State                    138
4. Emporia State                      130
5. Northeastern State             115
6. Pittsburg State                     111
7. Central Missouri                  95
8. Northwest Missouri            93
9. Missouri Southern              73
10. Lindenwood                      63
11. Washburn                         51
12. Nebraska-Kearney         40
13. Lincoln                              25
14. Southwest Baptist          15

— MWSU Sports Information —

Kansas City signs Aaron Crow to one-year contract

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Kansas City Royals relief pitcher Aaron Crow (43)The Kansas City Royals announced Friday that the club has agreed to terms on a one-year contract with right-handed pitcher Aaron Crow for the 2014 season, avoiding arbitration.

Consistent with club policy, terms of the contract were not disclosed.

Crow, 27, posted a 7-5 record last season with a 3.38 ERA (18 ER in 48.0 IP) in 57 relief appearances.  His seven victories out of the bullpen were tied for second in the American League, trailing only the eight victories by Texas’ Neal Cotts.

In his three-year career with the Royals, Crow is 14-10 with three saves and a 3.19 ERA in 187 outings.  He was named an All-Star in 2011 during his rookie season.

The signing of Crow leaves the Royals with just one unsigned arbitration-eligible player: right-handed pitcher Greg Holland.

— Royals Media Relations —

Missouri Western’s baseball series at Harding canceled this weekend

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riggertMissouriWesternThe Missouri Western baseball opening series scheduled for this weekend in Searcy, Ark. against Harding University has been canceled due to the very poor weather forecast.

The series will not be made up.

The Griffons will hope to open their 2014 schedule next weekend in Russellville, Ark. against the Arkansas Tech Wonder Boys.

The two teams will play doubleheaders on Saturday, Feb. 8 and Sunday, Feb. 9. First pitch for both days is scheduled for 1:00 pm.

— MWSU Sports Information —

Bearcats outlast Lindenwood to win seventh straight game

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NWMSUNorthwest Missouri State men’s basketball team put in a workmanlike effort in its 63-61 victory over Lindenwood Thursday evening at Hyland Arena.

“This was a grind-it-out game,” said Northwest forward Grant Cozad. “We knew we were going to get Lindenwood’s best shot. They have been playing well.

“On the road like this, we love it. We knew it was going to be a dogfight. That is what we like.”

While lacking the heart stopping theatrics of their buzzer-beating victory over Missouri Southern last week, the outcome was every bit as impressive for the Bearcats.

To win a conference championship, a team needs to pull out gritty road wins. That is what Northwest did against a Lindenwood team that was playing with pride. For much of the game, the Lions didn’t look like a team with a losing overall record and only three wins in 11 conference games.

“This was a great victory,” said DeShaun Cooper, who finished with a game-high 18 points. “When you come into an environment like this and get a victory, it is great.

“They had a great game plan. They were holding the ball and when they got offensive board, they did it again. They wasted as much time as they possible could. This is a great win. I’m proud.”

Lindenwood forced the Bearcats to make some plays and hit some free throws in the final 2 minutes to snatch a road win.

Because the Bearcats made five of six free throws in the final 15 seconds, they improved to 15-5 overall and 10-1 in the MIAA.

Northwest only has a day to rest before it hits the hardwood again on Saturday at home against Lincoln. A year ago, Lincoln came into Bearcat Arena and shocked the Bearcats.

“We will be ready,” Cozad said. “Lincoln got us last time at home. We need to be ready because they will be ready for us. We got to come out and play our best.”

Northwest played well in the final 10 minutes against Lindenwood.

There were eight lead changes in the second half. The Bearcats took the lead for good at 46-45 on an inside basket by Dillon Starzl with 9 minutes left.

“We needed to get a stop,” Cooper said. “We weren’t getting any stops in the first half. We pride ourselves on defense and we were letting their offense overtake our defense. We had to lockdown on defense.”

The Bearcats extended their lead to 54-48 and seemed to have gained control of the game. A free throw by Cooper with 2:07 left helped Northwest maintain its six-point lead at 57-51.

Lindenwood made one more push and closed to 57-56. Cooper made three of four free throws that gave Northwest a slight cushion at 60-56. The Lions followed with a basket. Bryston Williams made two more free throws. Lindenwood responded with a three-pointer with 4 seconds left.

With a 1-point lead, Cozad made the first of two free throws. The Lions still had a chance, but a three-point attempt by Garrett Reeg clanked off the side of the iron at the buzzer, allowing Northwest to win another nail biter.

“Coop came up with some real clutch free throws and so did Bryston towards the end,” Cozad said. “Those were key for us keeping that lead.”

Northwest probably felt good going into halftime trailing 28-27. It could have been worse.

The Lions put together a spurt near the end of the first half and turned an 18-18 tie into a 26-18 advantage.

At that point, the Bearcats played some of their best basketball of the half. It started with a three-pointer from Zach Schneider followed by an inside bucket from Cooper and another scoring drive from Williams.

Lindenwood scored once more to make it 28-25 and then Northwest had its most impressive stretch. On three different occasions, the Bearcats grabbed the offensive rebound. The final one resulted in a 7-foot jumper by Conner Crooker with 1 second left before halftime.

For the most part, it was a struggle for the Bearcats in the first half. They shot 41 percent from the field while allowing Lindenwood to make half its shots.

“We played all right in the first half and turned it up in the second half,” Cozad said. “We battled through it and came out with a victory.”

— Northwest Sports Information —

Missouri Western baseball picked 2nd in preseason MIAA poll

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riggertMissouriWestern League coaches voted Missouri Western No. 2 in the 2014 Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association Baseball Coaches’ Preseason Poll released Thursday morning. This marks the second consecutive season that the Griffons were ranked second in the preseason poll. Last season the Griffons won their first ever MIAA Title finishing with a 40-12 overall record and 28-5 record in MIAA play. The 40 victories was a school record.

The Central Missouri Mules received 12 of a possible 14 first place votes earning the top spot with 168 points. Central Missouri finished second in the MIAA a season ago earning a trip to the NCAA Central Regional.

Missouri Western who had their best season in school history earns the No. 2 spot with one first place vote and 144 points. The Griffons are ranked 17th in the Collegiate Baseball Newspaper preseason poll. The Griffons are followed by No. 3 Central Oklahoma who received the final first place vote and 139 points. The Bronchos finished last season with 29-19 overall record and 23-16 record in MIAA play.

The Emporia State Hornets and the Missouri Southern Lions are tied for the 4th spot with 128 points. The Lions are coming off a season where they earned a spot in the NCAA Regional by upsetting the Griffons in the championship game of the MIAA Tournament.

The Pittsburg State Gorillas come in 6th with 110 points while the Lindenwood Lions and Northeastern State RiverHawks come in 7th and 8th with 98 and 94 points respectively. Fort Hays State sits comfortably in 9th with 73 points while Nebraska-Kearney sits 10th with 57 points.

Northwest Missouri State (11th), Washburn (12th), Southwest Baptist (13th) and Lincoln (14th) wrap up the final four spots with 49, 37, 34 and 15 points respectively.

Griffon Baseball team opens the 2014 regular season on the road this weekend in Searcy, Arkansas as they take on Harding in a four game series.  Doubleheader action begins on Saturday at 12 PM followed by a 1 PM start on Sunday.  The Griffs set a school record for wins a year ago going 40-12 and qualified for the NCAA Tournament for the second time.  Saturday’s opponent Harding was picked to finish sixth in the Great American Conference this season and was 29-22 a season ago.

The Griffs open the home schedule at the Spring Sports Complex on Friday, February 21 as they host Northeastern State at 2 PM.

1. Central Missouri (12)         168
2. Missouri Western (1)         144
3. Central Oklahoma (1)         139
T4. Emporia State                    128
T4. Missouri Southern            128
6. Pittsburg State                     110
7. Lindenwood                         98
8. Northeastern State             94
9. Fort Hays State                   73
10. Nebraska-Kearney          57
11. Northwest Missouri         49
12. Washburn                         37
13. Southwest Baptist           34
14. Lincoln                              15

— MWSU Sports Information —

Northwest Missouri State women get road win at Lindenwood

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NWMSUAs well as Northwest Missouri State women’s basketball team shot the ball, it was the defensive intensity and passion the Bearcats played with throughout that was most impressive.

The Bearcats never trailed in beating Lindenwood 70-59 Thursday evening at Hyland Arena in game they absolutely needed.

The victory lifted Northwest to 6-12 overall and 3-8 in the MIAA.

In resounding fashion, the Bearcats proved they no longer resemble the team that lost 80-74 at home to Missouri Southern a little over a week ago.

“I have to give a little props to this team because after the Missouri Southern loss, they got together in the locker room,” Northwest coach Michael Smith said. “They knew how much they let down in that game. Honestly, we have had great practices since then. I felt like our energy and focus the last few days of practice has been the best it has been all year.

“I told our kids that we have nine games left and that is it. You are going to miss this. You need to enjoy each other and the opportunity to put on this uniform for at least nine more games. I felt like we played as a team tonight. People contributed in different ways.”

Northwest wants to carry this momentum into its next game when it returns to action 1:30 p.m. Saturday against Lincoln at Bearcat Arena.

After playing a solid first half against Lindenwood, it was important for Northwest to show it could put together two strong halves. The Bearcats did exactly that, getting baskets from Annie Mathews and Ashleigh Nelson at the start of the second half that boosted Northwest’s lead to 42-32.

“A lot of us are sick of losing,” said Stevens, who finished with 15 points. “It is really hard on you. Coming out here and getting a road win and everybody contributing was really big for us.

“It should show everybody in the MIAA that we can compete when everyone is a part of it.”

Northwest maintained a double-digit lead through most of the second half. When Lindenwood closed to 46-38, sophomore Tember Schechinger drilled a three-pointer, giving the Bearcats a 51-38.

“This victory feels awesome,” said Schechinger, who scored 14 points. “It gives us that feeling that we are going to finish strong.”

Schechinger played aggressive the entire game. She looked for her shot, took it and made it.

It was a complete team effort by the Bearcats. Every player who stepped on the court contributed in a positive way. Mathews pulled down 10 rebounds, Nelson scored 16 points and Ariel Easton had a couple of key drives to the basket in the first half.

Every player made at least on significant play, including freshman forward Ashley Guenther, who came off the bench and hit 15-foot jumper that gave Northwest a 32-21 lead.

“It was all about keeping the energy the whole time,” Schechinger said. “We are just working as a team. It feels really good that we are all coming together.”

In the last 10 minutes, the game was never in doubt. The Bearcats built a 65-48 lead with under 5 minutes left.

Northwest was able to maintain its double-digit lead because the Bearcats hit their free throws down the stretch. Stevens led the way.

“Free throws were the dagger at the Missouri Southern game,” Smith said. “We go 26 for 31 from the free throw line tonight, and Monique Stevens went 9 for 9.

“We got some big stops when we needed them. Our team made adjustment at halftime how to defend their leading scorer and they listened.”

Northwest played one of its best half in conference play and went into halftime with a 38-32 lead. It could have been more if Lindenwood didn’t finish the first half making three, 3-pointers.

From the start, the Bearcats came out with energy. It helped that Nelson drained the first basket of the game, a 3-pointer. Easton followed with a basket, giving Northwest a quick 5-0 lead.

The Bearcats never trailed, and when they were challenged, they responded. The first came when Lindenwood tied the game at 7-7 and 10-10. Each time Northwest went back in front with a three-pointer.

Northwest put together a nice stretch when it expanded its lead from 15-12 to 24-14. Schechinger gave the Bearcats a 10-point lead when she drained a three-pointer, got a steal near midcourt and raced down the court for a layup.

The Bearcats twice held 11-point leads. The last one came at 34-23 on a basket by Mathews.

Aside from giving up the 3-pointers in the final couple of minutes in the first half, the Bearcats excelled at both ends of the court. They shot 52 percent from the field while holding Lindenwood to 42 percent. Northwest also held the rebounding edge 18-14.

“In our warm ups, we had lots of energy and that just carried into the game,” Stevens said.

— Northwest Sports Information —

Two Kansas signees named McDonald’s All-Americans

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KUKansas men’s basketball signees Cliff Alexander and Kelly Oubre will participate in the McDonald’s All-America game on April 2 at the United Center in Chicago.

Alexander, from Curie High School in Chicago, is currently listed the No. 4 overall recruit according to rivals.com and averaging 27 points, 17 rebounds and five blocked shots per game this season. Oubre, from Findley Prep in Henderson, Nev., is ranked No. 12 by rivals.com and scoring 23 points per game. Oubre grew up in New Orleans and moved to Houston following Hurricane Katrina before moving the Nevada to finish his high school career.

The duo were two of the 10 selected to the Naismith Trophy High School Player of the Year Early-Season Watch List in December. Additionally, Alexander and Oubre were named to USA Basketball Junior National Select Team announced Jan. 20. The 2014 USA Junior National Select Team will take on a World Select Team in the 2014 Nike Hoop Summit on April 12 at the Moda Center in Portland, Ore.

Kansas currently has three McDonald’s All-Americans on its roster with sophomore F Perry Ellis, freshman G Wayne Selden, Jr., and freshman G Andrew Wiggins. Alexander and Oubre bring Kansas’ all-time McDonald’s All-Americans total to 36, including 15 that have played for current KU head coach Bill Self. The first McDonald’s All-America Team was named in 1977 and included KU great Darnell Valentine.

Kansas McDonald’s All-Americans
Darnell Valentine (1977)
Greg Dreiling (1981)
Danny Manning (1984)
Rick Calloway (1985)
Tony Guy (1985)
Mark Randall (1986)
Mike Maddox (1987)
Darrin Hancock (1990)
Ben Davis (1991)
Calvin Rayford (1991)
Jacque Vaughn (1993)
Raef LaFrentz (1994)
Paul Pierce (1995)
Ryan Robertson (1995)
Lester Earl (1996)
Eric Chenowith (1997)
Kenny Gregory (1997)
Jeff Boschee (1998)
Nick Collison (1999)
Aaron Miles (2001)
Wayne Simien (2001)
J.R. Giddens (2003)
David Padgett (2003)
Mario Chalmers (2005)
Micah Downs (2005)
Julian Wright (2005)
Darrell Arthur (2006)
Sherron Collins (2006)
Cole Aldrich (2007)
Xavier Henry (2009)
Josh Selby (2010)
Perry Ellis (2012)
Wayne Selden, Jr. (2013)
Andrew Wiggins (2013)
Cliff Alexander (2014)
Kelly Oubre (2014)

— KU Sports Information —

Griffons use balanced attack to blow out Blue Tigers, 99-71

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MWSUThe Missouri Western men’s basketball team continued to play well at home cruising to a 99-71 victory over the Lincoln Blue Tigers. The Griffons shot a season best 66.7-percent (38-57) from the field improving to 9-10 overall and 4-7 in MIAA play.

The Griffons shot a sizzling 64.5-percent (20-31) taking a 51-30 lead into halftime against Lincoln. The 51 points is the most points in the first half this season by the Griffons. Missouri Western had eight players score with Ryan Devers, Adarius Fulton and Dzenan Mrkaljevic each dumping in nine.

The Griffons used a 31-14 run opening up a 20 point lead at 36-16 lead after a Wes Mitter layup with 5:35 to play. The Blue Tigers tried to make a comeback cutting the Griffon lead to 14 with 2:50 to play but the Griffons outscored the Blue Tigers 8-1 down the stretch taking their biggest lead of the game into the locker room.

The Griffons dominated the points in the paint outscoring Lincoln 30-8. The Griffons mad 5-of-9 long range shots and 6-of-7 free throws. Fulton made three of the Griffons five long range shots in the frame.

The Blue Tigers shot just 37.9-percent (11-29) from the field with Joshua Buie leading the way with 12 points on 4-of-8 shooting.

The Griffons continued to play well offensively in the second half leading by as many as 31 points at 92-61 with 5:12 to play. The Griffons outscored the Blue Tigers 28-14 in the paint in the frame. The Blue Tigers drop to 2-17 overall and 0-11 in MIAA play.

The Griffons dominated the points in the paint outscoring Lincoln 58-22. Missouri Western had five players score in double figures with Devers leading the way with 24 on 8-of-9 shooting. Cortrez Colbert, Dareon Jones, Charlie Marquardt and Mrkaljevic all finished with 16, 15, 14 and 13 respectively.

The Griffons had 21 assists on the night with Mrkaljevic leading the way with five. Nine different Griffons had an assist in the game.

The Blue Tigers had two players score in doubles figures with Buie leading the way with 35 points on 12-of-19 shooting. Jeremy Jackson pitched in 12.

The Griffons return to action on Saturday, February 1st with an MIAA afternoon game against the Lindenwood Lions. Game time is set for 3:30 pm in the MWSU Fieldhouse and will be broadcast on 680 KFEQ AM.

— MWSU Sports Information —

Western women dominate defensively in win over Lincoln

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MWSUMissouri Western held Lincoln without a field goal for more than 16 minutes throughout the course of the game as the Griffons won 42-28 Wednesday night at MWSU Fieldhouse.

The 28 points given up by the Griffons were the third fewest in their history, and the fewest points given up in a conference game.

For most of the second half, the suspense of Missouri Western’s outcome was over with. The Blue Tigers didn’t score a basket from the 9:27 mark of the first half until the 13:23 mark of the final frame. As Lincoln guard Jennifer Rosado knocked down a jumper. The span helped the Griffons dominate throughout in their conference matchup.

Neither team could establish much offensively in the first few minutes as each team swapped three turnovers before Lincoln took a 2-0 lead. Quenisha Lockett added a layup for the 2-2 tie with 16:57 left in the opening half, and the tie was soon broken up by Tiara Hall’s layup. The Griffons continued on an 11-0 run with Sharniece Lewis’ back-to-back 3-pointers to make it 11-2.

The Griffons continued to take control in the half, grabbing a 22-9 lead with a Lewis jumper late in the half. Missouri Western led 22-12 at the half. The Blue Tigers didn’t help themselves, having as many turnovers, 12, as they did points in the first half.

Missouri Western didn’t let the game get any closer, jumping out to a 17-point lead after a layup by Lockett early in the second half. Lincoln pulled within 12 as it was 29-17, but that score was followed by four more Griffon points to establish another large lead. Lincoln finished with 24 turnovers, which was more than the Blue Tigers could score until Rosado knocked down a triple with less than a minute to play. Rosado added two more free throws to close the game 42-28 which kept them winless in the conference. The Blue Tigers are 3-15 overall. Missouri Western is now 8-10 overall and 3-8 in the MIAA.

The Griffons were led by JaQuitta Dever and Lewis, who each had 10 points. Dever also collected five steals. Jallisa Lewis added a game-high 11 rebounds. Rosado paced Lincoln with 13 points.

Missouri Western’s 42 points were the least amount of points scored in a victory in its history. Before that, the Griffons defeated Peru State 48-47 on December 3, 1991.

Next up for the Griffons is a Saturday matchup against Lindenwood at 1:30 p.m. and it’ll air on 680 KFEQ AM.

— MWSU Sports Information —

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