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Author: Dave Riggert

Northwest women lose at home against Missouri Southern

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NWMSUNorthwest Missouri State women’s basketball team played much better offensively in the second half.

The Bearcats limited their turnovers, passed the ball better and attacked the basket with a purpose.

Unfortunately for Northwest, it had no answer for the inside play of Missouri Southern 6-foot-2 center Shonte Clay and 6-1 center Dominique Mosley. The two players combined for 26, second-half points, leading the Lions to an 80-74 victory over Northwest Wednesday evening at Bearcat Arena.

The loss dropped Northwest to 5-12 overall and 2-8 in the MIAA. Southern improved to 13-3 and 7-2.

Northwest coach Michael Smith was disappointed in what he saw from the Bearcats Wednesday evening.

“It started before tonight,” he said. “Unfortunately, our first 10 minutes of this game was our two hour practice (Tuesday) night. It was one of those things we didn’t have the energy we needed.

“Obviously, our focus wasn’t there. We were running plays I have never seen before in the first half. It was a shame because I have been bragging on them a lot lately because of how we’ve been playing.”

Northwest is now in must-win mode if it wants to reach the MIAA Tournament. The Bearcats have a week of practice ahead of them before they return to action Jan. 30 at Lindenwood.

“I really hope so and believe so,” Northwest guard Ariel Easton said about playing with a sense of urgency the rest of the way. “I have said from the beginning that I believe in our team. I know we all have to come together this weekend and put some things together.

“This gives us a chance to regroup and get some new things going. I really think we will come out strong.”

Southern started the second half well, breaking a halftime tie and quickly building a 40-34 lead.

Northwest fought back and actually took a 42-41 lead with 14:42 left on a three-pointer by sophomore Tember Schechinger. The Lions went back in front on an inside basket by Mosley.

Schechinger answered again with a three-pointer that put the Bearcats back in front 45-43 with 14:12 left. It was that last lead for the Bearcats. A three-point play by Southern guard Sharese Jones gave the Lions the lead for good at 46-45.

Northwest stayed within one over the next 5 minutes until the deficit grew to six at 64-58. The Bearcats never got closer than four points the rest of the way.

“Both teams played pretty poorly in the first half,” Easton said. “We came out pretty sluggish and couldn’t create or finish plays.

“The second half we came out and tried to put some more energy into it. It took us awhile to get going.”

Northwest made only six baskets and shot 29 percent from the field but went into halftime tied 29-29.

The Bearcats came up with their best offensive play in the first half in the closing seconds. Ashleigh Nelson drove to the basket and kicked it out to Monique Stevens who made a three-pointer with 1 second left, tying the game.

The rest of the first half was a struggle for the Bearcats. Shots refused to go in. A few traveling calls took away possessions.

Despite the miscues, Northwest managed to stay close because of strong defense and solid free throw shooting.

The only time it appeared the game was slipping away from the Bearcats occurred midway through the first half when they fell behind 17-11.

Northwest slowly clawed its way back and closed to 21-20. It stayed close the rest of the first half. But close is no longer good enough.

“I am absolutely frustrated,” Smith said. “This was the most disappointing loss of our 12 losses just because I felt we had turned the corner both offensively and defensively and that did not show tonight.

“We didn’t play as a team and we didn’t communicate as a team. I think it is time for a little shake up. Next practice we are going to try some new things and go from there.”

— Northwest Sports Information —

Tigers’ Clarkson on Wooden Award Midseason Top 25 list

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NCAA Basketball: Alabama at MissouriMissouri junior guard Jordan Clarkson was named to the Wooden Award Midseason Top 25 List the Los Angeles Athletic Club announced on Wednesday. Chosen by the Wooden Award Advisory Board, the list is comprised of 25 student-athletes who are the front-runners for the sport’s most prestigious individual honor based on their play so far this season.

Clarkson has been one of college basketball’s most impactful newcomers this year and is averaging 18.7 points, 3.9 rebounds, 3.4 assist and 1.3 steals in 18 games this season. The San Antonio native leads Missouri with nine 20-point games, including a career high 31 points in a Nov. 12 win against Southern Illinois. The 6-foot-5 guard has reached double figures in 18 consecutive games and ranks No. 5 in the SEC in scoring, No. 10 in field goal percentage (.472), No. 7 in assists and No. 5 in free throw percentage (.804).

Clarkson is one of three Southeastern Conference representatives on the list, joining Florida’s Casey Prather and Kentucky’s Julius Randle. Clarkson is also one of four transfers on the list becoming eligible this season, joining Duke’s Rodney Hood, Iowa State’s DeAndre Kane and Oregon’s Joseph Young.

Players can be added to the list as the season progresses and fellow Tiger junior Jabari Brown is making a strong case. Like Clarkson, Brown has also reached double figures in all-18 games and has topped 20 points in three straight outings. On the year, Brown ranks No. 2 in the SEC in scoring (19.3), No. 8 in field goal percentage (.498), No. 3 from three-point range (.451) and No. 3 in three-point makes per game (2.8).

Over his last six games the Oakland, Calif., native is averaging 21.6 points on 56 percent shooting from the floor, 52 percent shooting from three and 82 percent shooting from the foul line.

The combination of Clarkson and Brown are one of just two high major basketball tandems averaging better than 18.0 points per game this season and the pair is combining for 38.0 points per game for Frank Haith’s Tigers.

— MU Sports Information —

Kansas’ Wiggins named to Wooden Award Midseason Top 25

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KUKansas freshman Andrew Wiggins has been named to the John R. Wooden Award Midseason Top 25 List, the Los Angles Athletic Club announced Wednesday.

Wiggins is one of three Big 12 Conference student-athletes listed –  and one of only five freshmen.  The players on the list are considered strong candidates for the official voting ballot, which will consist of approximately 20 top players who have proven to their universities that they are making progress toward graduation and maintaining at least a cumulative 2.0 GPA. However, players not chosen to the midseason list are still eligible for the ballot. The Wooden Award All American Team, consisting of the nation’s top 10 players, will be announced the week of the “Elite Eight” round of the NCAA Tournament.

Wiggins leads Kansas with a 15.2 scoring average, which also leads the Big 12 freshman class and is 10th overall in the conference. The 6-8 Vaughan, Ontario, Canada, guard has five games of 20-plus points and pulled down a season-high 19 rebounds at then No. 8 Iowa State (1/13). Wiggins is 50-of-59 (84.7 percent) from the free throw line in his last 10 games after hitting 10-of-12 charity shots during his 17-point effort in the win versus No. 23 Baylor on ESPN Big Monday. He has made 20 threes this season, leads KU with 17 steals and his 6.1 rebound average is third on the team.

Last season, Kansas’ Ben McLemore and Jeff Withey were named to the John R. Wooden Award Midseason and final ballot lists. McLemore went on to be named Wooden Award All-American.

No. 8/11 Kansas is 14-4 overall and the only undefeated team in the 2014 Big 12 Conference race at 5-0 heading into its Saturday, Jan. 25 game at TCU. The Jayhawks have defeated four nationally-ranked teams in each of its last four outings, a feat last accomplished by North Carolina in 1996-97.

— KU Sports Information —

Mizzou great John Brown named a 2014 SEC Basketball Legend

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MUJohn Brown, one of the all-time great performers in Missouri Basketball history, was named a 2014 Allstate® SEC Basketball Legend and will be honored at the SEC Men’s Basketball Tournament, March 12‐16, at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta, Ga.

“The Allstate® SEC Basketball Legends Program allows us to honor our past and show everyone why the SEC is one of the nation’s premier basketball conferences,” said SEC Commissioner Mike Slive.

Joining Brown in the 2014 class include: Eddie Phillips, Alabama; Clint McDaniel, Arkansas; Gerald White, Auburn; Greg Stolt, Florida; D.A. Layne, Georgia; Tony Delk, Kentucky; Mahmoud Abdul‐Rauf (Chris Jackson), LSU; Ansu Sesay, Ole Miss; Erick Dampier, Mississippi State; Gary Gregor, South Carolina; Ed Wiener, Tennessee; Dr. John Thornton, Texas A&M and Matt Freije, Vanderbilt.

“There are some tremendous names on the SEC Legends list and it’s an honor to represent Missouri at the Southeastern Conference Tournament in Atlanta next month,” John Brown said. “I want to thank Commissioner Mike Slive, Mike Alden and Coach Haith, and I am extremely proud to represent our university at this fantastic event.”

A native of Dixon, Mo., Brown led Mizzou in scoring and rebounding his final two seasons and averaged nearly 20 points and 10 rebounds per game for his three‐year career. A member of the school’s Hall of Fame and All‐Century Team, Brown ranks 16th in career scoring at Missouri with 1,421 points (just three seasons) and is fourth in career rebounding average (10.0).

“What a fitting tribute that our second inductee from Mizzou is John Brown,” said Mizzou Director of Athletics Mike Alden.  “John was a tremendous representative of our University, both as a student-athlete and throughout his professional career.  We are looking forward to seeing John honored by the Southeastern Conference in Atlanta as part of the Allstate SEC Basketball Legends event.”

A 6-foot-7 forward, Brown was a member of the 1972 United States Olympic Team (did not play due to injury) and was drafted 10th overall by the Atlanta Hawks in 1973, being named to the 1974 NBA All‐Rookie Team. He finished his NBA career scoring 3,616 points and played for Atlanta, Chicago and Utah during his NBA tenure.

Each SEC Basketball Legend will be recognized at halftime of his institution’s first game at the tournament.

Highlighting the schedule of events at the Sunkist Soda SEC FanFare will be appearances by selected legends. The FanFare will be open Thursday‐Saturday, March 13‐15.

This marks the 16th year of the SEC Basketball Legends program.

— MU Sports Information —

Western women defeat Missouri Valley for second straight win

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MWSUThe Missouri Western women’s basketball team won its second consecutive game Tuesday night with a 63-38 victory over Missouri Valley.  The Griffon bench scored 40 of MWSU’ 63 points as 13 different Griffons scored in the game.  They improve to 7-9 on the season and return to MIAA action on Saturday, January 25 at Missouri Southern. Game time is set for 1:00 pm in Joplin, Mo.

The Griffons used 16 bench points and 13 second chance points claiming the 29-12 halftime lead over the Vikings. The Griffons scored the first eight points of the game as Tiffanie Abrams hit two early long range shots. The Griffons extended their lead to 11 at 14-3 after a Cassey Sobaski jumper with 10:46 to play in the first frame.

The Vikings responded cutting the Griffons lead to 14-7 just a couple minutes later after a Rayna Smith jumper. The rest of the half belonged to the Griffons outscoring the Vikings 15-4 to take the 17 point lead into the break.

The Griffons made 11-of-30 field goals and all four of their free throws. Nine different Griffons scored in the frame with Abrams leading the way with six points. The Griffons forced 14 turnovers which led to 13 points.

The Vikings struggled offensively making just 3-of-23 field goals which included 0-of-7 from long range. The Vikings did make 6-of-8 free throws. The Vikings were led by Rayna Smith with six points.

The second half was similar to the first as neither team shot the ball very well. The Griffons outscored the Vikings 34-26 in the frame leading by as many as 26 four different times in the half. The Griffons had 19 points off turnovers in the frame.

On the night the Griffons scored 29 points off 34 Missouri Valley turnovers. They also had 23 second chance points on 23 offensive rebounds and had 26 points in the paint. Cassey Sobaski led the way off the bench with eight points while Jallisa Lewis and JaQuitta Dever both dumped in seven.

The Vikings were led by Paris Johnson with 13 points and five rebounds while Smith finished with six points. Gabi Morales collected six rebounds for Missouri Valley. The Vikings shot just 25.6-percent (11-43) from the field and 2-of-11 from long range. They made 14-of-16 free throws with Johnson going 4-for-4.

— MWSU Sports Information —

Missouri loses on the road at LSU, 77-71

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MUBATON ROUGE, La. — A week ago, LSU failed to execute in the final minutes of regulation and dropped an overtime decision to Ole Miss.

The results were the opposite for LSU against Missouri on Tuesday. Jordan Mickey scored four points and Anthony Hickey sank four consecutive free throws in the final minute and LSU held off the Tigers for a 77-71 Southeastern Conference win.

Hickey, who entered the game shooting 50 percent from the free-throw line, was fouled on purpose twice by Missouri. Hickey made his first pair of free throws to give LSU a 74-68 lead with 37 seconds remaining.

Following a 3-pointer by Jabari Brown, Hickey was again fouled. Hickey sank two more free throws with 17 seconds left to push LSU ahead 76-71.

“It was a great team effort out there,” LSU coach Johnny Jones said. “Missouri played aggressive in the second half, tied it and eventually took the lead. I’m really proud of how our team bore their neck.

“They played with a sense of urgency and toughness down the stretch,” Jones said. “They got stops and tough rebounds on the defensive end. Then, they were able to execute on the offensive end. They knocked down some big free throws.”

Shavon Coleman led LSU (12-5, 3-2) with a season-high 19 points. Johnny O’Bryant added 16 points, while Andre Stringer had 12. Mickey scored 14 points and grabbed 13 rebounds.

“Towards the end of the game, you have to get the ball inside and get some fouls,” Mickey said. “You don’t want to keep taking jump shots that can allow the other team to get back in the game, so you have to go inside and try to get some easy layups.”

Brown had a career-high 28 points for Missouri (14-4, 2-3). Jordan Clarkson contributed 19 points, while Earnest Ross had 16.

“You can’t take anything away from our guys’ competitive spirit,” Missouri coach Frank Haith said. “LSU made some big shots and made their free throws when they went to the line down the stretch. We were slow reacting a little bit on defense. It obviously wasn’t one of our better moments defensively.”

Missouri, which trailed for most of the game, went ahead 65-64 on a 3-pointer by Brown with 3:39 remaining. LSU’s Mickey replied with two free throws and a field goal and Coleman made a layup after a steal by Tim Quarterman.

Missouri stayed in striking range as Clarkson made three of four free throws on Missouri’s next two possessions. Then Hickey was fouled twice, and he sealed the win with his clutch foul shooting.

LSU led for most of the first half and built an 18-10 lead after Coleman made a 3-pointer with 12:31 remaining. Sparked by Brown’s eight points, Missouri rallied to take its first lead at 29-26 with 5:26 left before halftime.

LSU regained the lead by outscoring Missouri 12-2 over the next five minutes. Stringer started the run with a 3-pointer, Mickey made two baskets and sank two foul shots, and Jarell Marting scored three points. Brown hit a field goal, but Missouri trailed 38-33 at the half.

Missouri seized momentum at the start of the second half. A 3-pointer by Clarkson and a layup by Brown tied the score at 38, then a bucket by Johnathan Williams put Missouri on top less than 90 seconds into the half.

Trailing by four for a third time, LSU’s Mickey scored on an inside basket, then Stringer hit a trey for a 50-49 lead with 14:08 to play. Quarterman made a field goal and Coleman sank one of two foul shots to increase the lead to 53-49.

LSU extended its advantage to six points at 59-53 following field goals by O’Bryant and Coleman. But a three-point play by Ross cut Missouri’s deficit in half with 8:33 remaining. LSU got the lead back to six points again on a field goal by Martin and a foul shot by Coleman.

Another three-point play — this one by Brown — again cut Missouri’s deficit in half. Missouri then tied the score when Ross made one of two free throws and hit a layup following an LSU turnover. A driving basket by Coleman put LSU back ahead 64-62 with 4:05 remaining.

— Associated Press —

No. 22 K-State loses on a buzzer beater at Texas

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KSUAUSTIN, Texas (AP) — Jonathan Holmes delivered the shot. Cameron Ridley provided the muscle.

Texas won again, this time 67-64 over No. 22 Kansas State and the Longhorns keep climbing upward in the Big 12.

Holmes made a catch-and-shoot 3-pointer from the corner at the buzzer Tuesday night, sending Texas to its fourth straight league victory and second in a row over a ranked team.

”I just caught it and shot it,” Holmes said, adding he had no time to think before putting the ball in the air.

The Longhorns (15-4, 4-2) are giving the Big 12 plenty to think about. A team that started with no expectations after a losing season in 2012-13, the program’s first in 15 years, is now feeling like it can chase the league heavyweights over a long season.

And maybe even challenge for the title.

”That’s what we’re playing for,” Holmes said.

Ridley scored 18 points in a game-long tug-of-war under the basket with Kansas State’s Thomas Gipson, who scored 24 points.

Javan Felix had 23 points for the Longhorns, including two big baskets late that helped prevent the Wildcats from taking the lead.

Holmes finished with 10 points, eight in the second half.

Texas had almost blown its chance for the game-winner when the Longhorns nearly botched an inbounds pass with 3 seconds left. But after a quick timeout, Isaiah Taylor zipped the ball to the Holmes in the corner and he put up the shot over two defenders. The ball swished through the basket at the buzzer and Holmes was mobbed by his teammates.

If Texas had run the play correctly the first time, Holmes was open for an easy layup. The longer, harder shot delivered the same result with a little more drama. The Longhorns were coming off a win over then-No. 8 Iowa State.

Kansas State (14-5, 4-2) had tied the game at 64 on Shane Southwell’s twisting, off-balance layup with 5 seconds to play after Felix had missed two free throws that likely would have put the game out of reach.

”(Holmes) could have easily (scored),” the first time, Kansas State coach Bruce Weber said. ”That’s a big shot. They’re close to being a Top 25 team, too. It’s going to be like this all year in the league.”

The game was tight the entire way as Ridley and Gipson battled under the basket and neither team let the other build any kind of offensive momentum. The biggest lead was six points. The teams were tied or traded leads 12 times in the final 9 minutes.

”We let them get us in a grinder a little bit,” Texas coach Rick Barnes said.

The Longhorns had a chance to push the lead to eight late in the first half before Ridley was whistled for an offensive foul. Gipson kept the Wildcats within four with a layup as time expired.

Ridley picked up a second foul early in the second half and went to the bench for nearly 4 minutes. Gipson converted the three-point play and the Wildcats cut the lead to 40-39 when Gipson scored again. Ridley returned and quickly made a midrange jumper on his first touch, then denied Gipson a shot on the other end.

”I shot every shot with confidence. They kept trusting me to throw it back to me,” Ridley said.

Kansas State grabbed the lead at 52-49 when Southwell made two free throws and Wesley Iwundu made a fastbreak layup. Felix briefly restored Texas’ lead with a baseline floater, his first points in nearly 6 minutes, before Southwell made a 3-pointer that started a flurry of back-and-forth lead changes and ties.

Felix made two free throws to put Texas ahead 61-60 with just under 2 minutes left. Holmes made one of two before Felix made another off-balance baseline shot to make it 64-60.

Southwell’s layup tied it before Texas got two chances to find the game-winner from Holmes.

”You go on the road you and have a chance to grab a game, you have a chance to break their spirit,” Weber said. ”We didn’t do it.”

— Associated Press —

Royals agree to terms win OF Justin Maxwell

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RoyalsThe Kansas City Royals announced Tuesday that the club has agreed to terms on a one-year contract with outfielder Justin Maxwell for the 2014 season, avoiding arbitration.  Consistent with club policy, terms of the contracts were not disclosed.

Maxwell, 30, came to the Royals on July 31 last season in a non-waiver deadline deal with the Houston Astros.  In 35 games with Kansas City, Maxwell hit .268 with five homers and 17 RBI, including a .313 average (15-for-48) and a .646 slugging percentage at Kauffman Stadium.  In KC’s home finale, Maxwell delivered a walk-off grand slam in the bottom of the 10th to beat the Texas Rangers, 4-0, on September 22.

The signing of Maxwell leaves the Royals with two unsigned arbitration-eligible players: right-handed pitchers Aaron Crow and Greg Holland.

— Royals Media Relations —

Wiggins scores 17 as No. 8 KU pulls away from No. 24 Baylor

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KULAWRENCE, Kan. (AP) — Andrew Wiggins scored 17 points, most of them coming at the free throw line, and No. 8 Kansas pulled away in the second half to beat No. 24 Baylor 78-68 on Monday night.

Wiggins was 10 of 12 from the free throw line, and the Jayhawks (14-4, 5-0 Big 12) were 27 of 29 as a team, allowing them to put away Baylor for their fifth straight win – the last four over Top 25 opponents. They are the first team to accomplish that feat since North Carolina in 1997.

Perry Ellis added 19 points and Joel Embiid had 12 for Kansas, which led 37-35 at halftime but used a 14-2 surge fueled by defense and hustle in the second half to draw away.

Brady Heslip hit six 3-pointers and scored 19 points for the Bears (13-5, 1-4), who have lost three straight and four of five. Cory Jefferson and Isaiah Austin added 16 points apiece.

The teams combined for 16 turnovers in a disjointed first half that included 12 lead changes but virtually no rhythm. The Jayhawks managed to squeeze out the two-point halftime lead, but they had to shoot 60 percent from the field to do it.

That’s because Baylor was scorching from beyond the arc.

Heslip hit all four of his 3-point tries and the 7-foot Austin added two – he was 0 for 4 from inside the arc. Along with the two 3-pointers that Jefferson hit, the Bears knocked down 8 of 10 beyond the perimeter in the first half. They were 4 of 18 everywhere else.

The game remained close until Ellis scored inside with 12:48 remaining to start the Jayhawks on their game-defining run, and then came the two biggest highlights of the game.

The first came when Ellis stepped in front of a pass and took off toward the other end of the court, dunking the ball home while getting fouled. Naturally, he made the free throw.

The second highlight came moments later, when Kansas lost control of the ball under the Baylor basket. Freshman guard Wayne Selden tracked it down and saved it to Embiid as he crashed over a fan seated at a courtside table and wound up in the laps of two more fans wearing Bears clothing.

Everybody’s eyes immediately turned to Embiid – including the officials – and the 7-foot freshman converted the basket. The only people who seemed to notice that Selden’s foot was out of bounds were the folks who were able to catch the replay on television.

Bears coach Scott Drew burned a timeout as the game was starting to get away from them, but the Jayhawks kept on charging. Naadir Tharpe’s 3-pointer made it 60-46 with 8:16 remaining.

From there, it was a matter of Kansas maintaining its lead.

Austin hit a 3-pointer to get Baylor within 61-51 with just over 6 minutes left, but Wiggins made four straight from the free throw line. Heslip hit another 3-pointer with 3:45 to go, but Wiggins scored on a scooping layup to keep the cushion comfortable.

Just about the only thing that went wrong toward the end of the game for Kansas happened when reserve forward Tarik Black hurt his lower leg. He appeared to get rolled into by the Bears’ Rico Gathers, and Black needed considerable help to make it off the court.

— Associated Press —

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