The Missouri Western men’s basketball team got outscored by nine points in each half falling 78-60 against the Missouri Southern Lions. The Griffons were led by Ryan Devers with 16 points while Charlie Marquardt dumped in 11 and led the Griffons with nine rebounds. The Griffons fall to 9-14 overall and 4-11 in MIAA play.

The Griffons played extremely hard in the first half but a late run by the Lions gave MSSU the 43-34 lead heading into the break. The Griffons never led in the half and were never tied. The Lions jumped out a 5-0 lead but the Griffons responded cutting the lead to two with 14:37 to play on a Ryan Devers jumper.

The score remained with in five until the 5:23 mark of the half. The Lions closed the final five minutes outscoring the Griffons 5-0 claiming the nine point lead at the half.

The Griffons shot 43.8-percent (14-32) from the floor with Kalvin Balque leading the charge with nine points. Marquardt dumped in seven points and snared five rebounds. The Lions shot 48.4-percent (15-31) from the floor with Marquis Addison leading the way with 12 points. Jordan Talbert and Slim Magee each had eight points for Missouri Southern.

The Griffons battled for half the second half cutting the Lions lead to 56-50 with 9:47 to play after a Devers long range shots. From there it was all Lions opening up a 23 point lead at 75-52 going on a 21-2 run which was capped by a Greg Renfroe free throw with 3:21 to play.

The Griffons outscored the Lions by five the rest of the way but it was to late for Missouri Western.

The Griffons shot just 35.4-percent (23-65) for the game with Colbert and Balque both scoring 11.

The Lions improve to 17-5 overall and 11-4 in the MIAA as Addison and Slim MaGeen both dumping in 14 points. MaGee also had six blocks and 12 rebounds.

Missouri Western returns to action on Wednesday, February 19 with a contest against Lincoln University in Jefferson City, Mo. Opening tip is set for 7:30 pm.

— MWSU Sports Information —

The Missouri Western women’s basketball team came up short against Missouri Southern Saturday inside the MWSU Fieldhouse, losing to the Lions 68-61. It was their first home conference loss since Jan. 4.

The Griffons fell behind early in the first half and stayed behind for the majority of the frame. The Griffons were down 6-4 with 16:31 left and trailed until Sharniece Lewis knocked down a 3-pointer with 48 seconds to go in the half. The trey put Missouri Western up 36-34, and the Griffons led the rest of the half.

After Lewis’ 3, Lions’ guard Nicole Hartzog made two free throws. Then Alex Saxen knocked down a free throw before Tanner Tripp grabbed a steal with two seconds left and was fouled on a 3-point attempt at the buzzer. The freshman made all three of her free throws as the Griffons went into halftime ahead 40-36.

Neither team scored until the 17:35 mark in the second half when Missouri Southern’s Shonte Clay put in a layup. JaQuitta Dever’s free throws followed by Tiffanie Abrams’ layup put the Griffons ahead 44-38, their largest lead of the game, with 16:33 remaining.

But Missouri Southern crept back into the game. And after the Griffons led for the following seven minutes, the Lions took the lead back with Hartzog’s three free throws with 9:30 left on the clock.

The Lions kept the lead the rest of the way, Hartzog secured the game with solid free-throw shooting. She went 13 of 16 from the charity stripe. Hartzog led the Lions with 16 points.

Missouri Western was led by Lewis, who was 7 of 8 with 21 points and 3-for-3 on triples. Alexis Gray scored 14 points and collected eight rebounds with four blocks, both games highs. Gray’s 14 points, four blocks and eight boards were also a career high.

The Griffons are now 9-13 and 4-11 in the MIAA. Missouri Southern sits at 16-9 and 10-5 in the conference. The Griffons return to the court Wednesday night at 5:30 p.m. in Jefferson City against Lincoln.

— MWSU Sports Information —

The Missouri Western baseball team gave up 14 hits including the walk off homer in the bottom of the 9th falling 7-6 against the Southwest Minnesota State Mustangs. The Griffons gave up 6 unanswered runs falling to 1-2 with the loss.

The Mustangs got on the board in the second inning getting three hits which included a Ben Korger RBI two out double scoring Mason Schnaible from first base. The score stayed that way until the 4th when the Griffons exploded for six runs on six hits.

Jeremy Monty and David Chew opened the 4th with back-to-back doubles tying the score at one. The Griffons took the lead when Schnaible booted a ball which allowed Chew to score from second. Ryan Degner gave the Griffons a 4-1 lead hitting his second homer of the season. Later in the inning Zach Kroymann singled and score on a single by Hunter Weiss. Weiss then scored on a Trevor LaHonta ground out giving the Griffons the 6-1 lead after four.

Griffon pitcher Jerad Hawkins cruised through four innings but in the fifth the Mustangs scored three runs on five hits cutting the Griffon lead to 6-4 after five. The Mustangs tied the score in the 6th off Jake Jones getting three hits and two runs. Both the runs scored with two outs after an error by Cody Childs at shortstop which would have ended the inning.

Neither team got anything going the rest of the way but in the bottom of the 9th inning pinch hitter Patrick Rients blasted a two out walk-off homer off Tyler Sanders giving the Mustangs the 7-6 victory. Southwest Minnesota State improves to 1-1 on the season with the victory.

The Griffons had 10 hits in the game with Monty, Chew and Degner all getting two. Hawkins went 5.0 innings giving up 10 hits and four earned runs. Jones went 0.2 innings giving up three hits and two earned runs while Josh Lansangan when 2.1 innings with a strikeout. Sanders went 0.2 innings with one hit and one earned run. He falls to 0-1 with the loss.

The Mustangs were led by Jon Ellis with three hits while Sam Haas, Schnaible and Ben Korger all had two hits. Haas had two RBI while Korger and Haas both scored two runs. Steven Wehr went 7.0 innings giving up 9 hits and six earned runs while Brandan Alfson went 2.0 innings giving up one hits. He improves to 1-0 with the victory.

The Griffons return to action on Sunday, February 16 with two games. They will play Southwest Minnesota State at 1:30 pm and Emporia State at 4:00 pm. The games will be played in Emporia, Kan. on Glenen Field at Trusler Sports Complex.

— MWSU Sports Information —

Missouri Western senior pitcher Jackie Bishop pitched her second career no hitter in a 8-0 victory over the Ouachita Baptist Tigers in game three of the 8-State Classic. Bishop got plenty of offensive help as senior catcher Kat Steponovich had a career day going 2-for-3 with 5 RBI. Three of her RBI came on her third career homer in the 4th inning. The Griffons improve to 5-2 on the season and will play William Jewell College at 3:30 pm.

Neither team could get anything going in the first three innings as both the Griffons and the Tigers got just one base runner.

In the four the Griffon offense got rolling when Michelle Stevenson opened the inning with a double and scored on a sacrifice fly from Brooke Schaben. Later in the inning Steponovich blasted the three run homer scoring Taylor Anding and Kailey Green giving MWSU the 4-0 lead after four.

The Griffons added three more in the top of the 6th getting five his. Tiffany Gillaspy opened the inning with a single and later scored on a Anding single. Anding and Schaben who also singled scored on a Steponovich single giving the Griffons a 7-0 lead after six. In the 7th the Griffons got one more as Stevenson led the inning off with a triple and scored on a Green single making the final score 8-0.

Bishop allowed just two runners on two walks while striking out nine. She improves to 3-1 on the season. Her only other no hitter came her freshman season on April 4, 2011 when she won a 2-0 game against Southwest Baptist. She struck out 11 in the contest.

Seven Griffons got hits in the game with Stevenson getting three and Steponovich two. The Griffons had 11 hits in the contest.

The Tigers fall to 2-4 on the season while Abbi Frakes falls to 2-2. She went 5-1 innings giving up eight hits and seven earned runs while striking out five.

— MWSU Sports Information —

The Missouri Western softball team picked up two victories on the opening day of the 8-State Classic being held in Bentonville, Ark. The Griffons won game one 5-3 against Southwestern Oklahoma State before ending with a 2-0 victory over the Upper Iowa Peacocks. The Griffons got solid pitching performances from Janie Smith and Jackie Bishop while Sydney Washington and Bre Fleschner each picked up three hits. The Griffons improve to 4-2 on the season and will take on Ouachita Baptist at 9:30 am and William Jewell at 3:30 pm tomorrow.

Game 1
MWSU 5, SWOSU 3
The Griffons got going early against the Bulldogs scoring a run in the first inning. Fleschner led off the game with a double and later scored on a Tiffany Gillaspy single giving the Griffons a 1-0 lead. They tacked on three more in the second getting three hits. Taylor Anding scored on an error and Kat Stephonvich scored on a Sydney Washington single giving the Griffons a 3-0 lead after two.

The Bulldogs came storming back in their half of the third plating two runs on two hits cutting the Griffon lead to 3-2 after three. Once again the Griffons remained calm and scored the next two runs giving them a 5-2 lead heading to the bottom of the fifth. Shelby Elliott pinch ran for Smith and then scored on a Wahington double in the fourth and in the fifth Kailey Green scored on an error by the shortstop giving the Griffons the three run cushion.

Smith gave up a homer in late as the Bulldogs cut the final score to 5-3. The Griffons had 10 hits in the game with Washington going 3-for-3 with two RBI while Fleschner had two hits and a run scored. Smith went all five innings giving up just five hits while striking out the final batter of the game. Smith improves to 2-1 with the victory.

The Bulldogs fall to 1-2 while Mallory Davis falls to 0-2 in the circle giving up 10 hits with one strikeout. Makensy Payne went 1-2 with an RBI and a runs scored for the Bulldogs.

Game 2
MWSU 2, UIU 0
In game two the Griffons did not need many runs as Bishop controlled the game in the circle giving up just two runners in the game. She gave up one hit and walked one while striking out nine to improve to 2-1 on the season.

The Griffons got the game winning run in the 4th when as Kailey Green doubled to left field and later scored on a two out double by Michelle Stevenson giving the Griffons the 1-0 lead after four. In the 6th the Griffons were able to push across another run as Gillaspy singled leading off the inning and later scored on a passed ball giving the Griffons the 2-0 lead.

That would be all the Griffons would need as Bishop set the Peacocks down in order in the final inning.

The Griffons had six hits with six different players getting a hit.

The Peacocks fall to 1-2 on the season as Jacqueline Flood picked up the loss. She falls to 0-2 with the loss.

— MWSU Sports Information —

With the forecast for this weekend calling for temperatures in the 50’s and 60’s, the Missouri Western baseball team has scheduled games at Glennen Field at Trusler Sports Complex in Emporia, Kan. Missouri Western, Emporia State and Southwest Minnesota State are schedule for a round robin tournament on Saturday and Sunday.

Missouri Western will open the tournament on Saturday, February 15 against Southwest Minnesota State. First pitch is set for 3:30 p.m. The first game of the tournament will be Emporia State hosting Southwest Minnesota State at 1:00 pm.

Sunday’s action will begin at 11:00 a.m. with Emporia State taking on Southwest Minnesota. Southwest Minnesota will then take on Missouri Western at approximately 1:30 p.m. to be followed up with Emporia State hosting Missouri Western at around 4:00 p.m.

The Griffons are 1-1 on the season after splitting its season opening double header against Arkansas Tech last weekend in Russellville, Ark.

Saturday, Feb. 15
1:00 p.m. Emporia State vs. Southwest Minnesota State
3:30 p.m. Southwest Minnesota State vs. Missouri Western

Sunday, Feb. 16
11:00 a.m. Emporia State vs. Southwest Minnesota State
1:30 p.m. Southwest Minnesota State vs. Missouri Western
4:00 p.m. Emporia State vs. Missouri Western

— MWSU Sports Information —

Missouri Western junior first baseman Tiffany Gillaspy has been named the MIAA/AstroTurf Hitter of the Week for her performance last weekend in the Hurry Up Classic in Arkadelphia, Ark. This marks the first time in her career that she has earned this honor.

Gillaspy had an outstanding first weekend getting a hit in all four games which included getting multiple hits in two of the three games.

She went 2-for-3 with a double and a walk in the Griffons 5-1 season opening victory over Henderson State. Her best game came against Cameron where she went 3-for-4 with a home run and two RBI.

Gillaspy scored three runs while getting 11 total bases. She had a .917 slugging percentage and a .643 on base percentage.

The Griffons are 2-2 on the season and will continue action this weekend participating in the 8-State Classic in Bentonville, Ark.

Western will open up play on Friday, February 14 with games against Southwestern Oklahoma State University at 9:30 am and Upper Iowa at 1:30 pm.

On Saturday, February 15 the Griffons take on Ouachita Baptist at 9:30 am and William Jewell at 3:30 pm and will wrap up the weekend on Sunday, February 16 with games against Minnesota State at 11:30 am and Illinois-Springfield at 1:30 pm.

— MWSU Sports Information —

The Missouri Western baseball team went 1-1 on opening day against the Wonder Boys of Arkansas Tech. In game one the Griffons got a strong pitching performance from Jerad Hawkins and two home runs from Jake Schrader on their way to a 6-2 victory. In the night cap the Griffons fell 7-2.

Game 1
Missouri Western 6, Arkansas Tech 2
The Griffons pounded out 13 hits and got two home runs from Jake Schrader in a 6-2 victory over the Arkansas Tech Wonder Boys in their season opener. The Griffons had five players get at least two hits with David Chew going 3-for-5 with one run scored, one RBI and one double.

The Griffons got on the board first when Schrader blasted a homer over the right field wall in the second inning. The Griffons added another run in the 3rd when Chew singled in Trevor LaHonta.

Arkansas Tech responded in the bottom of the 3rd with five hits tying the score at two. Zac Johnson singled to the pitcher which scored James Sharp and Kris Ayers singled to second base scoring Chance Scamardo.

From there the Griffon pitchers were lights out as Jared Hawkins went 5.2 innings with five strikeouts while Mason Queen, CJ Koehler and Tyler Sanders combined to pitch 4.0 innings with five strikeouts. Hawkins improves to 1-0 with the victory.

The Griffons took the lead for good in the 6th when Cody Childs got a sacrifice scoring Ryan Degner from third. In the 7th Schrader hit his second homer of the game giving the Griffons a 5-2 lead and they tacked on one more when Degner scored from third on a wild pitch.

Schrader finished with 3 RBI while scoring two runs while Degner went 2-for-3 with two runs scored.

The Wonder Boys got eight hits with Patrick Castleberry going 2-for-4. R. Ryan Taylor got the start going 3.0 innings giving up six hits and two earned runs. Aaron Johnson got the loss going 3.0 innings giving up five hits and two earned runs. He falls to 0-1 with the loss.

Game 2
Arkansas Tech 7, Missouri Western 3
In game two the Wonder Boys got on the board first with two runs in the first off three hits. Back-to-back doubles by Johnson and Mike Kattula plated two unearned runs giving Arkansas Tech the 2-0 lead after one.

In the second the Griffons got the two runs back on four hits. Degner hit his first career home run while Trevor LaHonta singled scoring Zach Kroymann tying the score at two.
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The score stayed that way until the 4th when two walks hurt the Griffons. James Sharp singled in two runs while Castleberry hit a sacrifice fly to right field giving the Wonder Boys the lead for good.

After their big second inning the Griffons went four straight innings with out a hit. In the seventh they scratched across one run on one hit, but the Wonder Boys responded with two more in the 7th picking put the four run victory.

The Griffons had just six hits in the game with six different players getting hits. Mark Spreckels started for the Griffons going just one inning. He gave up three hits and two unearned runs. Matt Russell got the loss going 1.1 innings giving up one hits while walking and striking out three. Koehler had the best outing going 1.2 innings with one strikeout.

The Wonder Boys had nine hits with S. Boehner and Castleber each getting two hits. Zach Skelton had an outstanding day going 6.0 innings giving up five hits with two earned runs. He struckout nine Griffons. Arkansas Tech improves to 4-2 with the win.

The Griffons return to action on Friday, February 21 opening up their MIAA schedule against the Northeastern State RiverHawks. Game time is set for 2 pm from the Griffon Baseball Field.

— MWSU Sports Information —

The Missouri Western softball team struggled on Sunday dropping two games in the Hurry Up Classic. The Griffons dropped the first game of the day against Arkansas Tech by a score of 3-1 before falling to Cameron University 8-5. The Griffon pitcher struggled giving up multiple homers in both games. The Griffons fall to 2-2 on the season and will continueThe Missouri Western softball team struggled on Sunday dropping two games in the Hurry Up Classic.

The Griffons dropped the first game of the day against Arkansas Tech by a score of 3-1 before falling to Cameron University 8-5. The Griffon pitcher struggled giving up multiple homers in both games.

Western falls to 2-2 on the season and will continue action next weekend participating in the 8-State Classic in Bentonville, Ark.

The Griffons will open up play on Friday, February 14 with games against East Central University at 11:30 am and Upper Iowa at 1:30 pm.

On Saturday, February 15 Missouri Western will take on Ouachita Baptist at 9:30 am and William Jewell at 3:30 pm and will wrap up the weekend on Sunday, February 16 with games against Minnestoa State at 11:30 am and Illinois-Springfield at 1:30 pm.

— MWSU Sports Information — action next weekend participating in the 8-State Classic in Bentonville, Ark.

The Griffons will open up play on Friday, February 14 with games against East Central University at 11:30 am and Upper Iowa at 1:30 pm. On Saturday, February 15 the Griffons  take on Ouachita Baptist at 9:30 am and William Jewell at 3:30 pm and will wrap up the weekend on Sunday, February 16 with games against Minnestoa State at 11:30 am and Illinois-Springfield at 1:30 pm.

Despite Cortrez Colbert scoring a career high 30 points the Missouri Western men’s basketball road woes continue in a 93-73 loss against Lindenwood. The Griffons gave up 90 points for the fifth time this season and they also allowed the Lions to shoot 61.4-percent (35-57) falling to 9-13 overall and 4-10 in MIAA play.

The first five minutes of the game looked good for the Grifofns jumping out to a 10-7 lead after a Colbert layup. The Griffons continued to play well and with 8:38 to play they would be tied at 16 after a Kalvin Balque free throw.

The rest of the half belonged to the Lions building an 11 point lead at 40-29 after an Aaron Ramirez layup with 38 second to play. Colbert capitalized on an old fashioned three point play with 20 second to play cutting the deficit to 40-32 at the half.

At the half the Griffons were led by Colbert with 15 points while Ryan Devers struggled from the field going just 2-for-10. The Lions were led by Darris Smith with 13 points while Tyler Ressel dumped in 10. Lindenwood shot 57.1-percent (16-28) from the field while the Griffons made just 35.5-percent (11-31) of their field goals.

The second half belonged to the Lions as they had a double digit lead for the final 16:19 of the game. The Griffons were unable to get anything going as Lindenwood improves to 10-14 overall and 5-9 in MIAA play.

In the game the Griffons made 45.8-percent (27-59) of their field goals which included making 57.1-percent (16-28) in the second half. Balque and Hans Thun finished the game with 13 and 11 points respectively.

The Lions were led by Darris Smith as he went 10-for-10 from the field dumping 28 points. Garrett Reeg collected a double double with 17 points and 10 rebounds. Ressel finished with 18 points while Ramirez finished with 12 points.

The Griffons will have a week off before they host the Missouri Southern Lions on Saturday, February 15. Game time is set for 3:30 pm in the MWSU Fieldhouse.

— MWSU Sports Information —