Missouri Western men topped the century mark with a 102-93 victory against Livin’ the Dream Tuesday night at MWSU Fieldhouse.

It was the first game played at the Fieldhouse without coach Tom Smith since 1987. Coach Brett Weiberg took the court for the first time as a Griffon head coach.

In the first half, the Griffons led throughout after falling behind 2-0. The Dream led 22-19 after a 3-pointer from Anthony Hill, but shortly after, the Griffons took the lead back after Hans Thun made a layup. The bucket marked it 30-28. The Griffons led the rest of the way.

The Griffons shot 51 percent in the first frame, building a 51-39 lead at the break.

Clinkscales put seven points and seven rebounds on the Dream. They didn’t shoot as well as Missouri Western, but six 3s, including three by point guard Boo Richardson, helped the Dream stay in the game. Richardson led the half with 17 points.

The Griffons maintained a 10-point or more advantage until 15 minutes left in the game. Jacob French’s fast-break layup cut the Griffons’ lead to eight, 63-55.

Clinkscales opened up another 12-point lead with a hook shot. He then threw up an alley-oop to Kalvin Balque to mark it 81-69 with 8:40 left.

The lead stretched to 20 points after Charlie Marquardt made two free throws to make it 98-78. Thun put in a dunk to give the Griffons 100 points. French’s final free throw for The Dream made the final 102-93.

Ryan Devers led the Griffons with 21 points. He was 8 of 16 from the field. He also had seven assists to lead Missouri Western. Richardson was 12 or 17 for a game-high 32 points.

The Griffons get back on the court this weekend in the Sanford Pentagon Basketball Showcase. They play against Augustana College and Northern State.

— MWSU Sports Information —

Missouri Western women defeated Livin’ the Dream in its opening game at MWSU Fieldhouse 98-77. The Griffons open up their first regular season contest this Saturday against Chadron State with a 1 p.m. tip-off.

If they can shoot the ball like they did Tuesday night, they should continue to make progress.

Coming off a 16-win season that produced 10 more wins than the season prior, the Griffons shot nearly 47 percent on the night. Tiara Hall had a double-double in her first action as a Griffon, gong 7-for-8 with 15 points and 10 rebounds. Countering her efforts was Quenisha Lockett, who was 5 of 8 with 12 points and six boards.

Missouri Western collected 54 rebounds total compared to the Dream’s 33. The Dream were led by Ashley Birch and Cassondra Boston. Birch shot 63 percent and scored 19 points. Cassondra Boston had a team-high 24 points going 9-for-20.

For the Griffons, coach Rob Edmisson’s second season starts as he used 16 players in his rotation. JaQuitta Dever produced a team-high 10 assists. Ariana Novak started her first game in a Missouri Western uniform and led the team with 16 points and four steals. A transfer from Malcolm X College, Novak was 4 of 7 from the 3-point line.

The game broke open midway through the first half. Alex Saxen nailed a 3 to move the Griffons to a double-digit lead 26-14 with 8 minutes, 7 seconds left in the frame. From there, the Griffons didn’t let it go back to singles, and led 45-32 at the break.

In the second half, the Griffons took their biggest lead of the game with 7:19 to play. Lcokett put in a layup to go up 88-59. The Dream brought the game a little closer later on, but never threatened the Griffons. Dever’s two free throws followed three points by their opponents to mark the score 98-77.

— MWSU Sports Information —

The Missouri Western football team sits in  9th place in the first Super Region Three rankings which was released Monday afternoon.

Four other MIAA schools are ranked in the poll with Northwest Missouri State sitting in 1st, Pittsburg State 6th, Washburn 8th and Emporia State 7th.

The top two teams in the region get a bye in the first week of the playoffs while four will host five and three will host six on Saturday, November 23.

The Griffons region consisst of teams from the Northern Sun Incollegiate Conference, Great American Conference and the Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association.

The Griffons continue MIAA play on Saturday, November 9 when they travel to Topeka, Kan. to take on the 15th ranked Washburn Ichabods. Game time is set for 1:00 pm from Yager Stadium at Moore Bowl.

SUPER REGION THREE
1     Northwest Missouri State     9-0     9-0
2     Minnesota State Mankato     9-0     9-0
3     Minnesota-Duluth     8-1     8-1
4     St. Cloud State     8-1     8-1
5     Henderson State     9-0     9-0
6     Pittsburg State     7-1     8-1
7     Emporia State     8-0     8-0
8     Washburn     8-1     8-1
9     Missouri Western State     7-2     7-2
10     Harding     6-2     6-2

— MWSU Sports Information —

After falling 35-30 last week against No. 10 Emporia State the Missouri Western football team dropped ten more spots to 22nd in the latest American Football Coaches Association poll. The Griffons are 7-2 overall and 6-2 in MIAA play.

Among other MIAA schools, Northwest Missouri State is ranked No. 2 while Pittsburg State is 6th, Emporia State is 10th and Washburn is 15th.

Missouri Western has been ranked in the top 25 in the last 29 polls and has received votes in 49 of the last 50 polls by the American Football Coaches Association.

The Griffons return to action this week with a top-25 battle against the #15 Washburn Ichabods. It will be the Griffons final road trip of the regular season. Game time is set for 1:00 pm in Yager Stadium at Moore Bowl in Topeka, Kan.

Click here to see the AFCA Top 25 poll.

— MWSU Sports Information —

Missouri Western’s sixth turnover of the game ended any comeback opportunities as the Griffons fall for the first time against #14 Emporia State since 2004 by a score of 35-30. Missouri Western out gained the Hornets 525 to 351 falling to 7-2 overall and 6-2 in MIAA play. The back-to-back home loses is the first time since 2008 that MWSU has lost consecutive home games.

Missouri Western got into Emporia State territory three different times in the first quarter but could not get any points as one drive ended on an interception by Travis Partridge.

In the second quarter the Hornets opened up a 21-0 lead when Dozie Iwuagwa rushed in from six yards out with 7:44 to play. The Hornets opened up the scoring with 13:18 in the quarter when Brent Wilson connected with Ervin Kavaski from 13 yards out. Iwuagwu followed that up with a 22 yard touchdown giving ESU the 14-0 lead with 8:31 to play in the quarter.

The Griffons hung in there closing the half with 10 straight points. Partrdige connected with Alek Ferbet from eight yards out with 3:33 to play and John Schmiemeier connected on a 47 yard field goal as time expired making it 21-10 ESU at the half.

The Griffons had 215 yards with 125 coming through the air. Stephon Weaver caughte six passes for 75 yards in the half while John Oglesby led the defense with nine tackles.

Emporia State had 188 yards with 97 coming on the ground. Antonio Brown had seven carries for 46 yards while Julian Dozier, Deshawn Dinwiddie and Tariq Allen had seven tackles.

The Griffons opened up the third quarter going 89 yards on nine plays with Dalton Krysa blasting in from two yards out cutting the ESU lead to 21-17 with 10:41 to play in the quarter.

In the fourth the Griffons took their first lead of the game on a third and 27 when Partridge connected with Weaver for a 30 yard touchdown giving MWSU the 24-21 lead with 11:01 to play. Weaver finished with a career high 10 catches for 163 yards.

The Hornets finally got something going in the final quarter scoring on one yard touchdown passes to Kavaski and Ray Ray Davis giving the Hornets the 35-24 lead with 4:20 to play.

The Griffons continued to play hard going on a seven play 62 yard drive capped by a Partridge two yard run cutting the ESU lead to 35-30 with 2:46 to play. On the Hornet next possession Mike Jordan picked off Wilson setting the Griffons up inside the Hornet 25 yard line after a personal foul penalty. On a third down and four from the Hornet six yard line Partride threw his career high fourth interceptions giving the Hornets the victory.

Partridge threw for 298 yards connecting on 22-of-40. Raphael Spencer finished with 80 yard rushing and 55 yards receiving while Partridge finished with a career high 130 yards on a career high 25. Oglesby finished with 11 tackles.

Brent Wilson had 159 yards with three touchdowns and two interceptions. Davis had nine catches for 79 yards and one touchdown. Antonio Brown had 109 yards on 14 carries and two touchdowns while Josh Monteagudo and Allen had 12 tackles apiece.

The Griffons return to action next week on the road when they take on the 8th ranked Washburn Ichabods at 1:00 pm in Topeka, Kan.

— MWSU Sports Information —

Missouri Western volleyball won its seventh match out of the past 10 as it defeated Missouri Southern 3-0 Friday night at MWSU Fieldhouse. The Griffons are 14-13 and 7-6 in the MIAA.

Kelsey Olion took control of the opening set, providing the Griffons with five kills throughout the game. The close first set saw the Griffons take a four-point lead twice before the Lions came back to make it 23-22. The Griffons close out the set with two straight points to win it 25-22.

The Lions went ahead 15-10 in the second set. A diving dig from Erica Rottinghaus kept the Lions from extending their lead. From there, the Griffons went on 6-1 run to mark it 17-16.

After that, Missouri Western came back to take the set 25-23 and the 2-0 lead. Lindsey Partridge led the way with six kills in the set.
Missouri Southern threatened the Griffons plenty in the third set, but not enough to take the game. The Griffons fell behind 2-0, and aside from a few ties, the Griffons led the rest of the way.

The final rally made it interesting. The Griffons led 24-21 but couldn’t close the match. The Lions scored three straight points before the Griffons came back to break the tie. Olion finished the match with a kill to win it 26-24.

For the whole match, Olion led the team with 12 kills. Rottinghaus added 18 kills and Sarah Faubel had 14 to place second. Jordan Chohon recorded 34 assists throughout the match.

The Lions were led by Nai Montano, who had eight kills. Abby Finder led the team with 25 assists.

Missouri Western returns home Friday, Nov. 8 and play Central Missouri. Game time is set for 7 p.m.

— MWSU Sports Information —

Despite outshooting the Missouri Southern 19-16 the Missouri Western soccer team dropped their final match of the regular season 1-0 on the road. K.C. Ramsell had a career high seven shots with three on goal as the Griffons finish the seaon 2-14-2 overall and 0-10-1 in MIAA play.

Freshman goalie Sarah Lyle made 13 saves including eight in the second half. The two teams played the first 71 minutes scoreless and then the Lions got on the game winning goal at the 71:10 mark of the game when Tiffany Laughlin scored her third goal of the season.

The Griffons put pressure on in the second half with 13 shots with four on goal. Unfortunatly the Griffons could not get the tying goal.

The Lions improve to 4-7-4 on the season and 3-4-3 in MIAA play. Abby Risner picked up the victory in goal making seven saves. She sits at 2-4-1 on the season. Laughlin had six shots with five on goal.

— MWSU Sports Information —

Missouri Western volleyball defeated Northwest Missouri State 3-1 Tuesday evening at home to even its record in the MIAA at 6-6. Overall, the Griffons are also .500 with a 13-13 record.

Missouri Western jumped out to an 8-3 lead during the first set but quickly lost momentum. The Griffons fell behind soon after. The Bearcats pushed their way toward an 8-8 tie and eventually took over to win the set 25-21.

Erica Rottinghaus, the team-leader in kills, started out with a slow night but responded quickly in the second set. The junior had three kills in the set and gave the Griffons a 4-0 lead.

The lead extended to 11-4 and Missouri Western doubled the score soon after, taking a 16-8 lead after an attack error from Northwest. The Griffons won the set 25-19.

After the 1-1 tie, the Griffons won the third set 25-18. Rottinghaus had another 3-kill game countered by Kelsey Olion’s five kills in the third set.

Northwest led 6-5, but the Griffons went on a 5-2 run to take a 10-8 lead and never fell behind afterward. With a 2-1 lead, the Griffons controlled the fourth and final set of the night to win 25-16.

Olion led the team with 15 kills. Rottinghaus finished second with 13, giving her 333 kill so far this season. Leading the team with 42 assists was Jordan Chohon.Lindsey Partridge played a solid match which included a match-high seven blocks. It was also a career high for the sophomore. The Bearcats were led by Abby Graves who had 12 kills.

This was the second victory over Northwest this season. Earlier this season, the Griffons won 3-1.

The Griffons are still seventh in the conference but have a two-match lead over the No. 8 and ninth-place teams. With four matches remaining the Griffons can secure a post-season berth soon.

Next up for the Griffons is Missouri Southern. They’ll play the Lions Friday night at 7 p.m. at MWSU Fieldhouse.

— MWSU Sports Information —

The Missouri Western football team sits in 7th place in the first Super Region Three rankings which was released Monday afternoon.

Four other MIAA schools are ranked in the poll with Northwest Missouri State sitting in 1st, Pittsburg State 6th, Washburn 8th and Emporia State 9th.

The top two teams in the region get a bye in the first week of the playoffs while four will host five and three will host six on Saturday, November 23.

The Griffons region consisst of teams from the Northern Sun Incollegiate Conference, Great American Conference and the Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association.

The Griffons continue MIAA play on Saturday, November 2 when they take on the 14th ranked Emporia State Hornets in St. Joseph, Mo. Game time is set for 1:30 pm from Spratt Stadium. The Hornets are ranked 9th in the region.

SUPER REGION THREE
1     Northwest Missouri State     8-0     8-0
2     Minnesota State-Mankato     8-0     8-0
3     Minnesota Duluth     7-1     7-1
4     St. Cloud State     7-1     7-1
5     Henderson State     8-0     8-0
6     Pittsburg State     6-1     7-1
7     Missouri Western State     7-1     7-1
8     Washburn     8-0     8-0
9     Emporia State     7-0     7-0
10     Harding     5-2     5-2

— MWSU Sports Information —

After falling 34-14 last week against the then ranked No. 12 Pittsburg State Gorillas the Missouri Western football team dropped eight spots to 12th in the latest American Football Coaches Association poll. Before the loss the Griffons had opened up the season 7-0 which tied the best start in school history which was also done in 1981.

Among other MIAA schools, Northwest Missouri State is ranked No. 2 while Pittsburg State is 7th, Washburn is 8th and Emporia State is 14th.

Missouri Western has been ranked in the top 25 in the last 27 polls and has received votes in 47 of the last 48 polls by the American Football Coaches Association.

The Griffons return to action this week with a top-25 battle against the #14 Emporia State Hornets. It will Youth Day at Spratt Stadium with kickoff set for Saturday, November 2 at 1:30 pm from Spratt Stadium in St. Joseph, Mo.

— MWSU Sports Information —