The Missouri Western women’s basketball team did not make a field goal in the final 8:36 of the game falling 60-45 against the 6th ranked Washburn Lady Blues. The Griffons were held to their lowest point total of the year falling to 13-9 overall and 6-8 in MIAA play.

The Griffons played the high powered Lady Blues to a 9-8 lead with 14:56 to play in the first half. The Lady Blues Laura Kinderknecht hit three straight three’s giving Washburn a 17-9 lead with 11:22 to play.

The Griffons remained calm going on a 6-0 run cutting the lead to two after a KC Clouser layup with 8:48 to play in the first frame. The Lady Blues outscored the Griffosn by four the rest of the half taking a 29-23 halftime lead.

Washburn dominated the points in the paint 16-6 and had six more rebounds than the Griffons (25-19). MWSU shot 12 free throws but only made six in the half. Brittany Griswold was 2-for-3 from the field for seven points while Heather Howard had nine rebounds. The Griffons made just 8-of-25 field goals in the half.

The Lady Blues shot 36.4-percent (12-33) from the field and made 4-of-9 long range shots. Kinderknecht led the way with nine points while Sierra Moeller and Brittney Lynch had six boards.

The Griffons kept the game close up until the 8:36 mark of the second half. Lanicia Lawrence hit a jumper cutting the WU lead to 46-40 but the Griffons would be unable to score a field goal the rest of the way falling by 15.

Howard collected her 12th double-double of the season dumping 12 points and snaring 11 rebounds. the Griffons shot just 32.6-percent (15-46) from the field and 18.2-percent (2-11) from long range. They also struggled from the foul line making just 13-of-26 free throws.

The Lady Blues had three players in double figures with Kinderknecht leading the way with 16 points and five assists. Lavonda McCall had a double-double with 11 points and 10 rebounds while Stormye Everett dumped in 10 points.

The Griffons return to action on Wednesday, February 20 with a road contest against rival Northwest Missouri State in Maryville, Mo. Game time is set for 5:30 pm in Bearcat Arena.

— MWSU Sports Information —

The Missouri Western baseball team pounded out 24 hits on day two against Arkansas Tech but were unable to pull out a victory falling 6-5 and 9-7 in the doubleheader. The Griffons fall to 1-3 on the season and will travel to Emporia, Kan. the weekend to take on the Emporia State Hornets in a MIAA three game series. The two teams will play two games on Saturday, February 16 with first pitch scheduled for 1:00 pm and will close out the series on Sunday, Febraury 17 with one nine inning contest starting at noon.

Game 1
Arkansas Tech 6, Missouri Western 5

Depite pounding out 13 hits in game one the Griffons comeback effort came up short falling 6-5 against the Wonder Boys. The Griffons left eight runners on base in the defeat.

Chris Allen had a rough start for the Griffons giving up six earned runs in two innints of work. He gave up five hits facing just 14 batters. He falls to 0-1 with the loss. Oliver Kadey was solid out of the bullpen for MWSU going six innings giving up just two hits and two walks.

Things looked good for the Griffons in the first two innings combining for three hits but were unable to get on the board stranding four runners. ATU however jumped all over the Griffons scoring one run in the first when Cesar Abreu led off getting hit by a pitch then stole second and advanced to third on a throwing error by catcher Payton Scarbrough. Abreu scored on a sacrafice fly by Cole Fergus.

In the second inning the Wonder Boys used five hits to score five runs helping them to a 6-0 lead after two innings. From there the Griffons started their rally. In the fifth Nate Ramler singled in Bubba Dotson and Michael Schulze cutting the score to 6-2. INthe sixth MWSU scored two more runs when Shawn Egge blasted homer.

In the top of the ninth Egge reached on a throwing error by the third baseman and later scored on Michael Schulze single to center field cutting the Wonder Boy lead to 6-5 with no one out. A foul out, fly out and fielder choice ended the game for the Griffons.

Dotson and Scarbrough each had two hits while Schulze had three. Six other Griffons had a hit in the contest.

The Wonder boys had seven hits with seven different player getting one. Jake Bell picked up the victory going 5.2 innings giving up 11 hits and four earned runs. Boone Weiss got his second save of the season going one inning giving up one hit.

Game 2
Arkansas Tech 9, Missouri Western 7

Things looked good early for the Griffons as they took a 3-0 after an inning and a half. Shawn Egge, Schulze and Dotson all scored in the inning.

The Wonder Boys battle back scoring three in their half of the second on two hits to tie the score.

Once again MWSU went up by three using hits by Tyler Smith, Schulze and Kyle Simpson taking a 6-2 lead after their half of the third. The Griffons held that lead until the fourth when the Wonder Boys got to MWSU starting pitcher Jake Jones. Jones gave up four hits and three runs to go into the fifth tied at six.

The Wonder Boys used another three run inning in the fifth taking a 9-6 lead with just two innings to play. The Griffons left two on base in the sixth and two in the seventh falling for the third time in the series.

Schulze led the way for the Griffons going 3-for-3 with two runs scored while Dotson and Simpson had two apiece. Simpson had three RBI in the contest. Jake Jones gave up seven hits in four innings giving up six runs while Kyle Kelly got the loss going 2/3 of an inning giving up one earned run and one hit. He falls to 0-1 on the season.

Arkansa Tech improves to 6-4 with the victory as lead off batter Cesar Abreu had five RBI going 2-for-4. Dustin Thomas got the win going 1.2 innings improving to 2-0 on the season. Boone Weiss picked up his third save of the year and second of the day giving up two hits in one inning of play.

— MWSU Sports Information —

The Missouri Western baseball team was able to get a split with the Arkansas Tech Wonder Boys on opening day Sunday. The Griffons fell 6-5 in the first game before rebounding for a 5-3 victory in game two. The Griffons are 1-1 on the season.

Game 1
ATU 6, MWSU 5

In game one the Griffons fell in a heart breaker giving up two runs in the bottom of the ninth taking the defeat 6-5. The Wonder Boys jumped out to a 3-0 lead after five innings. Arkansas Tech scored one run in the third off two hits and one Griffon error.

In the fifth ATU started a two out rally when Thomas Biocic and Jonathan Finnegan singled and then a Scott Sammons double gave the Wonder Boys the 3-0 lead.

The Griffons responded in the sixth when Bubba Dotson homered leading off the inning then Jimmy Smelcer singled to third base scoring Spencer Shockley cutting the lead to 3-2. The Griffons took the lead in the seventh scoring two more runs on two hits. Shockley double to left field scoring Michael Schulze and then Nate Ramler singled to left scoring Shockley.

MWSU tacked on one in the eighth after David Chew scored giving the Griffons a 5-3 lead. From there ATU started the comeback taking advantage of poor defensive and pitching by the Griffons to get the the victory.

The Griffons had eight hits With Ramler and Chew both collecting two. Ethan Ward started the game going six innings giving up nine hits and two earned runs. Mark Spreckels picked up the loss giving up one hit and one earned runs with two walks.

ATU had 13 hits with five players collecting two hits. Ryan Taylor went 5.1 innings giving up four hits and two earned runs while striking out four. Colt Burns picked up the victory going 2.2 innings giving up just two hits and one run.

Game 2
MWSU 5, ATU 3

Game two belonged to Schulze on the offensive side as he had two hits and three RBI. Schulze led the game off with a home run giving MWSU the 1-0 until the fourth.

In the fourth Bubba Dotson got hit by a pitch and later scored on a Shawn Egge single to left field giving the Griffons a 2-0 lead. The Wonder Boys responded when Sammons scored after a fielding error by Schulze cutting the lead to 2-1 after four.

The Griffons responded scoring two in the fifth and one in the sixth taking a 5-1 lead after five and a half. Kyle Simpson and Payton Scarbrough both reached on singles to open up the fifth then Schulze double to right field giving the Griffons a 4-1 lead. In the sixth Smelcer hit a sacrifice fly scoring Chew helping the Griffons to the 5-1 lead.

The Wonder Boys made thing interesting in the seventh scoring two and leaving one on base but Kyle Kelly closed out the win for the Griffons. Kelly picked up the save going three innings giving up two runs, four hits while striking out three. Brandon Simmons picked up the victory going four innings giving up three hits with one earned run.

The Griffons had seven hits with Schulze and Simpson each getting two.

Mason Reynolds picked up the loss for ATU going five innings. He gave up five hits and four earned runs while striking out just two. He falls to 0-2 with the loss.

The Wonder Boys had seven hits and left eight on base. Josh Johnson had two hits. The Wonder Boys fall to 4-4 with the loss.

The two teams will close out their four game series on Monday, February 11. First pitch is scheduled for 12:00 pm in Russellville, Ark.

— MWSU Sports Information —

MISSOURI WESTERN 12, SOUTHERN NAZARENE 1

The Missouri Western softball team bounced back nicely against NCAA newcomer Southern Nazarene with a 12-1 five inning victory on Saturday morning in the Southeastern Regional Invite.

The Griffons offensive came to play pounding out 13 hits and scoring 12 runs in five innings of play. Jackie Bishop pitched well giving up just one walk while striking out nine and giving up two hits in her first victory of the season.

The Crimson Storm got on the board first in the second inning when Kaytie Spencer smacked a homer giving SNU the early 1-0 lead. The Storm got just one hit the rest of the way.

After stranding a lead off single in the first the Griffon offense got going in the second inning. Back-to-back singles by Maegan Roemmich and Kendall Sorenson set the stage for Sarah Elliott as she got a two out single scoring both Roemmich and Sorenson giving MWSU the 2-1 lead after two.

In the third the Griffons scored four more runs getting four runs on four hits. The first four players got on base with three being singles. Taylor Anding got the final single of the inning scoring Roemmich from second giving Missouri Western the 6-2 lead after three.

In the fourth Michelle Stevenson led off with a single and later scored on a Keri Lorbert two run homer. In the fifth Lobert struck again hitting a grand slam giving the Griffons the run rule victory.

Eight of the Griffons nine batters got hits in the contest with Lorbert and Roemmich leading the way with three apiece. Lorbert had six RBI and three runs scored while Roemmich knocked in one and scored twice. Stevenson scored three times while Elliott had two hits, two RBI and scored once.

SNU falls to 1-2 on the season as Maci-Brooke Lambert falls to 1-1 with the loss. She gave up eight hits, six earned runs and had just two strikeouts. Becca Webb pitched two innings giving up five hits and six earned runs. The Storm falls to 1-2 with the loss.

HENDERSON STATE 4, MISSOURI WESTERN 3

The Missouri Western softball team committed three errors allowing four unearned runs to cross the plate falling 4-3 against Henderson State University. The Griffons fall to 2-2 on the season and will close out the Southeastern Oklahoma State University Regional Invite with games against Drury and Ouachita Baptist tomorrow and 10 am and noon respectively.

The Reddies scored three runs on two Griffons errors in the third inning taking a commanding 3-0 lead. The Griffons scored one in the third and one in the fourth cutting the deficit to 3-2 with three innings to play. Breanna Fleschner double in Sarah Elliott in the third and Taylor Anding doubled in Maegan Roemmich in the fourth.

Things remained that way until the top of the seventh when they scored another unearned run. The Griffons made a comeback effort in the seventh but stranded the tying run at third ending the game.

The Griffons had seven hits with Elliott collecting two. She also scored two runs. Brooke Schaben made her first apperance in the circle for the Griffons. She went four innings five hits and striking out two. Jackie Bishop made her apperance in the fifth with nobody out. She gave up one hit and struckout eight. Schaben falls to 0-1 with the loss.

— MWSU Sports Information —

On its first day of action this Spring, Missouri Western’s softball team went 1-1 on Friday, defeating Cameron 5-4 in eight innings before losing to Southeastern Oklahoma State 9-4.

Missouri Western 5, Cameron 4

The Griffons opened up the season with a close matchup against Cameron. Both teams went scoreless through three innings. Missouri Western then took a 1-0 lead at the top of the fourth as Tiffany Gillaspy singled to left field before Maegan Roemmich hit her in to take the lead.

The Aggies came back with two scores of their own to take a 2-1 lead after four innings. The Griffons tied it at two in the sixth inning after a solo-home run by Gillaspy.

In the extra inning, Sarah Elliott homered to left field, bringing in Brooke Schaben to take a 4-2 lead. Breanna Fleschner was walked and soon after Gillaspy hit her in for a 5-2 lead.

Cameron came back with a 2-run homer by Leslile Martini, but Jackie Bishop came in and struck out the side to complete the 5-4 victory.

Gillaspy had three hits with two RBIs on the day, and Elliott finished with a hit and two RBIs.

Southeastern Oklahoma State 9, Missouri Western 4

Missouri Western took on Southeastern Oklahoma State later in the afternoon and jumped out to a big 4-1 lead midway through the fourth. Tiffany Gillaspy cracked her second home run on the day, bringing in Michelle Stevenson to take a 2-0 lead in the top of the fourth. Southeastern added a run to make it 2-1.

One inning later, Taylor Anding hit a solo home run to left center. Sarah Elliott singled to center field, and Breanna Fleschner tripled down the right-field line to send Elliott home for a 4-1 lead.

The Savage Storm came right back and added four runs at the bottom of the fifth before scoring four more runs in the sixth to take a 9-4 lead and eventually the win.

Gillaspy finished going 2-for-4 in the game with two RBIs, and Elliott went 2-for-3.

The Griffons continue action at the Southeastern Regional Invitational Saturday morning at 10 a.m. when they take on Southern Nazarene, followed by a 4.p.m showdown against Henderson State.

— MWSU Sports Information —

Missouri Western sophomore guard Reed Mells scored the Griffons final nine points including six straight free throws down the stretch helping the Griffons to the 79-74 upset over #17 Washburn on Wednesday evening. Mells finished with 18 points, seven assists and three steals. The Griffons improve to 9-12 overall ad 5-8 in MIAA play.

The Griffons played the Ichabods to a 35-35 tie after a Dzenan Mrkaljevic layup with 3:28 to play in the first half. The Ichabods were able to close ona  5-1 run taking a 40-36 haltime lead. Both teams made 13 field goals in the first half with Dylan Frantz leading the Griffons with 12 points on 4-of-6 shooting. Martin Mitchell led the Bods with 20 points on 5-of-7 shooting from long range.

The Griffons continued to sizzle from the field in the second half making 61.9-percent (13-21) of their field goals. The Griffons made 57.8-percent (26-45) from the field and 10-of-20 from long range. The Griffons battled back from being down by as many as nine in the second half.

Back-to-back three’s by Kalvin Balque and Alfreeman Flowers gave the Griffons a 70-67 lead with 3:13 to play in the game. The Ichabods hit a shot cutting the Griffon lead to 70-69 but Mells nailed another three giving MWSU a 73-69 lead with 1:35 to play.

A Martin three cut the Griffon lead to one and down the stretch MWSU escaped a couple of errors and hit its free throws picking up the victory. The Ichabods fall to 14-5 overall and 7-4 in MIAA play.

Despite Mells five other Griffons scored in double figures which included Dzenan Mrkaljevic with 16 points. Dylan Frantz and Alfreeman Flowers each finished with 12 points while Cedric Clinkscales and Kalvin Balque dumped in 11 and 10 points respectively.

For the Ichabods Martin Mitchell scored a game high 32 points. Will McNeill had a double-double with 16 points and 10 rebounds.

The Griffons and the Ichabods will have a rematch a week from tonight on Wednesday, February 13 in St. Joseph, Mo. Game time is set for 7:30 pm in the MWSU Fieldhouse.

— MWSU Sports Information —

Despite forcing 29 Washburn turnovers the Missouri Western women’s basketball team could not overcome the Lady Blues 57-percent shooting on the night falling to 13-8 on the season and 6-7 in MIAA play. The Griffons were led by Heather Howard with 14 points.

The Griffons came out of the gate shooting the ball well making four of their first six shots claiming a 12-9 lead after a Lanicia Lawrence layup with 13:43 to play in the half. The rest of the half was an offensive struggle for the Griffons making just 4-of-18 field goals. During that stretch the Lady Blues outscored the Griffons 17-8 claiming a 26-20 halftime lead. Washburn had nine assists on 11 field goals in the frame and had 18 rebounds to the Griffons five in the first frame.

The second half did not get any better for the Griffons getting outscored 39-28 and shooting just 26-percent (9-34). The Lady Blues improve to 16-3 overall and 10-1 in MIAA play.

For the Lady Blues Laura Kinderknecht scored 16 points and pulled down four rebounds. Stormye Everett had 15 points on the night while Sierra Moeller pulled down a team best seven rebounds.

For the Griffons Howard added five steals while Sharniece Lewis had eight points. Brittany Griswold and Alicia Bell each scored seven points.

The next game for Missouri Western will be a rematch against the Lady Blues on Wednesday, February 13 in St. Joseph, Mo. Game time is set for 5:30 pm in the MWSU Fieldhouse.

— MWSU Sports Information —

Missouri Western State University head football coach Jerry Partridge has announced the signing of 25 football student-athletes to the 2013 National Letter of Intent.

Missouri Western had their most successful season in history a season ago winning the MIAA Title finishing 12-2 overall and 9-1 in MIAA play. Missouri Western made their fourth trip to the NCAA Division II playoffs wining its first two playoff games (Minnesota-Duluth 57-55 3OT & Henderson State 45-21). The Griffons have won nine or more games in seven of the last 10 years. They have also played in a post season game in eight straight years (4 playoff appearances, 4 Mineral Water Bowl games).

Missouri Western signed six offensive lineman, four running backs, four defensive backs, three wide receivers,  three defensive lineman, three tight ends and two quarterbacks.

The Griffons recruited the Midwest region very well. Missouri Western signed 16 players from Missouri, three from Kansas, two from California (Transfers), two from Nebraska, one from Iowa and one from South Carolina (Transfer).

2013 Missouri Western football signees

Emmett Wester
6-3, 255, Offensive Line
(Mt. Union, Iowa / Mt. Pleasent Community HS)
“He is the brother of current offensive lineman Leonard Wester,” commented Partridge. “He is an explosive athletic lineman with a lot of good attributes.”
Was first team All-District and honorable mention All-Hawkeye Land as a senior…as a junior he was honorable mention All-District…plans on majoring in business and accounting at Missouri Western.

Cameron Glenn
6-2, 270, Offensive Lineman
(Ozark, Missouri / Ozark HS)
“Glenn played center on a very good high school football team” commented Partridge. “He is an excellent run blocker and long snapper.”
Was a first team All-Conference and All-District selection…first team All-State…first team AP All-State and was a team captain…undecided on a major at Missouri Western.

Zach Merritt
6-4, 275, Offensive Lineman
(St. Louis, Missouri / Mehlville HS)
“Is a very physical football player with a good frame,” commented Partridge.
Merritt is an All-Conference performer in both football and baseball…undecided on a major at Missouri Western.

Lucas Grossman
6-3, 295, Offensive Lineman
(Lincoln, Nebraska / Lincoln Southwest High School)
“Grossman is a wide shouldered kick who plays with a lot of energy and finishes blocks well,” commented Partridge.
Plans on majoring in education at Missouri Western.

John Carter
6-3, 290, Offensive Line
(Jefferson City, Missouri  / Jefferson City High School)
“He is a very athletic and physical football player,” stated Partridge.
Played under Ted LePage in high school…helped clear the way for 2,156 yards rushing and 1,684 yards passing with his offense scoring 28 points per game as a senior…was a three year letter winner…was a state qualifier at heavyweight for the State Tournament in 2012…plans on majoring in engineering at Missouri Western.

Cal Griencewic
6-5, 290, Defensive Line
(Elkhorn, Nebraska / Elkhorn South High School)
“Cal is a solid player who plays physical,” commented Partridge. “He is a very good high school wreslter.”
He is undecided on a major at Missouri Western…greatest sports moment was recovering a fumble that helped lead his team to victory.

Chris Gillette
6-2, 295, Defensive Line
(St. Charles, Missouri / St. Charles High School)
“Gillette is very aggressive and runs well for his size,” stated Partridge.
Was a second team All-Conference selection as a senior and an honorable mention All-Conference as a junior…had 38 tackles (31 solo, 7 assisted) with on fumble recovery as a senior…undecided on a major at MWSU.

Skyler Windmiller
6-3, 190, Quarterback
(Shawnee, Kansas / Mill Valley High School)
“Windmiller has great leadership skills,” stated Partridge. “He has good arm strength and throws a very good ball. He is an extremely mobile player.”
Played under Joel Applebee and Mike Strack in high school…his dad has had the greatest impact on his athletic career…his greatest sports moment was getting put in on varsity as a sophomore and leading his team to a comeback win…plans on majoring in exercise science at Missouri Western.

TJ LaFaver
6-2, 185, Quarterback
(Warrenton, Missouri / Warrenton High School)
“TJ has great leadership skills and is an extremely talented athlete,” commented Partridge. “He throws a great ball and tested out the best in the class.”
First team All-Conference…team MVP…Writers All-District and Coaches All-District selections…All-Conference second team as a basketball player…completed 141-243 passes for 1,829 yards and 18 touchdowns while rushing 91 times for 466 yards and 11 touchdowns his senior season…plans on majoring in exercise science at Missouri Western.

“We are extremely excited about both Skyler and TJ,” stated Partridge.

Daylon Harper
6-4, 220, Tight End
(Arnold, Missouri / Fox High School)
“Harper has not played a lot of tight end but has the ability to play different positions,” said Partridge. “He is a very good cover guy on special teams.”
Played under Brent Tinker in high school…Coach Nick Gianino has had the greatest impact on his athletic career…greatest sports moment is throwing his first pass as a varsity quarterback his freshman season…he is undecided on a major.

Coltyn Clark
6-3, 200, Tight End
(Bethany, Missouri / South Harrison High School)
“He has the frame to get bigger,” Partridge stated. “He is a very physical aggressive kid.”
First team GRC on the defensive and offensive line…three time All-District defensive lineman…first team All-District…first team All-State Media…third team All-State Coaches…third team NewsPress…Wendy’s Heisman State Finalist…four year captain…four time All-Conference Academic…plans on majoring in civil engineering at Missouri Western.

Austin Burau (Brow)
6-4, 210, Tight End
(Lee’s Summit, Missouri / Lee’s Summit West High School)
“Burau is a very versital player who can split out, play h-back or stay in an block,” commented Partridge. “He is similar to former Griffon Adam Ziesel. He is a good runner with great hands.”

Cody Lindsay
6-2, 210, Running Back / Linebacker
(Ozark, Missouri /Ozark High School)
“A versatile player who played running back in high school,” said Partridge. “Is an undefeated wrestler who has pinned 80% of his oppoents.”

Kendall Short
6-2, 210, Running Back
(Kansas City, Kansas / Mill Valley High School)
“Kendall is a big, slashing physical runner,” stated Partridge.
Undecided on a major at Missouri Western.

Trey Ervin
5-10, 180, Running Back
(Blue Springs, Missouri / Blue Springs South High School)
“Trey has excellent straight line speed,” stated Partridge. “He has the ability to play multiple positions.”
All-Conference performer in football and track…helped his team win the 2011 State Championship…undecided on a major at Missouri Western.

Zac Parmenter
5-9, 215, Running Back
(Smithville, Missouri /Smithville High School)
“Zac is a tough player and great competitor,” commented Partridge. “Dominant player in the MEC.”
First team All-Conference…first team All-District and first team All-State…plans on majoring in business at Missouri Western.

Justin Smith
6-3, 200, Wide Receiver
(O’Fallon, Missouri / Fort Zumwalt-South High School)
“Justin is a big play wide receiver who could also play defensive back,” stated Partridge. “He is an explosive athlete with great hands.”
He was a first team All-Conference, All-District, third team All-State and All-Metro as a defensive back…second team All-Conference as a wide receiver…as a senior he had 21 catches for 341 yards and 5 touchdowns and had 7 interceptions, 22 tackles, 2 fumble recoveries…Fort Zumwalt South Defensive Player of the Year…St. Louis Cardinal Athlete of the Week…Fort Zumwalt South Crown Trophy Athlete of the Month…plans on majoring in sports management at Missouri Western.

Chris Hughes
6-1, 195, Wide Receiver
(Wichita, Kansas / Wichita Northwest High School)
“Hughes played multiple positions in high school including quarterback,” said Partridge. “Is an explosive big play athlete.”
All-Conference, All-District and All-Leader selections…team captain…plans on majoring in health and exercise science at MWSU.

Chad Bruder
6-0, 185, Wide Receiver
(St. Joseph, Missouri / Central High School)
“Chad has the Griffon bloodlines as he dad Eric played at MWSU back in the ’80’s,” stated Partridge. “We will not find a better competitor in this class.”
Was an All-City and second team All-Conference wide receiver in 2012…honorable mention All-Conference defensive back…All-City defensive back in 2011…in 2012 he had 23 receptions for 220 yards and two touchdowns as well as two interceptions and 11 passes defended…undecided on a major at Missouri Western.

Jonathan Owens
5-11, 190, Defensive Back
(St. Louis, Missouri / Christian Brothers College)
“JO is a great big play defender with a 37 inch vertical,” said Partridge.
Goes by JO…played under Scott Pingle at CBC…coach Pingle and his mother has had the greatest impact on his athletic career…greatest sports moment was winning 66-28 in the semi final game before state…is undecided on a major at MWSU.

Logan Williams
6-3, 200, Defensive Back
(Webb City, Missouri / Webb City High School)
“Logan is a great athlete and a big hitter,” commented Partridge.
Helped his team to three State Championships (2010, 2011, 2012)…second team All-State…All-District…first team All-SWMFBCA…had 92 tackles (40 solo, 52 assisted)…had four interceptions and five fumble recoveries…plans on majoring in nursing at Missouri Western.

Donte Watkins
5-11, 185, Defensive Back
(Blue Springs, Missouri / Blue Springs High School)
“Donte is a terrific open field tackler with very long arms,” commented Partridge. “Played saftey in high school but will start out at corner here. He has great leadership qualities.”

Transfers

Kalan Booker
6-0, 200, Defensive Back
(Los Angeles, California / Los Angeles Valley College)
“Booker is a good atlete and a solid tackler,” stated Partrdige.
Plans on majoring in kinesiology at Missouri Western.

John Oglesby
6-3, 260, Defensive Line
(Bakersfield, California / Bakersfield College / Highland High School)
“John is a tough kid with very long arms,” commented Partridge. “Is a good athlete who will make an immediate impact at MWSU.”
He was a first team All-Conference and second team All-Conference at Bakersfield College…in high school he wsa a three time first team All-Conference selection…he is undecided on a major at Missouri Western.

Jac’que Polite
6-5, 300, Offensive Line
(Ridgeland, South Carolina / Gray Military Academy / Ridgeland High School)
“Very strong, explosive and explosive athlete who could also play defensive tackle,” commented Partridge.
At Gray Military Academy he was voted most dedicated and was his teams Offensive Lineman of the Year both seasons…was also named a team captain while earning the Big Dog Award…in high school he was voted most dedicated and a team captain…was also an All-Area selection..plans on majoring in physical education at Missouri Western.

— MWSU Sports Information —

Missouri Western volleyball head coach Cory Frederick and assistant coach Marian Carbin have announced the dates for the 2013 Griffon Volleyball Camp. The camp will go from June 9-11th in St. Joseph, Mo.

The camp is a general and setter camp on the campus of Missouri Western State University at the Looney Complex. The camp is open to players that are 12 and older. There will be a 7:1 player to coach ratio to maximize individual instruction. This is both a commuter and overnight camp. The camp will focus on skills and practice ideas that can help players improve after they leave camp. The setter camp will be based on principles and techniques that are taught at Stanford University’s advanced setter camp.

The cost of the camp is $125 for commuter campers (no meals), $155 for commuter campers (3 meals: Day 2 – lunch & dinner; Day 3 – lunch), $225 for residential campers (includes 2 nights in the dorms and all meals). There is no additional charge for the setter camp. The campers will receive a camp shirt and six training sessions.

The camp will start on Sunday, June 9th with residential check-in starting at 3:30 pm while commuter check-in will be at 6:00 pm in the MWSU Fieldhouse. The first session will run from 6:30 pm – 9:00 pm Sunday evening. Campers have the option to stay over night this year in the MWSU dorms. There are six meals included but you need to bring bed sheets, towels and toiletries. On Monday, June 10th session 2, 3 and 4 will take place while sessions 5 and 6 will take place on Tuesday, June 11th. Sessions 3 and 5 are the setter mini camp.

Pleas bring athletic shoes, knee pads, water bottle and ankle braces, if necessary. With any question please contact Assistant Volleyball Coach Marian Carbin at mcarbin@missouriwestern.edu.

— MWSU Sports Information —

The Missouri Western men’s basketball team couldn’t stop Northeastern State from shooting the ball well and gaining extra possessions, and lost Saturday evening at MWSU Fieldhouse 73-61.

Missouri Western dropped to 8-12 and 4-8 in the conference, and Northeastern improved to 15-5 overall, and is 8-4 in the MIAA.

Missouri Western came out knocking down three 3-pointers to take a 9-3 lead in the first 3 minutes of the matchup. Alex Tuluka-Mfumupembe knocked down two 3s and Reed Mells added another. Cedric Clinkscales added four more points to give the Griffons a 13-5 lead with 16 minutes, 12 seconds to play in the first half.

The Griffons eventually took an 18-10 lead minutes later, but went cold from the field and Northeastern took advantage, going on a 15-0 run to jump out to a 25-18 lead with 8:41 left. John Schneider stepped off the bench and went 3-for-3 with six points and six boards to help lead the comeback for the RiverHawks.

Northeastern took a 31-23 lead into halftime, and the Griffons stayed in the game early in the second half thanks two 3s, one by Dzenan Mrkaljevic and one by Tuluka-Mfumpembe. The RiverHawks shot well from the 3-point line too, however, and took a 48-33 lead with 15 minutes left. Northeastern shot 54 percent from the field in the second half.

The RiverHawks consistently stayed ahead of the Griffons the rest of the way, taking a 20-point lead 62-42 with 7:38 left in the game, and took the win 73-61.

Bryton Hobbs nailed four 3s and was 10-for-17 from the field, scoring 32 points to help Northeastern win. Clinkscales led the Griffons with a team-high 13 points and was 6-for-12. Mrkaljevic added 12 points and eight boards.

The Griffons next travel to Topeka, Kan. to play Washburn Wednesday night at 7:30 p.m.

— MWSU Sports Information —