ST. JOSEPH – The Missouri Western baseball team stretched its win streak to six games with its second consecutive MIAA sweep. The Griffons defeated Southwest Baptist Sunday 6-5 to complete the sweep of the Bearcats as they improve to 9-7 this season and 6-0 in the MIAA.

A Nick Gawley RBI-single in the eighth scored David Glaude for what would be the game-winning run Southwest Baptist falls to 9-6 and 1-5 in league play.

NOTABLES
– Missouri Western is off to a 6-0 start in MIAA play and is tied for first in the league standings after entering MIAA play in last place a little more than a week ago

– The Griffons led 4-0 after two innings and 5-2 after three, but allowed three Southwest Baptist runs in the top of the sixth to tie the game at five each

– Gawley’s RBI in the eighth proved to be the game winner

– Glaude extended his on-base streak to 16 games, every game this season

– Glaude also moved four RBIs from breaking the MWSU career record (134)

– Gawley extended his hit streak to 11 games

– It’s the Griffons’ best MIAA start since winning its first 13 league games in 2013

TOP PERFORMERS
– Jeremy Alvarado went 3-for-5 at the plate with an RBI

– Glaude was 2-for-4 with two RBIs and two runs scored

– Gawley was 2-for-5 with an RBI, a run and two stolen bases

– Dusty Stroup went 2-for-4 at the plate

– Andrew Curry went 2-for-2 at the plate with a run scored after entering as a pinch runner

– Kellan Richards (1-0) got the win, striking out the only batter he faced in the eighth

– Alex Heuring came out of left field to earn his second save of the season

UP NEXT
The Griffons play their next seven games on the road, beginning with a three-game series at Pittsburg State (7-10, 1-5) next weekend.

— MWSU Athletics —

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – The fourth-seeded Missouri Western women’s basketball had its season come to an end Friday as they lost to No. 5 seed Central Oklahoma 69-58 in the quarterfinals of the MIAA Tournament inside Municipal Auditorium at Kansas City.

The Griffon end the season 21-8, while the Bronchos improve to 24-6 and they advance to play No. 9 seed Lindenwood Saturday in the MIAA semifinals.

NOTABLES
– Missouri Western shot 32 percent from the field, its third lowest output of the season

– MWSU had three players score in the double-figures

– Central Oklahoma won the rebounding margin by 17, 47-30

– The Bronchos out-scored the Griffons 20-12 in the fourth quarter

– Missouri Western carried a 32-24 scoring advantage in the paint

– UCO shot 26 of its 27 free-throws in the second half, with MWSU shooting eight of its 12

TOP PERFORMERS
– Dwanisha Tate scored 15 points with two steals

– Chelsea Dewey and Sefulu Faavae combined for 26 points and five assists

– Olivia Mason netted 15 points and grabbed 12 rebounds for Central Oklahoma

— MWSU Athletics —

ST. JOSEPH – The Missouri Western baseball team (7-7, 4-0 MIAA) won its fourth consecutive game, beating Southwest Baptist (10-4, 1-3 MIAA) 10-3 at the Spring Sports Complex Friday afternoon.

NOTABLES

• Missouri Western turned three double plays on the afternoon
• MWSU scored two runs in the second inning with two outs
• David Glaude reach base safely for the 14^th consecutive game
• Nick Gawley extended his hitting streak to nine games
• Griffon pitchers gave up just one earned run on the day

TOP PERFORMERS

• David Glaude went 2-for-4 including a triple, two runs scored and drove in three runs, moving him into second on the career RBIs list
• Nick Gawley was 2-for-3 with three RBIs and a stolen base, his 10^th on the season
• Bottom third of the order for Missouri Western combined to go 5-for-8, five runs scored and two RBIs

UP NEXT
The Griffons hosts Southwest Baptist tomorrow, March 4, for the second game of the series at 1 p.m.

 

— MWSU Athletics —

ST. JOSEPH – As the fanfare of March Madness nears and fans converge on Municipal Auditorium, this year marks the 15th Anniversary of the MIAA Basketball Championships in Kansas City. The inaugural year will always be special for Missouri Western as both the Griffon men’s and women’s basketball teams advanced to the championship games, including a 75-65 victory over Washburn in the title game for the Griffon men.

As part of the commemoration of 15 years of the championships in Kansas City, the MIAA will recognize the 2003 tournament champion Griffons as part of the tournament on Saturday, March 4 during a semifinal game to be determined.

The 2002-03 Griffons were led by head coach Tom Smith who won his fourth title that season, second most in MIAA history. Statistically, the team was paced by the one-two punch of seniors Damon Bailey and Larry Taylor. Bailey (6-5, Forward, San Antonio, Texas) averaged 18 points and six rebounds entering the tournament and excelled even further on the big stage, scoring 74 points during the weekend, including a 27-point effort in the title game and was named the tournament MVP. Taylor (6-1, Guard, Chicago, Ill.) ran the point guard position for the Griffons and was also named to the All-Tournament team after a 17-point, six-rebound, five-assist effort in the victory over Washburn. In all, the team finished with a 23-8 record and a berth in the NCAA Tournament which was Smith’s ninth at MWSU.

2002-03 – Griffon Men’s Basketball Roster
#1 – Altaurus “Tee” Mason – Guard
#3 – Lynn Stevenson – Forward
#4 – Jay Gentry – Guard
#10 – Lou Chapman – Guard
#21 – Levar Grace – Forward
#22 – Cy Musser – Guard
#23 – Mario Davis – Forward
#24 – Larry Taylor – Guard
#25 – Matt Grove – Guard
#33 – Tyrice Mitchell – Forward
#34 – Damon Bailey – Forward
Head Coach – Tom Smith
Assistant Coach – Mike Nicholson
Graduate Assistant – Brett Esely
Manager – Shannon Petsche

In addition to the 2003 appearances, Griffon teams have appeared in the title game of the MIAA Basketball Championship three additional times. Below is a recap of tournament championship game history along with All-Tournament Team members and record holders from the Kansas City portion of the championship.

March 9, 2003 – Washburn 71 Griffon Women’s Basketball 60
After a low-scoring first half in which the Griffons trailed at halftime, 22-18, more than 90 points were scored combined by both teams in the second half. The Griffon front court of Nicole Lindsay (20 points, 10 rebounds) and Steph Jones (23 points) paced the way.

March 4, 2007 – Washburn 71 Griffon Women’s Basketball 70
After trailing by 21 points late in the first half, the Griffons stormed back to take a late lead. However a foul and a free throw late earned the Ichabods the tournament title. Guard Yanique Javois led all scorers with 21 points while guard Tiffany Davis grabbed 12 rebounds and dishing out 6 assists.

March 8, 2009 – Central Missouri 86 Griffon Men’s Basketball 84 – OT
In a true Cinderella-like weekend, Griffon Men’s Basketball entered the 2009 MIAA Championship as the 8-seed, and limping in by all accounts after two sizable road defeats the week before. The slipper certainly fit during the weekend as they upset No. 1 Southwest Baptist and No. 4 Fort Hays State in route to one of the most exciting finals the tournament has ever seen. Six players scored in double figures led by forward Marcus Rhodes as the Griffons were defeated by No. 2-seeded Central Missouri in overtime, 86-84. It was the second consecutive year that the No. 8 seed had advanced to the championship game.

ALL-TIME KANSAS CITY ALL TOURNAMENT TEAM MEMBERS – 2003 – PRESENT
WOMEN:
2003: Nicole Lindsay – F, Steph Jones – F
2004: Danielle McKinley – G
2006: Jill Johnson – F
2007: Ashleigh Curry – G, Tiffany Davis – G, Yanique Javois – F

MEN:
2003: Damon Bailey (MVP) – F, Larry Taylor – G
2004: Robert Bishop – G
2009: Lonnel Johnson – G, Marcus Rhodes – F

ALL-TIME SINGLE YEAR RECORDS, KANSAS CITY PORTION – 2003 – PRESENT
Men:
Points scored 2nd – Damon Bailey – 74, (3 games) – 2003

Women:
Assists 1st – Tiffany Davis – 27, (3 games) – 2007
Blocks 4th – Inga Buzoka – 12, (3 games)

ALL-TIME SINGLE GAME RECORDS, KANSAS CITY PORTION – 2003 – PRESENT
Women:
Assists 1st – Tiffany Davis – 15 vs. Pittsburg State – 3/2/07

— MWSU Athletics —

ST. JOSEPH – The Missouri Western softball team is back in the National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) top 25 poll. The Griffons enter this week’s poll at No. 24 after winning nine of its last 10 games to sit at 16-4.

Western ranks near the top of the MIAA in nearly every statistical category, including leading the league in doubles, and ranking second in slugging percentage (.488), on base percentage (.399) and fielding percentage (.978).

Individually, Sydney Washington’s five home runs lead the MIAA and Katie Klosterman’s three sacrifice flies are tops among MIAA hitters. Shelbie Atwell sits third in the conference with a .466 batting average, and Klosterman and Washington are tied for second with 37 RBIs each.

Missouri Western is one of two MIAA representatives in this week’s poll with Central Oklahoma ranked No. 11. The Griffons host Lindenwood on March 10 in the team’s home and MIAA opener.

— MWSU Athletics —

ST. JOSEPH – Three members of the Missouri Western women’s basketball team received All-MIAA honors on Tuesday.

Chelsea Dewey highlighted the group as a first team selection. Sefulu Faavae was named All-Defensive team along with honorable mention, and Dwanisha Tate was also named honorable mention.

It was the first time Dewey had been named first team after earning honorable mention distinction as a junior. Dewey finished fourth in the MIAA with 4.3 assists per game and led the conference with a 3.3 assist to turnover ratio. The guard led Missouri Western with her 13.3 points per game and finished third in the MIAA by averaging 33.8 minutes per game.

Faavae was named MIAA All-Defensive Team as well as being an honorable mention All-MIAA selection. The senior led the MIAA with 72 total steals, 2.6 per game. Faavae also wasn’t far behind Dewey at seventh in the MIAA with 3.5 assists per game.

Tate finished the regular season strong and earned herself honorable mention All-MIAA. The senior guard averaged 12.3 points per game and shot close to 41 percent from the field while pulling down 4.4 rebounds per game.

The three All-MIAA performers will face the winner of Tuesday’s Northwest Missouri at Central Oklahoma game on Friday night at 8:30 in Kansas City’s historical Municipal Auditorium.

Player of the Year
Kelly Moten, G, Sr., ESU

Defensive Player of the Year
Kelly Moten, G, Sr., ESU

Freshman of the Year
Kallie Bildner, F, Fr., LWU

Coach of the Year
Lane Lord, PSU

All-MIAA First Team
Kelly Moten, G, Jr., ESU**[r3]
Mikaela Burgess, So., G, PSU**[r2]
Paige Redmond, So., G, UCM**
Melinda Murillo, Jr., G, UCO
Chelsea Dewey, Sr., G, MWSU
**Unanimous Selection
[r2] Two time repeat First Team Selection
[r3] Three time repeat First Team Selection

All-MIAA Second Team
Megan Rosenbohm, Jr., G, SBU
Deb Holcomb, Sr., G, MSSU
Kathrynn Flott, Sr., F, ESU
Tanya Meyers, Jr., F, NWMSU
Alyxis Bowens, Sr., F, WU

All-MIAA Third Team
Hayden Herlocker, Sr., G, PSU
Michaela Barry, Jr., G, UNK
Addie Lakey, Jr., G, ESU
Rylie Torrey, So, G, NSU
Jesheon Cooper, Jr., C, UCO

All-MIAA Defensive Team
Kelly Moten, Sr., G, ESU
Paige Lungwitz, Sr., G, PSU
Kayonna Lee, Jr., F, UCM
Sefulu Faavae, Sr., F, MWSU
Jesheon Cooper, Jr., C, UCO

All-MIAA Honorable Mention
Kayonna Lee, UCM
Megan Skaggs, UCM
Marley Anderson, UCO
Olivia Mason, UCO
Carly Heim, FHSU
Jill Faxon, FHSU
Nikola Kacperska, FHSU
Tatyana Legette, FHSU
Hunter Yoakum, LU
Kallie Bildner, LWU
Desirea Burge, MSSU
Dwanisha Tate, MWSU
Sefulu Faavae, MWSU
Cailyn Long, NSU
Jasmine Howe, NWMSU
Madison Northcutt, PSU
Shelby Lopez, PSU
Paige Lungwitz, PSU
Caylee Richardson, SBU
Erika Lane, WU

— MWSU Athletics —

TOPEKA, Kan. – The Missouri Western baseball team beat Washburn 6-3 in 12 innings Monday and they swept the opening conference series. Missouri Western scored three runs in the ninth inning and added three more in the 12th. MWSU improves to 6-7 this season and 3-0 in the MIAA.

NOTABLES
– MWSU scored on a bases loaded walk, a sacrifice fly and a wild pitch to tie the game in the top of the ninth

– The Griffons scored all three runs in the top of the 12th inning with two outs

– Three of Missouri Western’s six runs were earned

– Washburn stranded 11 runners on base

– Nine pitchers combined to throw nine strikeouts and only four walks for MWSU

TOP PERFORMERS
– Nick Gawley accounted for the tying run and drove in the winning run for the Griffons

– Dusty Stroup went 2-for-6 at the plate and scored two runs

– Ryan Fisher was 2-for-2 with two RBIs after pinch hitting in the top of the 11th inning

UP NEXT
Missouri Western opens its first conference home series on Friday, March 3 at the Spring Sports Complex against Southwest Baptist with first pitch set for 2 p.m.

— MWSU Athletics —

KANEOHE, Hawaii – What was supposed to be a day of rest and relaxation for Griffon softball turned into another doubleheader, a win and a loss on Monday.

Missouri Western (16-4) played its doubleheader at Hawaii Pacific (7-3) one day earlier than originally scheduled and nearly extended its winning streak to 10 games. The Griffons took game one 3-2 before falling 5-4 in nine innings in the finale.

NOTBALES
– Barbara Billingsley retired two-straight batters with the tying run on in the bottom of the seventh of game one

– MWSU scored one in the seventh to force extra innings in game two after Morgan Rathmann walked and Shelbie Atwell drove her in with a double

– Paige Shifflett gave the Griffons a 3-2 lead in the eighth when she tripled then scored on an error

– Riley Wilson put the Griffons up 4-3 in the ninth when she took home on a double-steal attempt that got Rathmann caught at second

– The Griffons were charged with five errors on the day

TOP PERFORMERS
– Sydney Washington hit .571 in the doubleheader with a run scored

– Rebekah Mueller went 3-for-6 at the plate on the day with one RBI

– Rathmann was 3-for-8 at the plate with a run scored

– Shelbie Atwell hit her eighth double of the season

– Billingsley picked up the win in game one and the loss in game two, pitching 2 1/3 innings of relief. She only allowed one earned run in 9 1/3 innings of work in the doubleheader

UP NEXT
Missouri Western gets this coming weekend off before opening the home and MIAA portions of its schedule on March 10 when the Griffons host Lindenwood (3-6).

— MWSU Athletics —

ST. JOSEPH – Missouri Western men’s basketball junior guard Cole Clearman was named honorable mention All-MIAA as the teams were released Monday.

Clearman led the Griffons with a career-high 14.8 points per game. He also led the team in free throw percentage (88.2), assists (87), three-point field goals (77) and minutes played (1,014). The junior from Bettendorf, Iowa finished third in the MIAA, shooting 41.3 percent from three-point range and fourth in the conference with 2.7 made threes per game. He also led the MIAA, averaging 36.1 minutes per game.

The guard was the lone Griffon named All-MIAA, and earned the distinction for the first time in his career. Clearman matched his career high with 25 points on Nov. 21 against Lake Superior State. He recorded career-highs this season in rebounds (11 vs. Fort Hays State), assists (8 vs. Maryville), steals (4, twice), field goals made (9 vs. Maryville) and free throws made (8 vs. Baker).

— MWSU Athletics —

TOPEKA, Kan. – The Missouri Western baseball team scored one run in top of the eighth inning and added one more in the top of the ninth to rally past Washburn 2-1 Sunday afternoon in Topeka.

The Griffons have won the first two games of the series as they improve to 5-7 and 2-0 in the MIAA. The Ichabods fall to 8-5 and 0-2 in league play.

NOTABLES
– Nick Gawley hit a game winning solo home run in the top of the ninth inning.

– Missouri Western outhit Washburn 13-11.

– Griffon pitchers combined for seven strikeouts and issued only two walks.

– Washburn scored a run in the third inning but left two runners stranded.

– MWSU loaded the bases in the top of the third inning but couldn’t get a run across.

TOP PERFORMERS
– Nate Hunter pitched six innings, gave up one run on six hits with two walks and four strikeouts.

– Connor Simpson went 2-for-4 and drove in the tying run in the top of the eighth inning.

– Jared Lloyd picked up the win out of the bullpen as he threw 1 2/3 innings and struck out two of the six batters he faced.

UP NEXT
Missouri Western goes the series sweep in Topeka on Monday, Feb. 27 at 1 p.m.

— MWSU Athletics —