College – Page 265 – St. Joseph Post Archive

Frank Mason’s jumper with 1.8 seconds left lifts No. 7 Kansas over No. 1 Duke

Posted on November 16, 2016

NEW YORK (AP) — Kansas had already gone through a tough loss this season, falling in overtime to Indiana in Honolulu.

On Tuesday night, the Jayhawks went from looking like easy winners to facing another excruciating loss. But a short jumper by Frank Mason III with 1.8 seconds to go gave the Jayhawks a 77-75 victory over top-ranked Duke in the State Farm Champions Classic at Madison Square Garden.

“The play was to [isolate] me, and my teammates did a good job of spacing the floor,” Mason said. “It felt good when it left my hand.”

A long 3 at the buzzer by Duke’s Frank Jackson was off line.

The Jayhawks (1-1) beat a top-ranked team for the eighth time.

Seventh-ranked Kansas held off top-ranked Duke behind 21 points from Frank Mason III.
“This was more of a must-win for us than it was for Duke. Not that there’s must-win this time of year, but I think it will do something for us because for the first time, we won a game where we shot it like crap,” Kansas coach Bill Self said. “So hopefully we learned some lessons and know that you cannot be great offensively and still win if you [don’t] do little things and play aggressively. So I think it should bode well for us moving forward.”

Self was all smiles talking about his senior point guard.

“He’s made a lot of big plays for us,” Self said of Mason. “I don’t know if he’s made any game winners, but he’s made plays to put us in overtime. Yeah, he’s a stud.”

“Mason made a big-time play, and it was well-guarded,” Duke coach Mike Krzyzewski said. “He just made a big-time play.”

Kansas was ahead 62-50 with eight minutes to play, but the Blue Devils (2-1) — despite a terrible shooting game by Grayson Allen, the leading vote-getter on The Associated Press’ preseason All-America team — managed to suddenly start hitting shots, and they tied the game at 75 with 15 seconds left on a 3-pointer by Jackson.

Kansas called a timeout with 8.2 seconds left and set up the game winner.

“That was quite a play we called, just get out of his way,” Self said.

“I just took advantage of the separation I created, and I just shot the ball,” Mason said. “It felt good when it left my hand, and I just thank God that it went in.”

Mason, who had a career-high 30 points in the loss to Indiana, led Kansas with 21 points. Freshman Josh Jackson added 15, and Devonte’ Graham had 13.

Luke Kennard led five Duke players in double figures with 22 points. Allen finished with 12 points on 4-for-15 shooting.

“I think Grayson had a very frustrating game,” Krzyzewski said of Allen, who started the game by making one of 12 shots from the field. “I think you can’t expect to get a foul. I think he’s going to a point where he makes a move and it’s a good move, and he expects a foul. I’m not saying they’re not calling fouls. You can’t do that. That can’t be what you’re doing. The last few minutes, he moved well. He’s playing hard when he gets the ball, and he needs to play harder when he doesn’t have the ball. It’s what he did in the last few minutes.”

Kansas finished 2-for-17 from 3-point range, but the Jayhawks shot 50.8 percent overall (33-of-65), including making 60.6 percent (20-of-33) in the second half.

Duke shot 48.9 percent (23-of-47) for the game, including 8-for-19 on 3s.

BIG PICTURE

Duke: In their first two games, the Blue Devils held opponents to 55.0 points per game on 32.3 percent shooting, including 16.2 percent from 3-point range, while forcing an average of 17 turnovers. … This was the 950th consecutive game in which the Blue Devils made at least one 3-pointer. That’s the fourth-longest stretch in Division I history. … Duke again played without freshmen Harry Giles and Jayson Tatum. Krzyzewski has said they will be brought along slowly as they rehab from injuries.

Kansas: The Jayhawks were facing an AP No. 1 team for the 24th time and the first time since the 2014 Champions Classic, in which they lost to Kentucky 72-40. They are 8-16 all-time against No. 1s. … The Jayhawks’ opening game was a 103-99 overtime loss to then-No. 11 Indiana in Honolulu. “If you’re going to travel 11,000 miles, you might as well get a win,” Self said.

Duke was No. 1 in the preseason poll and the first voting of the regular season. That will change with the loss. Kansas was No. 3 in the preseason poll and dropped to seventh with the loss to Indiana, but the Jayhawks should move up a couple spots with the win over Duke.

HELLO, MELO

Krzyzewski walked onto the court before the game and went straight across to see Carmelo Anthony of the New York Knicks. The two shared a hug and a laugh. They combined to win three Olympic gold medals for the United States.

UP NEXT

Duke: The Blue Devils stay in the Northeast, heading to the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame Tip-Off at Uncasville, Connecticut, on Friday and Saturday. They open against Penn State.

Kansas: The Jayhawks finally get to play in Allen Fieldhouse when they face Siena on Friday.

— Associated Press —

MWSU volleyball loses in three sets at No. 11 Washburn in MIAA Quarterfinals

Posted on November 16, 2016

TOPEKA, Kan. – Missouri Western’s Volleyball season came to an end Tuesday night as they lost 3-0 (27-25, 25-17, 26-24) to # 11 Washburn in the quarterfinals of the MIAA Tournament.

The Griffons started well and carried a 6-0 run with Kayla Ruff at the service line to take a 13-5 lead. Washburn eventually gained back the momentum with a rally of its own and won the first set. Another rally midway through the second set allowed the Ichabods to extend their match lead to 2-0. Missouri Western would not go down easy as they jumped out to a 5-1 advantage to start the set. Washburn again countered with a run midway through the set to win the match.

Kayla Ruff finished with 23 digs as Stephanie Doak led the MWSU attack with nine kills. Lauren Murphy finished with a match high 35 assists.

Missouri Western finishes the season 17-15 and 9-10 in the MIAA. The Griffons also had five players named to All-MIAA teams for 2016.

— MWSU Athletics —

Big run carries Kansas State to 81-68 win over Omaha

Posted on November 16, 2016

MANHATTAN, Kan. (AP) — The first few minutes of Tuesday night’s contest against Nebraska-Omaha were not the greatest if you’re a Kansas State fan. However, things turned in their favor and the worries in Bramlege Coliseum turned to cheers.

After opening up the game going 1 for 6 from the field, Kansas State went on a 21-0 run to defeat Nebraska Omaha 81-68 victory.

The Wildcats (2-0) were down 13-4 when the run came. DJ Johnson and Barry Brown capped the run with back-to-back 3-point plays for a 12 point lead at the 9 minute mark.

“We always want to get out and get going in those first five minutes,” Johnson said. “We just started off slow tonight.”

Kansas State led 42-31 at the half and ended up shooting 51 percent.

Brown finished with 15 points and Wesley Iwundu and Kamau Stokes had 14 apiece for K-State.

Stokes sandwiched a pair of 3-points around a Xavier Sneed 3 as the Wildcats opened the second half with nine quick points. Iwundu had a 3-point play at the 11:19 mark to push the lead to 20 points.

Tre-Deon Hollins led the Mavericks (1-2) with 12 points. Zach Jackson had 11 points and eight rebounds. This was the third game in four days for the Mavericks but head coach Derrin Hansen remains optimistic as his team continues in the early part of the season.

“I think we have a good basketball team,” Hansen said. “I think we have a chance to have a good year. I know it was hard, but it was set up in a situation where we are going to learn a lot about ourselves.

“We have to play every possession. We cannot hit home runs. Give K-State credit in this game. I really like their guards.”

BIG PICTURE

Omaha: Marcus Tyus has led the Mavericks in scoring through the first two games of the season but was held to only two points as he dealt with foul trouble most of the night.

Kansas State: Starting forward Dean Wade was the only starter to not score in double figures as he finished with three points.

STAT OF THE NIGHT: Kansas State was plus-7 on assist-to-turnover ratio while Nebraska-Omaha was minus-3.

INJURY: Kansas State forward Dante Williams returned to practice this week but sat out during Tuesday night’s contest as he is recovering from a concussion suffered this past week.

UP NEXT

Omaha: After opening up the season with their first three games on the road, the Mavericks will play their first home game against Rice on Saturday.

Kansas State: The Wildcats host Hampton on Sunday in the third game of a four game home stand to start the season.

— Associated Press —

Northwest Missouri State volleyball gets swept by Central Oklahoma

Posted on November 16, 2016

The Northwest Missouri State University volleyball team fell to Central Oklahoma, 3-0, on Tuesday evening at the Hamilton Field House in Edmond, Okla. in the first round of the MIAA Tournament.

– No. 25 ranked Northwest finishes the season with a 22-9 overall record. The Bronchos, ranked No. 9 in the nation, improved to 30-3.

– The 22 wins are the most by a Northwest team since the 1999 squad’s 25-11 overall record.

– Maddy Bruder had 12 kills for the Bearcats. She tallied six digs and one block, defensively.

Key Northwest Statistics
– The Bearcats fell in three sets by scores of 25-20, 25-20 and 25-22.

– Miranda Foster had 14 digs and eight kills. She also tallied four blocks and one assist.

– Olivia Nowakowski tied Foster for a team-best 14 digs. She had three service aces in the match.

– Jackie Becker had eight kills to go along with five blocks. She also had three digs and one assist.

– Alexis Williams had eight kills and one dig.
– Sarah Dannettell recorded 31 assists, seven digs, one block and one kill.

Key Northwest Sequence
– The Bearcats jumped out to an early lead in the second powered by a 7-1 run. Down 7-5, Foster and Williams put away back-to-back kills to tie the match, 7-7. After a Broncho attacking error, Williams put away a kill to give Northwest a two-point lead, 9-7. UCO would get a point back but Williams came up with another kill to push the lead back to two. Becker put away a kill and then combined with Dannettell on a block on the next play to give the Bearcats a four-point advantage, 12-8.

— Northwest Athletics —

Webster and Jacobsen lead Nebraska past Mary 70-38

Posted on November 16, 2016November 16, 2016

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — Nebraska led overmatched University of Mary by 10 points less than five minutes into the game Tuesday on its way to a 70-38 win in a game that gave the Huskers bench the opportunity to play more than half the minutes.

That was key for a team that has only five experienced players on the roster, all of whom start.

“It was good for them to get a feel for what the game is like,” said Michael Jacobsen, who led the Huskers with 10 points. “We’ve been practicing for about two months now. It’s hard when you go against each other so much. … In the game it’s a totally different feel. I think it’s good for them to get their minutes and just figure out their roles.”

All five of Nebraska’s non-starters played at least 20 minutes and combined for 30 points with each making at least a field goal. That was a marked improvement from Sunday’s home opener against Sacramento State in which the Nebraska bench made just two field goals and contributed only nine points.

“It was really, really important,” said Isaiah Roby, who came off the bench to score seven points in 24 minutes. “Obviously, we have to execute stuff against other people and also just getting tired. All of us were dripping sweat. … He (Nebraska coach Tim Miles) kind of challenged us to step our game up tonight. We still have a lot to work on obviously … but I think we stepped up a little bit more.”

Nebraska (2-0) was never challenged by the NCAA Division II school from North Dakota that is Miles’ alma mater. Nebraska went up by 12-2 on Jack McVeigh’s 3-pointer at the 15:18 mark and stretched the lead to 30-8 on another of McVeigh’s 3s with 5:52 left in the first half.

Mary (0-3) cut the Nebraska lead to 15 on Damonta Henry’s 3-pointer that opened the second half. But the Huskers quickly pushed the lead over 20, going up 41-19 on McVeigh’s 3-pointer with 17:37 left. Nebraska’s largest lead was 32.

The Marauders struggled against the Nebraska defense, hitting just 7 of 28 shots in the first half and finished 29 percent from the field. The bigger, stronger Huskers also dominated on the boards, outrebounding Mary 45-21

Nebraska hit 50 percent of its shots, but committed 17 turnovers

Mary played in front of the largest crowd it will likely see this season (8,459). Attendance at Marauder games, home and on the road, averages about 1,000. That should work to Mary’s advantage, said coach Joe Kittell.

“There’s not going to be any atmosphere that’s going to be more hostile than this,” Kittell said. “Our guys understand that, played in it, and it shouldn’t bother us anymore. Really excited about this group, I know we’re zero and three right now but there are a lot of good kids out there. They want to win, they want to get better.”

BIG PICTURE
Nebraska: Miles said the relatively low score and margin of victory can be attributed to Mary’s strategy of running down the shot clock on offense and impatience on the part of the Huskers once they finally got the ball.

University of Mary: The Marauders took full advantage of a game against a Division I foe, chartering a flight to bring fans from Bismarck to Lincoln. Those who paid $289 for the trip got lunch with Nebraska football coach Mike Riley, a tour of the athletic facilities and a dinner with Nebraska baseball coach and North Dakota native Darin Erstad.

UP NEXT

Nebraska will host Louisiana Tech at 7 p.m. Saturday, a starting time set to avoid conflict with the Nebraska-Maryland football game at 11 a.m.

Mary will return to Bismarck where it will host Yellowstone Christian Monday.

— Associated Press —

MWSU’s Caldwell, Anderson named All-MIAA 1st Team; 13 Griffons honored

Posted on November 15, 2016November 15, 2016

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Thirteen members of the 2016 Missouri Western football team were named to All-MIAA teams released Tuesday morning.

Highlighting Missouri Western’s selections were unanimous first team selections Josh Caldwell and Travis Anderson. For Anderson, it was his third consecutive first team nod as an offensive lineman. Caldwell became All-MIAA for the first time in his career.

FIRST TEAM
Josh Caldwell: The sophomore dominated the MIAA in his first season as the Griffons’ feature back. Caldwell led the MIAA with 1,408 rushing yards, finishing the regular season with 583 yards more than the conference’s second leading rusher. The Lee’s Summit, Missouri native was the only MIAA rusher to average more than 100 yards per game on the ground, finishing with an average of 128 per contest. Caldwell also finished second in the MIAA, averaging 133.5 all-purpose yards per game and his 10 rushing touchdowns were third most in the conference. It was Caldwell’s second honor this season after also being named a first team CoSIDA Academic All-District selection.

Travis Anderson: The sixth-year senior became the first Griffon offensive lineman to earn three first team All-MIAA selections since Roger Allen. A stalwart at guard, the Derby, Kansas native started all 11 games for the Griffons in 2016 and finished his career with 40 starts on the interior of offensive lines that paved the way for two different first team All-MIAA running backs. Missouri Western had a 1,000-yard rusher each of the four seasons Anderson started on the offensive line. He also helped Raphael Spencer finish his career second on the MWSU all-time rushing yardage list.

SECOND TEAM
Max Oeser: The Griffons starting center for all 11 games this season earned his first All-MIAA selection as a junior. It was the second straight season the Springfield, Missouri native started every game for Missouri Western. Earlier this season, Oeser was recognized as a first team CoSIDA Academic All-District selection.

James Huskey: The St. Louis, Missouri native picked up his first All-MIAA honor after missing the 2015 season due to an injury. The junior linebacker finished second in the MIAA in 2016 with 16.5 tackles for loss. Huskey recorded 61 total tackles with 3.5 sacks, two forced fumbles and a fumble recovery.

Donte Watkins: Now a two-time All-MIAA safety, Watkins led Missouri Western and finished sixth in the MIAA with 98 total tackles. Watkins’ 62 solo tackles were fifth most in the MIAA. The Blue Springs, Missouri native was also tied for the team-lead with three interceptions.

THIRD TEAM
Dijuan Ussery: The junior wide receiver from Rock Hill, South Carolina flashed his big play ability in 2016, finishing second in the MIAA with a 24.2-yard per reception average. Ussery’s 797 receiving yards led Missouri Western and were seventh most in the MIAA.

HONORABLE MENTION
Patrick Bolton (WR), , Blake Vandenberg (TE), Hayden Eatinger (OL), Daylon Harper (DL), Cody Lindsay (LB), Darrian Bass (LB), Tyrell Robison (LB)

Of Missouri Western’s 13 All-MIAA selections, 11 were underclassmen in 2016. The only All-MIAA selections from the seven-member class of 2016 were Anderson and Vandenberg.

2016 ALL-MIAA HONORS

MIAA Offensive Player of the Year – Kyle Zimmerman, QB, Northwest Missouri
MIAA Defensive Player of the Year – Sie Doe Jr., DL, Fort Hays State
MIAA Special Teams Player of the Year – Jaylen Zachery, RS, Central Missouri
MIAA Freshmen of the Year – Brenner Clemons, WR, Pittsburg State
MIAA Coach of the Year – Adam Dorrel, Northwest Missouri

First Team (Offense)
QB – Kyle Zimmerman, Northwest Missouri
RB – Josh Caldwell, Missouri Western**
RB – Shaquille Cooper, Fort Hays State^
WR – Jaylen Zachery, Central Missouri
WR – Mitchell Foote, Emporia State**^
WR – Levi Copelin, Pittsburg State
TE/FB – Jordan Grove, Northwest Missouri**^
OL – Chase Sherman, Northwest Missouri**
OL – Travis Anderson, Missouri Western**^
OL – Derrick Puni, Central Missouri
OL – Jarret Statsny, Emporia State
OL – Jamie Theiman, Northwest Missouri
K – Simon Mathiesen, Northwest Missouri^
PR/PR – Jaylen Zachery, Central Missouri**
**=Unanimous selection
^=Repeat First Team Selection

First Team (Defense)
DL – Eddie Vinson, Emporia State
DL – Sie Doe Jr., Fort Hays State
DL – Collin Bevins, Northwest Missouri**^
DL – Cass Weitl, Northwest Missouri
LB – Connor Harris, Lindenwood^
LB – Tyke Kozeal, Nebraska-Kearney
LB – Jacob Vollstedt, Northwest Missouri^
LB – Cody Heiman, Washburn
DB – Tevin Teamer, Central Missouri
DB – Raheme Dumas, Fort Hays State
DB – Kevin Berg, Northwest Missouri^
DB – Deron Washington, Pittsburg State
P – Carter Anchors, Pittsburg State
**=Unanimous selection
^=Repeat First Team Selection

Second Team (Offense)
QB – Garrett Fugate, Central Missouri
RB – Clay McKenzie, Central Oklahoma
RB – Phil Jackson II, Northwest Missouri
WR – Justin Brown, Emporia State
WR – Gary McKnight, Northeastern State
WR – Shawn Bane Jr., Northwest Missouri
TE/FB – Seth Hebert, Central Missouri
OL – Brandon Waggoner, Central Oklahoma
OL – Max Oeser, Missouri Western
OL – Codey Funk, Pittsburg State
OL – Bo Farrow, Pittsburg State
OL – Michael Miller, Washburn
K – Perry Schmiedeler, Washburn
KR/PR – Austin Panko, Pittsburg State

Second Team (Defense)
DL – Josh Powell, Central Missouri
DL – Nathan Shepherd, Fort Hays State
DL – Heath Wilson, Fort Hays State
DL – Akhmad Abdul-Razzaq, Washburn
LB – Kole Schankie, Emporia State
LB – Alex Schmidtberger, Fort Hays State
LB – James Huskey, Missouri Western
LB – Spencer Brown, Pittsburg State
DB – Monteze Latimore, Central Missouri
DB – A.J. West, Emporia State
DB – Donte Watkins, Missouri Western
DB – Anthony Lane, Northwest Missouri
P – Perry Schmiedeler, Washburn

Third Team (Offense)
QB – John Roderique, Pittsburg State
RB – Kenneth Iheme, Fort Hays State
RB – Luke Quinn, Nebraska-Kearney
RB – Cameron Wilcox, Northwest Missouri
WR – Connor Pulley, Central Oklahoma
WR – Dijuan Ussery, Missouri Western
WR – Bryce Chavis, Washburn
TE/FB – Kyle Swartz, Pittsburg State
OL – Chris Gomez, Central Missouri
OL – Sam Noble, Central Oklahoma
OL – Jordan Baldwin, Northeastern State
OL – Mason Dickey, Fort Hays State
OL – Ryan Huff, Northwest Missouri
K – Brandon Brown, Fort Hays State
KR/PR – Kendell Sparks, Lindenwood
Team Reflects Tie in the Voting

Third Team (Defense)
DL – Dalainey Taala, Central Missouri
DL – Deontay Wilson, Central Oklahoma
DL – DeAndre Glover, Emporia State
DL – Jonathan Harris, Lindenwood
LB – Dylan Albertson, Central Missouri
LB – Josh Monteagudo, Emporia State
LB – Kenneth Davis, Northeastern State
LB – Jarrod Bishop, Northwest Missouri
DB – Tre Dickerson, Emporia State
DB – Bakari Triggs, Lindenwood
DB – Edward Richey, Northwest Missouri
DB – Zach Franklin, Washburn
P – Stetson Broce, Missouri Southern

Honorable Mention
QB – T.J. Eckert, Central Oklahoma; Braxton Marstall, Emporia State; Jacob Mezera, Fort Hays State; Dimonic McKinzy, Northeastern State; Derek McGinnis, Washburn.
RB – Gabe Vandiver, Central Missouri; Jake Gandara, Central Oklahoma; Landon Nault, Emporia State; Calen Campbell, Lindenwood; Aaron Daniels, Lindenwood; Michael Rose, Pittsburg State.
WR – Kyle Echols, Central Missouri; Josh Crockett, Central Oklahoma; Layne Bieberle, Fort Hays State; DeSean Warren, Lindenwood; Deantrell Prince, Lindenwood; Scott Lathrop, Missouri Southern; Josiah Bennett, Missouri Southern; Jordan Morrison, Missouri Southern; Patrick Bolton, Missouri Western; Malcolm Moore, Nebraska-Kearney; Blake Holtmeier, Nebraska-Kearney; Austin Panko, Pittsburg State; Dre Washington, Northwest Missouri; George Sehl, Northwest Missouri; Brenner Clemons, Pittsburg State.
TE/FB – Reese Richards, Emporia State; Matthew Wendelberger, Fort Hays State; Blake Vandenberg, Missouri Western; T.J. Schieber, Northwest Missouri.
OL – Layne Fischer, Central Missouri; DeAndre Herron, Emporia State; Estevan Arana, Emporia State; Deshaun Lawson, Lindenwood; Mitche Moore, Missouri Southern; Hayden Eatinger, Missouri Western; Zach Beard, Nebraska-Kearney; Luke Browne, Nebraska-Kearney; Tyler Easter, Northeastern State; Ryan Dodd, Pittsburg State; Bob Marco, Washburn.
DL – Connor Flagel, Central Missouri; Carson Smith, Central Oklahoma; Donovan Walker, emporia State; Daylon Harper, Missouri Western; Tye Spies, Nebraska-Kearney; Caleb Mather, Northwest Missouri; Simanu’a Thomas, Pittsburg State; Trey Parker, Washburn; Spenser Matthews, Washburn.
LB – Jose Delgado, Fort Hays State; Cody Lindsay, Missouri Western; Darrian Bass, Missouri Western; Tyrell Robison, Missouri Western; La’More Wise, Northeastern State; Darian Morris, Northeastern State; Ethan Fugitt, Pittsburg State; Austin Tillman, Washburn.
DB – Diaron Rhodes, Central Missouri; Jackson Newman, Central Missouri; Rashad Dunningan, Fort Hays State; DeAndre James, Fort Hays State; Wesley Thomas, Lindenwood; Chris Goss, Missouri Southern; Ricky Green, Missouri Southern; Antwan Hadley, Nebraska-Kearney; Steffon Herd, Northeastern State; Devon Siers, Northeastern State; Jack Young, Northwest Missouri; Marcus Jones, Northwest Missouri; Corey Ballentine, Washburn.
K – Seth Hiddink, Central Oklahoma; Austin Morton, Emporia State.
P – Christian Fulham, Central Oklahoma; Justin Marcha, Emporia State.— MWSU Athletics —

Mizzou women cruise past Nebraska 55-45 in WNIT Quarterfinals

Posted on November 15, 2016

LINCOLN, Neb. – Mizzou Women’s Basketball earned a dominant 55-35 road victory at Nebraska on Monday night. Mizzou used a 23-2 first-half run to build a lead it would never surrender as the Tigers punched their ticket to Thursday’s Preseason WNIT Semifinals.

Nebraska’s 35 points on Monday matched the fewest the Huskers have scored in a game as an NCAA program, with the last time coming in 1975. Mizzou’s blue-collar defense has allowed just 40.5 points per contest through the first two games of the 2016-17 campaign.

Mizzou’s triumph on Monday at Pinnacle Bank Arena marked the first win for the Tigers at Nebraska since Feb. 17, 2007. Mizzou’s 20-point win was the Tigers’ largest margin of victory over their former Big 12 rivals since 2003.

Senior Sierra Michealis (Mercer, Mo.) and sophomore Sophie Cunningham (Columbia, Mo.) poured in 18 points each to lead Mizzou. Michaelis buried four three-pointers and is now tied for fourth in career treys among active players in the SEC with 121 career trifectas. Cunningham added 10 rebounds to secure her fifth career double-double. She’s now scored in double figures in seven of her last eight games.

Sophomore forward Cierra Porter (Columbia, Mo.) also helped on the glass as Mizzou outrebounded Nebraska, 49-39. Porter corralled 10 rebounds and posted 10 points, tallying double-doubles in back-to-back games for the first time in her career after a 12-rebound, 10-point performance in the season-opening win over Abilene Christian.

Trailing 9-7 less than six minutes into the game, Mizzou caught fire and ended the opening quarter on a 9-0 run, highlighted by three-pointers from redshirt senior Lianna Doty (St. Louis, Mo.) and Michaelis. Mizzou went on to hold Nebraska scoreless for 7:58 of game clock during a convincing run that saw the Tigers grab a 23-9 lead. After another trey and a reverse layup from Michaelis and freshman guard Jordan Chavis’ first career bucket, Mizzou held a 30-13 advantage. The Tigers eventually took a 14-point lead into halftime.

Mizzou’s defense continued to stifle the Huskers in the second half as the Tigers held Nebraska to just four made field goals over the final 20 minutes. Cunningham scored 10 second-half points to help Mizzou maintain its commanding lead down the stretch. Her back-to-back driving layups handed Mizzou a 20-point edge with 3:04 remaining as head coach Robin Pingeton’s squad began the year 2-0 for the sixth consecutive season.

Mizzou now awaits the winner of the Washington-Colorado State quarterfinal game. The Preseason WNIT Semifinals are set for Thursday, Nov. 17, with location and game times yet to be determined by tournament officials.

— Mizzou Athletics —

K-State women defeat Tulsa Monday night 82-62

Posted on November 15, 2016November 15, 2016

MANHATTAN, Kansas – Kansas State women’s basketball used a balanced performance and a strong second quarter to record the program’s 300th win in Bramlage Coliseum with an 82-62 decision over Tulsa on Monday night.

Kansas State (2-0) had five players in double figures led by All-American candidate Breanna Lewis with 18 points, six rebounds and two blocks. Senior guard Kindred Wesemann registered 12 points, two assists and two steals, while freshman forward Eternati Willock chipped in with 11 points and seven rebounds. Also reaching the double figure threshold were junior forward Shaelyn Martin with 10 points, five rebounds and four assists and sophomore guard Kayla Goth with 10 points on 5-of-6 shooting.

Tulsa (1-1) was paced by Erika Wakefield and Ebony Parker with 15 points each.

Kansas State opened the first quarter with a 13-5 lead with 5:14 to play in the quarter. The opening run was highlighted by 4-of-5 shooting from the field including a 3-pointer and a pair of free throws from Kindred Wesemann. Tulsa clawed back into the game with a 10-4 run to close the first frame down two, 17-15.

The Wildcats rebuilt its lead to seven, 28-21, with 7:19 to play in the second quarter. Goth carded a pair of layups and Willock followed with a layup of her own following a baseline dish from Martin.

Tulsa hit three consecutive 3-pointers to pull to within two, 32-30, with 5:29 remaining in the half. K-State responded by ending the half on a 14-3 run to hold a 46-33 halftime lead.

During the run, a pair of newcomers to the roster each contributed five points as junior guard Karyla Middlebrook notched five straight points followed by freshman Peyton Williams scoring five straight. In total, the Wildcats registered 29 points in the second quarter on 65.0 percent shooting (13-of-20).

Kansas State increased its halftime lead to 17, 57-40, with 4:54 remaining in the third quarter. Wesemann tallied her second 3-pointer of the game, followed by a long two-point jumper to increase the lead.

The Golden Hurricane would narrow the game to 16, 61-45, with 2:27 to play in the third stanza. K-State responded with a pair of three-point plays by Martin and Williams to increase the lead to 22, 67-45. A pair of Wakefield jumpers to close the quarter brought the score to 67-49 entering the final frame.

The Wildcats kept Tulsa at arms’ length in the final quarter, cobbling together a 15-13 edge in points.

For the night, Kansas State shot 50.0 percent (34-of-68) from the field and held Tulsa to 41.1 percent shooting (23-of-56). The Wildcats register an enormous edge in the paint, outscoring the Golden Hurricane, 60-12, in the lane. K-State owned the glass with a 41-26 advantage, including 13 offensive boards resulting in 16 second chance points.

Kansas State will end its three-game home stand on Sunday, November 20, as the Wildcats host Lamar at 1 p.m.

— K-State Athletics —

Missouri’s Harris named SEC Defensive Lineman of the Week

Posted on November 14, 2016November 15, 2016

COLUMBIA, Mo. – Mizzou Football standout DE Charles Harris (Kansas City, Mo.) earned SEC Defensive Lineman of the Week following a monster performance in a 26-17 Mizzou win over Vanderbilt last Saturday (Nov. 12). Harris was disruptive in the Commodore backfield throughout the entire game, starting with a sack on the opening series. He finished with a career-high nine tackles, 3.5 tackles for loss, 2.5 sacks, a forced fumble and two QB hurries.

Monday’s honor is the first SEC weekly honor for Harris despite being an All-SEC honoree last year and a preseason honoree this year. Harris has been on an absolute tear over the last two games, posting 17 total tackles (10 solo), 5.5 tackles for loss, 4.5 sacks, a forced fumble and two QB hurries.

Harris’ 2.5 sacks last weekend against Vanderbilt moved his career total to 17.0, tied for eighth on Mizzou’s all-time career list. He now has 8.0 sacks on the season with all of them coming in SEC games, including three games with multiple sacks.

Harris and the Tigers hit the road to Rocky Top this weekend for a 2:30 p.m. kickoff against Tennessee (7-3, 3-3 SEC) at Neyland Stadium.

— Mizzou Athletics —

KU’s Frank Mason earns weekly Big 12 basketball honor

Posted on November 14, 2016November 15, 2016

IRVING, Texas – Kansas senior guard Frank Mason III scored a career-high 30 points against No. 11 Indiana on Friday to earn the season’s first Phillips 66 Big 12 Player of the Week honor in a vote of media who cover the league, the conference announced Monday.

Mason posted his career game on Veterans Day, in the State Farm Armed Forces Classic in Honolulu, a game which KU lost 103-99 in overtime. Mason, from Petersburg, Virginia, scored the Jayhawks’ final 11 points in regulation, including two free throws to send the game to overtime.

Also in the contest, Mason set career highs in free throws (13) and free throw attempts (15). His 30 points marked his fifth career game of scoring 20 or more points and his nine assists against the Hoosiers was the 14th time in his career he has had seven or more assists.

With his 30 points, Mason vaulted to 40th on the KU career scoring list with 1,162 points.

No. 3/2 Kansas (0-1) will face No. 1/1 Duke (2-0) in the State Farm Champions Classic, Tuesday, Nov. 15, at 8 p.m. (Central). The game will be played in historic Madison Square Garden in New York City and televised on ESPN.

— KU Athletics —