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Category: College

Mizzou women upset No. 5 Mississippi State 75-67 in Starkville

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STARKVILLE, Miss. (AP) — Sophie Cunningham scored 24 points, Amber Smith added 16 and Missouri upset No. 5 Mississippi State 75-67 on Thursday night.

The game remained tight until the final minute when Cierra Porter made a 3-pointer with 41 seconds left — her first points of the game — to give Missouri a six-point advantage.

Missouri (19-7, 8-4 Southeastern Conference) trailed for much of the night, but pulled ahead 55-54 on Akira Levy’s layup at the third-quarter buzzer. The Tigers pushed their advantage 60-56 early in the fourth quarter and never trailed again, fending off multiple Mississippi State rallies.

Missouri shot 55 percent from the field and made 11 3-pointers.

Mississippi State (22-2, 10-1) had its 12-game winning streak snapped. The Bulldogs also had won 26 straight regular-season SEC games dating to last season.

Anriel Howard led the Bulldogs with 21 points. Teaira McCowan added 12 points and 13 rebounds.

Mississippi State needed Andra Espinoza-Hunter’s midrange jumper at the buzzer to take a 35-34 halftime lead. Howard led the Bulldogs with 11 points before the break. Cunningham had 13.

2,000 POINTS

Missouri’s Cunningham passed 2,000 points for her career with a 3-pointer during the second quarter. The 6-foot-1 guard has been a consistent scorer throughout her career, scoring 448 points as a freshman, 541 as a sophomore and 574 as a junior. She already has 452 points this season.

BIG PICTURE

Missouri: It’s a huge win for the Tigers, who had lost their previous four road games. Cunningham was excellent as usual and she got a lot of help from her teammates. The Tigers now have a 2-7 record against Mississippi State.

Mississippi State: The Bulldogs had a tough night on both ends of the floor, but especially on defense. The Tigers got a lot of open looks from 3-point range and made a bunch of them. Mississippi State has another tough game on Sunday against Texas A&M.

UP NEXT

Missouri: Hosts Tennessee on Sunday.

Mississippi State: At No. 22 Texas A&M on Sunday.

— Associated Press —

Northwest baseball splits a pair of games on day two of MIAA/GLVC Crossover

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JOPLIN, Missouri – The Northwest Missouri State University baseball team split a pair of games on day two of the MIAA/GLVC Crossover.

Northwest tallied an 8-2 triumph over Rockhurst before falling to Missouri Southern in the nightcap, 12-5.

Game One vs. Rockhurst
The first three innings at Warren Turner Field were quiet as neither team could get the on the scoreboard.

This was until the Bearcats struck first in the top of the fourth inning, prompted by a lead off hit to center by senior catcher Alixon Herrera. Herrera advanced to second base after junior first baseman Connor Quick drew a walk. Herrera and Quick moved to second and third on a sacrifice bunt by sophomore infielder Peter Carlson. Northwest got the opening run on the scoreboard after Herrera scored from third on a sacrifice fly to right from junior infielder Calvin Rudolph. Quick also advanced to third on the play. The second run of the inning came when Rockhurst pitcher Jack Eisenbarger committed an error, allowing Quick to score.

Keeping the Hawks scoreless in the bottom of the fourth, Northwest added another run in the fifth inning, thanks to an RBI double by senior catcher Jay Hrdlicka that plated senior infielder Mondesi Gutierrez.

Rockhurst tallied two runs in the bottom of the fifth to trim the Northwest lead to 3-2.

The Bearcat pitching duo of junior Joe Funkhouser and freshman Gibson Brown kept the Hawks in check. Funkhouser drew the start and went six innings allowing four hits and two runs while striking out nine. Gibson came on in the seventh and earend his first collegiate save. Gibson tossed three innings of one-hit relief.

Northwest’s offense provided some much needed cushion in the top of the ninth as the Bearcats put a five-spot on the board to increase the lead to 8-2. Hrdlicka added his second RBI double of the game, while junior Connor Quick provided an RBI single. Ryan Koski drew a bases loaded walk for the third run of the inning. Gutierrez ripped a two-RBI single to center to close out the scoring.

Northwest improved to 4-5 on the season heading into the matchup with Missouri Southern.

NOTES: Funkhouser got his first win of the season (1-1) … Hrdlicka and Hussey had team-high three hits – Hussey’s fifth multi-hit game of the season.

Game Two vs. Missouri Southern
Northwest jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the top of the first inning following a leadoff double from Gutierrez to open the contest. Hussey walked to give Northwest runners on first and second. Hrdlicka grounded out to first base, moving the base runners to second and third. Alixon Herrera drove in Gutierrez and Hussey with a double to right center.

Missouri Southern evened the matchup at 2-2 in the bottom of the third.

Quick homered to right field to open up the top of the fourth to give Northwest a one run lead at 3-2. Logan Rycraft served up two-out RBI single to left field that scored Rudolph. Rycraft would complete his journey around the base paths on another two-out RBI single from Gutierrez.

After posting five runs in the first four innings against the Lions, the Bearcat offense would go dormant and the home squad tallied 10 unanswered runs to take it 12-5. Northwest had six hits in the opening four innings and was limited two three hits in the final five innings of action.

Missouri Southern went on to score two in the fourth, took the lead with two more in the fifth and added a six-run sixth to give the Lions a seven-run lead.

Six pitchers made an appearance for the Bearcats during the outing. Sophomore Max Spitzmiller got the start on the mound, going 4 2/3 innings while giving up six runs on six hits and recording five strikeouts.

Northwest fell to 4-6 on the season, while Missouri Southern improves to 7-3.

NOTES: Herrera is riding a seven-game hitting streak…Gutierrez, Hussey, Hrdlicka and Quick extended their on-base streaks to ten games…Quick-18, Hussey-17, Hrdlicka-16, Herrera-14 and Gutierrez-13 are all ranked in the top-10 in the MIAA in hits.

— Northwest Athletics —

University of Missouri files Notice of Appeal with NCAA

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Columbia, Mo. – The University of Missouri has filed its Notice of Appeal with the NCAA Division I Infractions Appeals Committee, Mizzou Director of Athletics Jim Sterk announced. The appeal was filed late Thursday afternoon.

“We believe that the Committee on Infractions abused its discretion in applying penalties to the University of Missouri Athletics program, and we look forward to appearing before the Appeals Committee in the future to present our case,” Sterk said. “Mizzou’s case involved an isolated incident within our program, however, the penalties applied are overly harsh, not in line with established precedent and negatively impact student-athletes who chose to attend the University of Missouri and had nothing to do with the actions of one rogue individual.

“It appears that our cooperation throughout this process went largely unnoticed, which I believe will have a chilling effect and force other institutions to take a different approach in dealing with these type issues, which will not be in the best interest of the NCAA or intercollegiate athletics,” he added.

The University’s appeal team will be headed by Bond, Schoeneck & King’s Mike Glazier, who has worked side-by-side with Mizzou on this case since the fall of 2016. Mizzou will also be working with other legal advisors throughout the appeals process

The NCAA Infractions Appeals Committee will acknowledge receipt of Mizzou’s Appeal Notice in a timely manner, and the University will then have 30 days to file its written appeal. The entire process is expected to take a minimum of six months to complete.

— Mizzou Athletics —

Griffons’ rally comes up short in home loss to Southwest Baptist

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ST. JOSEPH – After falling behind by as many as 21 points in the second half, Missouri Western (11-14, 5-9 MIAA) came back to trail by just one possession with three minutes remaining. Southwest Baptist (12-11, 6-8 MIAA) managed to hold on late, allowing just two made field goals in the final three minutes to win by a score of 79-71.

NOTABLES

  • The Griffons shot well out of the opening tip, making seven of their first 11 shots to take a 17-15 lead eight minutes into the game.
  • Southwest Baptist’s three-pointer on the next possession sparked a 28-6 run to go ahead by 20 in the first half.
  • Tyus Millhollin swung it out to Lavon Hightower for a buzzer-beating three to trim the Bearcat lead to 43-29 at the halftime break.
  • Bryan Hudson led the Griffons with 11 first half points.
  • Southwest Baptist built its first-half lead from beyond the arc with seven triples before halftime.
  • The Bearcats stretched their lead to a game-high 21 points five minutes into the second half.
  • The Griffons then used a 21-7 run to slowly chip away at the Southwest Baptist lead.
  • Hightower’s driving layup finally brought Missouri Western within one possession at 66-63 with 3:22 remaining.
  • Southwest Baptist would then halt the Griffons’ momentum with a corner three-pointer.
  • With the Griffons down four with one minute remaining, Southwest Baptist’s Maris Colton put the Bearcats up six to put Missouri Western away.
  • The Griffons’ aggression paid off offensively in the second half, scoring 30 of their 42 second-half points in the paint.

LEADERS

  • Hudson led all players with 24 points on an efficient 65 percent shooting. Hudson’s 24 points give him his second-highest mark this season.
  • Tyrell Caroll finished with 18 points.
  • Hightower scored 12 of his 17 points in the second half and also led the team with eight rebounds.

UP NEXT

  • Missouri Western Men’s Basketball will face Central Missouri (12-11, 5-9 MIAA) for the first time this season on Saturday.
  • The Mules fell to top-ranked Northwest Missouri by 17 points on Wednesday night.

— MWSU Athletics —

No. 1 Bearcats overcome halftime deficit to defeat Central Missouri

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MARYVILLE, Missouri – The No. 1-ranked Northwest Missouri State University men’s basketball team overcame a halftime deficit for only the second time this season and scored a 67-50 win over the visiting University of Central Missouri Mules in Bearcat Arena.

The Bearcats improved to 24-0 and matched the second-best start to a season in program history. Only the 1929-30 Bearcat squad under the direction of then first-year head coach Henry Iba got off to a better start with a perfect 31-0 season. Central Missouri fell to 12-11 overall and 5-9 in MIAA. Northwest has won eight straight games in the series vs. UCM.

Senior Joey Witthus paced the Bearcat offense with 19 points and junior Ryan Welty did damage from deep as he drained five three-pointers in seven attempts to score 15 points.

The Mules led by as many as eight points in the first half when the built a 28-20 lead with 2:19 left on the clock. However, Northwest then used an 18-0 run over the final two minutes of the first half and the opening five minutes of the second half to overtake the visitors and take a 38-30 lead. The Mules closed back to within five points at 44-39 with 9:45 remaining in the game, but another 7-0 spurt by the Bearcats turned it back into a double-digit affair.

The Bearcats will be back in action Saturday against Southwest Baptist. Stay tuned to www.BearcatSports.com for the latest game time information for Saturday’s contest because of impending inclement weather. Northwest is scheduled to play Southwest Baptist in a women’s/men’s doubleheader beginning at 1:30 p.m. in Bearcat Arena.

NOTES: Trevor Hudgins was 2-of-2 at the line to extend his consecutive free throws made streak to 33 in a row … Ryan Hawkins ripped down a game-high 12 rebounds and tallied four steals … Northwest extended the nation’s longest active winning streak to 14 in a row … Northwest is 86-5 over the past three seasons … the Bearcats are a perfect 12-0 at home this season and the 12-game home win streak is the fifth-longest active streak in the nation … the Bearcats have won 19 consecutive MIAA contests … in fact, Northwest has won 76 of its last 83 MIAA games, including 40 of its last 41 league games in Bearcat Arena … Northwest was held to a season-low 67 points – its previous low this year was 72 in its season-opening 72-70 overtime victory over Northern State on Nov. 3 … Northwest has won its last 15 games by double figures.

— Northwest Athletics —

Missouri Western women use big second half to roll past Southwest Baptist

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ST. JOSEPH – The Missouri Western women’s basketball team rallied from a seven-point halftime deficit to defeat Southwest Baptist Wednesday night 78-64 inside the MWSU Fieldhouse.  The Griffons outscored SBU in the second half 50-29 as they improve to 12-11 and 7-7 in the MIAA.  The Bearcats fall to 6-17 and 2-12 in league play.

NOTABLES

  • The Griffons went to halftime down by seven after being outscored 20-9 in the second quarter
  • MWSU responded with a 26-15 third quarter and a 24-14 fourth quarter to climb ahead and put the Bearcats away
  • The 78 points scored were the most for the Griffs since dropping 93 on Saint Mary in November
  • Missouri Western shot 60 percent in the third quarter, 56 percent in the fourth and 48 percent for the game
  • After SBU went 3-for-8 from three in the first half, the Griffon defense limited the Bearcats to 1-of-5 shooting from beyond the arc in the second half
  • The Griffons were 50 percent (7-14) from three-point range in the game and 83 percent (15-18) from the free throw line
  • With the win, Missouri Western took over sole possession of seventh place in the MIAA standings

LEADERS

  • Katrina Roenfeldt had a game-high 23 points and 10 rebounds
  • Anastacia Johnson posted career highs for points (16) and steals (7)
  • Jessica Davies scored 17 points, 13 in the second half

UP NEXT

  • Senior Day and the home finale for the Griffons
  • No. 24 Central Missouri visits the MWSU Fieldhouse Feb. 16 at 2 p.m.
  • The Jennies won 78-67 at Northwest Missouri Wednesday night.

— MWSU Athletics —

Northwest women lose to No. 24 Central Missouri 78-67

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The Northwest Missouri State women’s basketball team dropped a close game Wednesday night to Central Missouri 78-67 at Bearcat Arena.

Northwest fell behind 17-2, then clawed their way back to be down 33-29 at the half. Kylie Coleman hit a three pointer to bring the game within three at 62-59 with 7:44 left in the game, Central then went on a 9-0 run and never looked back.

Kendey Eaton scored a career high 37 points, which is tied for third in Northwest history for points in a game. Mallory McConkey added 10. The Bearcats shot 50% from the floor and 37.5% from the three-point line. The Bearcats won the turnover margin 12-11.

The Jennies had all five starters score in double figures led by Morgan Fleming with 20 points, Fleming also led the team in rebounds with 9. Central outrebounded Northwest 35-22. They had 13 offensive rebounds.

Northwest plays again on Saturday against Southwest Baptist at 1:30 p.m. in Bearcat Arena.

— Northwest Athletics —

Palmer’s last-second FTs lift Huskers over Gophers 62-61

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LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — James Palmer made two free throws with 1.1 seconds left to give Nebraska a 62-61 win over Minnesota on Wednesday night, ending the Cornhuskers’ seven-game losing streak.

Minnesota’s Dupree McBrayer had picked up a loose ball under the basket moments earlier, but he stepped out of bounds, giving Nebraska possession with 2.7 seconds left. Glynn Watson Jr. inbounded to Palmer, who was fouled by Amir Coffey as he went up to shoot.

Palmer went to the line and hit the first free throw, and after a timeout he swished the second to send the Pinnacle Bank Arena crowd into a frenzy.

Gophers coach Rick Pitino started to follow an official off the court, but the official waved him off and Pitino turned around.

Palmer finished with 24 points for the Huskers (14-11, 4-10 Big Ten). Watson broke out of the worst slump of his career, scoring 19 points.

Jordan Murphy had 19 points, Daniel Oturu added 16 and Coffey had 11 for the Gophers (17-8, 6-9), who have lost four straight.

The Gophers led 61-60 and had the ball in the final minute, but Murphy, who scored eight of his team’s last 10 points, was called for a charge into Roby with 20.9 seconds left.

Thomas Allen had his shot blocked by Oturu with time running down, and McBrayer grabbed the ball but turned it over when his foot touched the baseline.

That set up the winning sequence for Nebraska, which hadn’t won since Jan. 14.

BIG PICTURE

Minnesota: The Gophers’ longest losing streak of the season continues, and they’ve lost six in a row in Lincoln. They also lost for the seventh time in eight road games.

Nebraska: Palmer’s free throws won the game, but the resurgence of Watson is what helped put the Huskers in position to win. In the previous four games, Watson was 6 of 37 from the floor and 1 of 18 on 3-pointers with a total of 15 points.

UP NEXT

Minnesota hosts Indiana on Saturday.

Nebraska hosts Northwestern on Saturday.

— Associated Press —

Da Silva leads Missouri State over Evansville 68-56

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EVANSVILLE, Ind. (AP) — Tulio Da Silva scored 17 points as Missouri State topped Evansville 68-56 on Wednesday night. Ryan Kreklow and Jarred Dixon added 15 points each for the Bears.

Marty Hill had 15 points for the Purple Aces (10-16, 4-9 Missouri Valley Conference). K.J. Riley added 10 points.

The Bears evened the season series against the Purple Aces with the win. Evansville defeated Missouri State 70-64 on Jan. 16. Missouri State (14-12, 8-5) takes on Loyola of Chicago on the road on Sunday. Evansville plays Northern Iowa at home on Sunday.

— Associated Press —

Tilmon helps Missouri hold off Arkansas 79-78

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COLUMBIA, Mo. (AP) — Missouri locked down on the final defensive possession and squeaked by Arkansas 79-78 Tuesday night.

The Tigers were up three points with 17 seconds remaining when Arkansas’ Daniel Gafford threw down an alley-oop dunk from Jalen Harris. On the ensuing inbound play, Missouri’s Xavier Pinson committed a push-off foul to give Arkansas the ball back and a chance to win.

Missouri’s Jeremiah Tilmon didn’t allow Harris to get a quality shot off, and the ball was tipped back to him as time expired.

Tilmon led Missouri (12-11, 3-8 Southeastern Conference) with 21 points. Senior Jordan Geist contributed 18 points as the Tigers avoided falling below .500 for the first time since Cuonzo Martin took over as head coach at the beginning of last season.

The Tigers erupted for 46 points in the first half, eclipsing their previous season high of 45 against Morehead State on Dec. 29.

Gafford led Arkansas (14-10, 5-6) with 26 points on 12-of-17 shooting. He scored the Razorbacks’ first 10 points of the game.

Arkansas shot 47 percent from the field. The Tigers won the turnover battle 12-11 and outrebounded Arkansas 39-33.

BIG PICTURE

Arkansas: The Razorbacks had a chance to win, but instead it turns into a loss that will hurt their NCAA Tournament chances.

Missouri: The Tigers have struggled to maintain leads recently, so holding off Arkansas’ comeback attempt was a step in the right direction. Missouri is still off the radar in terms of NCAA Tournament hopes.

UP NEXT

Arkansas returns home to face Mississippi State on Saturday.

Missouri hits the road to take on Mississippi on Saturday.

— Associated Press —

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