We have a brand new updated website! Click here to check it out!

Category: College

Jayhawks upset by San Diego State to end 68-game non-con win streak

Posted on

KULAWRENCE, Kan. (AP) — It was so loud inside Allen Fieldhouse that San Diego State’s players could barely hear what coach Steve Fisher was saying, yet they knew what the message would be as the timeout ended.

No matter the situation, it’s always the same.

”He just tells you to think something positive, whether it’s basketball, family, whatever. Think something positive,” Xavier Thames said. ”I think that really helps.”

It sure seemed to settle down the Aztecs.

Thames scored 16 points, and calmly made four straight free throws in the closing seconds Sunday, helping No. 21 San Diego State knock off No. 16 Kansas 61-57, ending the Jayhawks’ 68-game non-conference winning streak at their venerable on-campus arena.

Skylar Spencer added 13 points and Josh Davis had 10 for the Aztecs (12-1), who have won 11 straight since losing to No. 1 Arizona on Nov. 14. That streak is tied for the second-best in school history, trailing only the 20-0 start of the 2010-11 team.

”Our coach never gets rattled,” San Diego State forward Winston Shepard said. ”He’s always even keeled, whether we’re up 20 or it’s a close game in here. After every timeout, he tell us to take a good thought out there.”

Think happy thoughts? Why didn’t those other 68 teams try that at the Phog?

Kansas (9-4) still had a chance to tie the game when Perry Ellis went to the free throw line with 11.9 seconds left. He made his first free throw but, after San Diego State called a timeout to ice him, Ellis missed the second and the Jayhawks were forced to foul.

Thames made both free throws to give San Diego State a three-point lead, and the Aztecs fouled rather than allow Kansas to attempt a tying 3. Frank Mason missed the first and made the second, and Thames made two more free throws with 4.6 seconds left to seal the win.

”This is a great win for us,” Thames said. ”A lot of teams don’t come in here and get victories. I’m just blessed to be a part of this one.”

Andrew Wiggins and Mason scored 14 points apiece for the Jayhawks, who had won 112 of their last 114 games at Allen Fieldhouse. Joel Embiid finished with 12 points and 12 rebounds.

The Jayhawks struggled against the long, lanky Aztecs right from the start, missing eight of their first nine shots and allowing San Diego State to dictate the tempo.

After a 3-pointer by Naadir Tharpe gave Kansas a 9-8 lead, the Jayhawks had just one more field goal over the next 8-plus minutes. Thames and Davis had no such trouble for San Diego State, hitting a series of jumpers and contested layups as the Aztecs built a 29-23 halftime lead.

Kansas wound up shooting 20.7 percent (6 of 29) in the first half.

”I think everybody, we all missed shots we usually make,” Wiggins said, ”and that’s going to happen from time to time with a young team.”

The Aztecs kept up the intensity in the second half, forcing the Jayhawks to misfire on eight of their first 10 shots with their in-your-face, man-to-man defense. The lead slowly grew to 44-33 when JJ O’Brien converted after two misses, once more silencing a packed house.

The Jayhawks finally started to build some momentum midway through the second half, closing within 58-56 on a basket by Wiggins and 50-48 on Tharpe’s scooping layup.

It seemed as if every time Kansas went on a run, though, the Aztecs had an answer.

Spencer scored after Tharpe’s basket, and Thames curled in a 3-pointer to give San Diego State a 55-48 lead with 3 minutes to play. Kansas made one more salvo, getting within 57-55 on a 3-pointer by Mason and seemingly getting the ball back after O’Brien missed a free throw.

During a stoppage in play, the officials determined that the ball went off Kansas with 44.8 seconds left. And even though the Jayhawks got a stop, it cost them precious time.

Kansas coach Bill Self called a timeout with 20 seconds left and decided to go with Ellis, the sure-handed sophomore. He drove to the basket and was fouled, but the 72 percent free throw shooter could only make the first of his two attempts, and San Diego State eventually held on to win.

”Every play we made, it seemed like they came down, they got something positive out of the next possession,” Mason said. ”Whether it was free throws or a made basket, we just couldn’t get the stops we needed.”

— Associated Press —

Griffons come up short at home against Washburn

Posted on

MWSUThe Missouri Western men’s basketball team struggled from the free throw line making just 15-of-26 attempts falling for the third straight game by a score of 79-69 against the Washburn Ichabods. The Griffons had three players score in double figures with Ryan Devers finishing with a career best 25 points on 7-of-12 shooting. He also made 11-of-13 free throws. The Griffons fall to 6-6 on the season and 1-3 with the loss.

The first ten minutes of the first half was an offensive struggle as the Griffons and the Ichabods played to an 11-11 with 9:06 to play in the first frame. From there the Ichabods would go on a 5-0 run which was capped by a Chris Davis three giving Washburn a 16-11 lead with 6:55 to play.

The Griffons continued battling cutting the score to 19-16 after a Cortrez Colbert three with 4:16 to play in the half. Unfortuntaly the rest of the half belonged to the Ichabods outscoring the Griffons 10-6 taking a seven point lead into the locker room at 29-22.

The Ichabods outscored the Griffons 18-10 in the paint and 13-6 in bench points. Kyle Wiggins had six points in the half while Jeff Reid had 10 of the Ichabods 23 rebounds.

The Griffons had five players scored in the half with Ryan Devers leading the way with six points and two assists. The Griffons had just 12 rebounds to the Ichabods 23.

The Griffons opened up the second half going on 11-5 run claiming a 35-34 lead after an Adarius Fulton three with 17:13 to play in the game. That marked their first lead since they led 11-9 with 9:27 to play in the first half. The Ichabods followed that up with a 7-0 run taking a 41-35 lead. The Griffons cut the lead to four a few times down the stretch but missed free throws hurt Missouri Western. On the other hand Washburn made 9-of-10 free throws in the final minute improving to 11-1 overall and 4-1 in MIAA play.

The Griffons made 46.2-percent (24-52) from the field and had nine assists with Devers collecting four. The Ichabods made 17-of-21 free throws and shot 49.1-percent (27-55) from the field. Leon Flowers led the way with 26 points on 9-of-12 shooting and making 5-of-6 three point shots.

The Griffons return to action on Monday, January 6 when they take on the Nebraska-Kearney Lopers at 7:30 pm in the MWSU Fieldhouse.

— MWSU Sports Information —

Bearcats let second half lead slip away against Central Oklahoma

Posted on

Northwest2013riggertThe Northwest Missouri State men’s basketball team fell to Central Oklahoma, 81-77, on Saturday afternoon at Bearcat Arena. UCO improved to 9-3 overall and 3-2 in MIAA play with the win while Northwest falls to 8-5 overall and 3-1 in conference action.

The Bearcats were lead by DeShaun Cooper who hit five three pointers and finished the evening with 20 points, six rebounds, four assists and two steals. Bryston Williams added four makes from beyond the arc, finishing with 18 points, four rebounds, two assists and two steals. Inside, Dillon Starzl had 15 points, going 4-for-5 from the field with six rebounds.

Northwest fell behind early in the first half but responded to take a 45-40 halftime lead. UCO began the game by scoring 21 of the first 28 points. Northwest slowly chipped away at the lead and took the first lead of the game with two minutes left in the first half on a Cooper three pointer, 39-37.

In the second half, the Bearcats would lead by as many as eight, 52-44, on another Cooper three with 17:31 remaining. But the Bronchos would go on a 28-10 run over the next 10 minutes to take the lead for good. UCO’s Josh Gibbs had 30 points and 14 rebounds, both game highs.

The Bearcats will host Northeastern State on Monday, Jan. 6, at 7:30 p.m. at Bearcat Arena.

— Northwest Sports Information —

No. 25 Missouri holds off Long Beach State, 69-59

Posted on

MUCOLUMBIA, Mo. (AP) — Jabari Brown scored 22 points to lead No. 25 Missouri to a 69-59 victory over pesky Long Beach State on Saturday.

Earnest Ross added 16 points and Ryan Rosburg had 11 rebounds for the Tigers (12-1), who open Southeastern Conference play at home against Georgia on Wednesday. Jordan Clarkson, who leads the SEC with a 20-point average, had a season-low 11 points.

Missouri has won 26 in a row at home, the longest current streak in the nation. It also has an 81-game winning streak against non-conference opponents since losing to Sam Houston State to start the 2005-06 season. Long Beach State (4-10) cut the deficit to two points with just under six minutes remaining but Missouri outscored the 49ers 12-4 the rest of the way.

Tyler Lamb had 17 points on 4-for-13 shooting for Long Beach State.

Dan Jennings, Long Beach State’s leading rebounder, missed the last 16 minutes after a collision under the basket. Long Beach State had won three in a row since Lamb, a UCLA transfer, became eligible.

The Mizzou Arena was about half-filled, with attendance announced at 8,679 a day after the ninth-ranked football team beat Oklahoma State in the Cotton Bowl. The entertainment was a skeleton crew of five cheerleaders, an alumni band and no Golden Girls.

Wes Clark’s 3-pointer gave Missouri its largest lead at 51-38 with 13:32 to play. Long Beach answered with a 10-2 run, five of the points from Lamb. Four straight points by Gulley cut the deficit to 57-55 with just over six minutes to go.

Missouri shot 58 percent in the first half and rallied from eight points down to take a 37-34 lead. Long Beach had an 18-13 rebounding advantage, plus the Tigers hurt themselves by missing six of their first 11 free throws.

— Associated Press —

Western women lose sixth straight as they fall to Washburn

Posted on

MWSUThe Missouri Western women’s basketball team played hard but were unable to get their first MIAA victory of the season falling to the Washburn Ichabods 67-49 in the first game of 2014. The Griffons have lost six straight and sit at 4-6 overall and 0-4 in MIAA play.

After a slow start the Griffon women were able to outscore the Ichabods 22-17 in the final 13:05 of the first half going into the locker room down 30-24. The Griffon bench scored 21 points with Tiffanie Abrams leading the way wth eight points making two long range shots.

The Griffons were outscored 18-6 in the paint but scored six points off five offensive rebounds. Lanicia Lawrence had four rebounds in the frame. Missouri Western struggled shooting the ball making just 29.6-percent (8-27) of their field goals and 3-of-12 from long range. The Griffons did make 5-of-6 free throw with Abrams and Friday Chuol going 2-for-2.

The Ichabods made 45.8-percent (11-24) of their field goals with Taylor Ignoto leading the way with 10 points on 3-of-6 shooting. Honor Duvall had nine points making 4-of-6 shots.

In the second half the Griffons cut the Ichabod lead to 41-35 after a Tiara Hall layup with 12:45 to play in the game. The rest of the half was a struggle for the Griffons scoring just 14 points to the Ichabods 26. Washburn improves to 7-4 overall and 3-2 in MIAA play.

The Griffons shot 29.8-percent (14-47) from the field and 22.2-percent (4-18) from long range. The Griffons did shot free throws pretty well making 17-of-26. Abrams finished with 11 points while Jalissa Lewis dumped in seven and had eight rebounds.

The Ichabods shot 43.8-percent (21-48) from the field and made 21-of-30 free throws. Three Ichabods scored in double figures with Ignoto leading the way with 15. duvall and Janelle Travis had 13 and 10 respectively.

The Griffons return to action on Monday, January 6th with a home game against the University of Nebraska-Kearney Lopers. Game time is set for 5:30 pm in the MWSU Fieldhouse.

— MWSU Sports Information —

Northwest women take down UCO for first MIAA victory

Posted on

Northwest2013riggertNorthwest Missouri State women’s basketball junior Annie Mathews recorded a double-double with 12 rebounds and 11 points to lead the Bearcats to a 78-72 victory over Central Oklahoma on Saturday afternoon at Bearcat Arena. The win moves Northwest to 4-7 overall and 1-3 in MIAA play. Central Oklahoma drops to 7-5 overall and 2-3 in conference action.

Mathews was one of five Bearcats to reach double-figures in a balanced offensive attack. Monique Stevens added 15, Tember Schechinger had 14, Ariel Easton had 12 and Ashleigh Nelson had 11. Stevens helped fuel the attack with a game-best eight assists.

Central Oklahoma was paced by Jill Bryan, who had a game-high 28 points in 33 minutes of action. She also had four steals. UCO was unable to get on track from beyond the arc, going just 4-for-28 from deep. Northwest’s defense held UCO to 38.1 percent shooing. Conversely, Northwest hit 28-of-47 shots to shoot 59.6 percent for the game.

The Bearcats will host Northeastern State on Monday, Jan. 6, at 5:30 p.m. at Bearcat Arena.

— Northwest Sports Information —

Foster helps Kansas State upset No. 6 Oklahoma State

Posted on

KSUMANHATTAN, Kan. (AP) — Thomas Gipson likened the game to a ”bar fight,” the sort of description that is certain to make the senior-level folks in the Kansas State athletic department shake their head in exasperation.

Of course, Wildcats coach Bruce Weber used the exact same term to describe a 74-71 victory over No. 6 Oklahoma State on Saturday – the kind of rough-and-tumble affair both teams were expecting as they opened Big 12 play harboring championship aspirations.

”What else can you say?” Weber said. ”They’re a potential Final Four team. I don’t think there’s any doubt. And we were able to compete with them and find a way to win.”

Marcus Foster had 17 points for the Wildcats (11-3), and Nino Williams scored 15, none bigger than the two free throws he made with 5.7 seconds left to give Kansas State a three-point lead.

The Cowboys’ Marcus Smart raced up court and threw up a running 3-point try as the final buzzer sounded, but it clanked harmlessly off the rim. By the time it fell to the court, Kansas State was well into celebrating its ninth consecutive victory.

”We felt like that was one of the toughest games we’ve played so far,” said Gipson, who added 10 points and 11 rebounds. ”For us to be young and come out and get a huge win against the No. 6 team in the nation, that feels real good.”

Le’Bryan Nash scored 20 points, Markel Brown finished with 16 and Smart added 15 for the Cowboys (12-2, 0-1), who were plagued by foul trouble after already missing two of their key players.

Michael Cobbins, their best big man, sustained a season-ending Achilles injury on Monday, and freshman guard Stevie Clark – their second-leading scorer off the bench – did not play after he was arrested on suspicion of marijuana possession on Wednesday.

”This was going to be an adjustment game,” Cowboys coach Travis Ford said. ”It’s been a tough week. We lost a major part of our team. We have to adjust.”

The Wildcats, who’ve made a habit of pummeling opponents during their win streak, tried to wear down the short-handed Cowboys in the first half. They pawed and pressed and got physical with Smart and Nash as much as possible, and both of them were clearly frustrated.

Both of them also picked up two fouls late in the first half.

Kansas State was unable to take advantage of the brief stretch in which both sat on the bench, though. Foster scored in the waning seconds of the half to put the Wildcats in front, but the Cowboys raced up court and Brown managed to curl in a layup at the buzzer for a 38-37 lead.

The senior dished a bit of attitude at the Kansas State student section as he left the floor.

Oklahoma State tried to extend the lead early in the second half, and Smart’s dunk and foul with about 13 1/2 minutes left provided a cushion. But Smart decided to do a chin-up on the rim and slap the backboard after his slam, and he was hit with a technical – his fourth foul of the game.

While he took a seat, the Wildcats started to gather momentum.

Shane Southwell hit a 3 from in front of his own bench to knot the game 52-all with just over 9 minutes left, his first points of the game. A few minutes later, Nash picked up his fourth foul, and Cowboys coach Travis Ford put Smart back in the game.

”It’s always hard to sit for that long and come in and try to get into a rhythm,” Smart said.

The Wildcats went right at him, and Smart wisely backed down on a couple of occasions to avoid picking up his fifth foul. That allowed the Wildcats to surge ahead, taking a 65-60 lead when Foster slashed through the lane and curled in a layup with 3 1/2 minutes remaining.

That matched the biggest lead of the game, and the gritty Wildcats managed to hit just enough free throws – and make just enough stops – to hold on at the end.

”They just outplayed us,” Nash said. ”They played hard every time. They don’t care what the situation is, they just play. That’s what we need to do. We played tentative and we need to play hard every game. That’s what I’m going to do from now on. Play 100 percent and give 100 percent to this team because that’s what they need.”

— Associated Press —

Tigers rally past Oklahoma State to win Cotton Bowl

Posted on

MUARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — Henry Josey ran for 92 yards and three touchdowns, the last a 16-yarder with 3:08 left, and No. 9 Missouri beat No. 13 Oklahoma State 41-31 in the Cotton Bowl on Friday night.

The former Big 12 and Big Eight rivals traded points on six consecutive possessions in the fourth quarter, until Oklahoma State quarterback Clint Chelf was sacked and fumbled with a minute left. Defensive lineman Shane Ray picked up the ball and rumbled 76 yards down the sideline in front of the stunned Cowboys bench to score.

SEC East champion Missouri (12-2) matched its school record for victories, giving the SEC its 10th win in the last 11 Cotton Bowls — all against the Big 12.

Josey’s go-ahead TD came a play after James Franklin’s 27-yard pass to Dorial Green-Beckham on third-and-9. Franklin, the Missouri quarterback plagued by injuries the last two seasons, had two fumbles earlier in the second half when Oklahoma State (10-3) overcame a 10-point deficit to tie it in just over 3 1/2 minutes.

Ray had been dragged into the end zone by Desmond Roland when the Oklahoma State running back bulled through the line for a 2-yard TD run with 5 minutes left to give the Cowboys their only lead of the night. Ray hit Roland immediately at the line, but couldn’t keep him from scoring.

Franklin was only 15 of 40 passing for 174 yards with an interception in the first half.

Chelf threw for 381 yards and two touchdowns with two interceptions, completing 33 of 57 passes. He also ran 10 times for 48 yards, including a 23-yard run on third-and-10 only a few plays before All-SEC defensive end Michael Sam sacked Chelf and knocked the ball loose.

That gave Sam 11 1/2 sacks, the most in the SEC and matching a school record.

— Associated Press —

Mizzou women open SEC schedule with road win at Ole Miss

Posted on

riggertMizzouOxford, Miss. -Missouri Women’s Basketball earned its first SEC victory of the season with Thursday’s 85-76 win at Ole Miss. The Tigers improve to 12-2 overall and 1-0 SEC on the season. Four Tigers finished in double figures including two 20+ point performances from both Morgan Stock and Bri Kulas. Both Stock and Morgan Eye finished with five treys on the night, helping the Tigers to a season best 62.5 three-point shooting percentage on the night.

After a quick Rebel lead, the Tigers battled through the first half to remain in control of the game. Mizzou held on to the lead and headed into the halftime break with a 34-30 advantage. The Tiger defense held the Rebels to just 26.3-percent shooting in the first half. The Tiger scoring was spread around, as is the norm for the unselfish team. Mizzou assisted on 7 of 10 first half field goals, and five Tigers found the basket in the half. The Tigers went 7-of-9 from distance in the first half, and Eye’s 14 first-half points led the Tigers. Kulas finished the half with eight points and four rebounds total.

The Rebels came out strong after the break, and the two teams traded baskets for the lead throughout the first few minutes of play. Tied up at 44 with just over 16 minutes to play, Mizzou knocked down two treys in a row to take back the lead. Mizzou made eight threes in the second half, continuing its first-half success. The Tigers battled throughout the half, also taking advantage of opportunities from the charity stripe. Mizzou made 7-of-8 from the line in both halves, finishing over their team goal at 87.5-percent on the night.

The Tigers return to Columbia, Mo. on Sunday to host Arkansas in the SEC home opener at 2 p.m.

— MU Sports Information —

Missouri State defeats Illinois State in OT, 78-70

Posted on

riggertMissouriStateSPRINGFIELD, Mo. — Jarmar Gulley scored 22 points and Missouri State outscored Illinois State 12-4 in overtime to complete its comeback victory 78-70 on Thursday.

Reggie Lynch made the second basket of overtime but Illinois State only added two Daishon Knight free throws the rest of the way. Knight led Illinois State (7-6, 0-1 Missouri Valley) with 15.

Missouri State trailed 61-54 in regulation before Gulley scored the next ten Missouri State points, during a 10-4 run, to make it 65-64 with 1:44 remaining. Lynch made 1 of 2 free throws with 21 seconds left to send the game into overtime.

Missouri State was behind by as many as 16 points in the first half but opened up the second half on a 9-5 run to cut its deficit to 46-40 with 15:43 to go.

Marcus Marshall had 14 points for Missouri State (11-2, 1-0) and Christian Kirk added 13.

— Associated Press —

Copyright Eagle Radio | FCC Public Files | EEO Public File