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Category: College

Bearcats move up to No. 4 in regional rankings

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After claiming a share of its 12th MIAA regular season title, the Northwest Missouri State Bearcat men’s basketball team moved to No. 4 in the NCAA South Central Region Rankings Wednesday announced by the rankings committee.

The Bearcats jumped three spots to No. 4 after sitting at No. 7 last week. Northwest stands at 21-5 heading into this week’s MIAA Men’s Basketball Championships as the No. 3 seed. Northwest takes on Southwest Baptist in the first-round at 8:15 p.m. Friday.

Midwestern State held onto the No. 1 spot after claiming a share of the Lone Star Conference regular season title and earning the 1-seed at this week’s LSC Championships.

Tarleton State also remained at No. 2 as Arkansas Tech held steady at No. 3 for the third week in a row.

Co-MIAA Champion Washburn checks in at No. 5 behind Northwest with Missouri Southern at No. 6, West Texas A&M at No. 7 and Co-MIAA Champion Central Missouri rounding out the top eight.

Texas A&M-International sits at No. 9 while Cameron joins the top 10 for the first time.

The South Central Region is made up of teams from the MIAA, Lone Star Conference, Heartland Conference and Great American Conference. Conference tournaments are this week for all four conferences. The winners of the MIAA, LSC and Heartland receive automatic bids to the eight-team NCAA South Central Region tournament, and the remaining five seeds are filled by at-large bids based on NCAA rankings. The newly-formed GAC does not have an automatic bid.

— NWMSU Sports Information —

KU’s Robinson named to Naismith Midseason Watch List

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Kansas junior forward Thomas Robinson has been named to the Naismith Men’s College Player of the Year Midseason Watch List it was announced Wednesday by the Atlanta Tipoff Club. Robinson is one of 30 players from around the country named to the prestigious watch list.

The Naismith Men’s Basketball Player of the Year Award presented by AT&T Midseason 30 Watch List was compiled by the Atlanta Tipoff Club’s Board of Selectors, which based its criteria on player performances from the 2011-12 college basketball season. The Naismith Trophy, presented by AT&T, will be awarded at the 2012 NCAA Men’s Final Four in New Orleans.

Robinson adds to his already impressive list of accolades for the season. Earlier this week he was named the Phillips 66 Big 12 Player of the Week for the fourth time this season. The four Big 12 Player of the Week honors for Robinson in 2011-12 are tied for the third-most in a season in conference history. The list of four-time honorees includes former KU great Drew Gooden in 2001-02, Texas’ Kevin Durant (2006-07) and P.J. Tucker (2005-06) and Iowa State’s Marcus Fizer (1999-00). All of the previous four-time honorees were later named the Big 12 Player of the Year. Robinson was also named the Oscar Robertson National Player of the Week on Dec. 11.

For the season, Robinson’s 17.8 points lead the Jayhawks and rank third in the Big 12, while his 21 double-doubles and 11.8 rebounds per game rank first in the conference and second nationally. The 6-10 power forward is tied for third with former KU great Raef LaFrentz, with 21 double-doubles in a single season. He needs only five more to pass Drew Gooden for first all-time. Robinson had career highs with 30 points and 21 rebounds against North Dakota (12/31).

Against eight ranked opponents this season, Robinson is averaging 19.8 points, 12.3 rebounds, 55.6 FG percentage and a 76.2 FT percentage. He has recorded seven double-doubles and four 20-point games.

The Washington, D.C. native, helped Kansas record its eighth-straight Big 12 Championship on Monday at Oklahoma State. Kansas wraps up the regular season on Saturday, March 3, when the Jayhawks host the Texas Longhorns on Senior Night.

— KU Sports Information —

Western’s Douglas, Johnson earn All-MIAA honors

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Two Missouri Western men’s basketball players earn All-MIAA honors as announced today by the league office. Lavonte Douglas was selected to the third team while TJ Johnson earned honorable mention.

Douglas, a third team selection had a solid season accumlating six double-doubles and scoring in double figures 18 times including his last 13 games. He snared a career high 17 rebounds against Southwest Baptist on January 17 in Bolivar. Ten of those rebounds came on the offensive end. He scored a career high 26 points in his final game as a Griffon on Saturday connecting on a career best 9-of-13 field goals against SBU. He shot 54.2-percent (141-260) from the field and averaged 8.1 rebounds per contest.

Douglas finished the regular season ranking 6th in the MIAA in scoring (13.1), 3rd in rebouinding (8.1), 2nd in field goal percentage (54.2), 12thi n blocked shots (0.7), 3rd in offensive rebounds (3.2) and 4th in defensive rebounds (4.9).

Johnson, an honorable mention selection played well for the Griffons averaging 12.3 points per game and 3.2 assists. Johnson scored in double figures in 15 of the 23 games he played in including scoring a career hig 23 points against Lincoln on January 7, 2012 in St. Joseph. He scored 20 or more points four times this season. Johnson had one double-double on the season snaring 10 rebounds and dumping in 22 points against Truman State on January 11, 2012.

Johnson finished the regular season ranking 12th in the MIAA in scoring (12.3), 20th in rebouinding (4.7), 8th in assists (3.2), 11th in steals (1.3), 8th in assist/turnover ratio (1.3) and 3rd in minutes played (33.0).

The Griffons finished the 2011-2012 season with a 9-17 overall and 4-16 in MIAA play.

— MWSU Sports Information —

NWMSU’s McCollum named MIAA Coach of the Year; 4 others honored

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After leading Northwest Missouri State to a share of the MIAA regular season championship, head coach Ben McCollum was named MIAA Coach of the Year as all-conference honors were announced by the league office on Tuesday.

McCollum, in his third-year at the helm of the Bearcats, earned his first Coach of the Year honors, leading Northwest to a 21-5 record overall and a 15-5 finish in the conference.

Along with McCollum, junior guard DeShaun Cooper was named to the All-MIAA First-Team after leading the league in free throw shooting. Cooper also led Northwest in scoring, steals and assists, helping guide the Bearcats to their 12th league title and first since the 2006-07 season.

Senior Jake Reinders was named to the All-MIAA Second Team. Reinders shot over 60 percent from the field and averaged over six rebounds per game. Reinders was also named to the All-MIAA Defensive Team finishing with 24 blocks on the season.

DeAngelo Hailey and Kyle Haake were named to the Honorable Mention All-MIAA Team – the first conference honors for both. Haake was near the top of the league in three-point shooting and free throw percentage while Hailey shot 83 percent from the free throw line and 42 percent from behind the three-point line.

The league’s leading scorer Keane Thomann was named Player of the Year while Matt Simmons of Fort Hays State was named the league’s Defensive Player of the Year. Seth Jackson of Truman State earned Freshman of the Year accolades to round out the player of the year awards.

Missouri Southern and Northwest Missouri led the league with four All-MIAA selections apiece, followed by Central Missouri, Fort Hays State, Pittsburg State and Washburn with three each, Missouri Western, Southwest Baptist and Truman with two each, and Emporia State and Lincoln with one apiece.

The MIAA Centennial Basketball Championships begin Thursday at Municipal Auditorium in Downtown Kansas City, with the men taking the floor on Friday. Men’s award winners and All-MIAA First Team selections will be recognized prior to the 6 p.m. game Friday evening.

2011-12 ALL-MIAA MEN’S BASKETBALL TEAM

PLAYER OF THE YEAR
Keane Thomann, Sr., C, Missouri Southern

DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR
Matt Simmons, Sr., C, Fort Hays State

FRESHMAN OF THE YEAR
Seth Jackson, G, Truman

COACH OF THE YEAR
Ben McCollum, Northwest Missouri

FIRST TEAM
Keane Thomann, Sr., C, Missouri Southern**
Will McNeill, Jr., G, Washburn**
DeShaun Cooper, Jr., G, Northwest Missouri
Ryan Dougherty, Sr., G, Southwest Baptist
Jason Adams, Sr., G/F, Missouri Southern [r1]

**Unanimous Selection
[r1] – Repeat first team selection from last season

SECOND TEAM
Dominique Long,Jr., F, Central Missouri
Boo Hunter, Sr., G, Central Missouri
Jake Reinders, Sr., F, Northwest Missouri
Andra Bailey, Sr., F, Pittsburg State
Matt Simmons, Sr., C, Fort Hays State

THIRD TEAM
Karron McKenzie, Sr., G/F, Fort Hays State
Lavonte Douglas, Sr., F, Missouri Western
Moses Dayee, Sr., G/F, Fort Hays State
Marquis Addison, So., G, Missouri Southern
Eric Ray, Sr., G, Pittsburg State

HONORABLE MENTION

Widgett Washington, Jr., G, Central Missouri
Tola Lawal, Sr., G, Emporia State
Cedric Ridle, Jr., G, Lincoln
Jordan Talbert, So., F, Missouri Southern
TJ Johnson, Sr., G, Missouri Western
Kyle Haake, Sr., G, Northwest Missouri
DeAngelo Hailey, Jr., G, Northwest Missouri
Javon McGee, Jr., C, Pittsburg State
Robson Memnon, Sr., F, Southwest Baptist
Seth Jackson, Fr., G, Truman
Tom Norton, Jr., G, Truman
Martin Mitchell, Jr., G, Washburn
Bobby Chipman, Jr., F, Washburn

ALL-DEFENSIVE TEAM
Matt Simmons, Sr., C, Fort Hays State
Ryan Dougherty, Sr., G, Southwest Baptist
Will McNeill, Jr., G, Washburn
Jake Reinders, Sr., F, Northwest Missouri
Andra Bailey, Sr., F, Pittsburg State

— NWMSU Sports Information —

McGruder leads Kansas State to win at A&M

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Rodney McGruder scored 26 points with five 3-pointers to lead Kansas State to a 76-70 win over struggling Texas A&M on Tuesday night.

Texas A&M used a 6-0 run, capped by a jump shot by Dash Harris, to cut Kansas State’s lead to 66-63 with about 3 minutes left.

McGruder responded with a 3-pointer before a layup by Harris on the other end. A put-back dunk by Jordan Henriquez and a pair of free throws by Angel Rodriguez stretched the lead to 73-65 with less than a minute remaining.

The victory gave Kansas State (20-9, 9-8 Big 12) 20 wins for the sixth straight season and 25th time in school history.

Elston Turner had 22 points for Texas A&M (13-16, 4-13), which has dropped four in a row.

— Associated Press —

Griffons sweep weekly MIAA softball awards

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Missouri Western softball players Leah Steele and Jackie Bishop have been named MIAA Softball Student-Athletes of the Week for the week of Feb. 21-27, as selected by a conference SID panel.

MIAA SOFTBALL HITTER OF THE WEEK

Leah Steele, 1B, Missouri Western

Steele has been on fire as of late getting a hit in 11 straight games which includes all six last weekend. The senior from Greenwood, Mo., knocked in five runs on the week, including blasting a two run homer against Missouri S&T giving Western the 2-0 lead. She also went 2-for-4 against North Alabama with two runs scored and one RBI. In the Griffons last game, she got the big two RBI double putting Western up 2-0 against a good Monticello team. On the week she hit .350 going 7-20 with four runs and five RBI.

MIAA SOFTBALL PITCHER OF THE WEEK

Jackie Bishop, RHP, Missouri Western

Bishop continued her dominance this past weekend pitching three more complete games including her second shutout of the season in a 5-0 victory over the Bulldogs of Southwestern Oklahoma State. The senior from Kirksville, Mo., had 28 strikeouts in three games and has struck out 10 or more in seven of her eight games. She walked just four on the week. She sits at 8-0 on the season with a 0.95 ERA and 88 strikeouts.

— MWSU Sports Information —

Bearcats’ Haer & McKnight qualify for nationals

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The Northwest Missouri State men’s and women’s track and field teams has qualified one individual each, Will Haer and Lekiesha McKnight, for this year’s 2012 NCAA Division II Indoor Track and Field National Championships. The meet will take place on March 9-10 in Mankato, Minn.

Haer was a runner-up finisher at last week’s MIAA Indoor Championships in the pole vault. The junior posted his NCAA provisional mark of 16’ 1.25” last month at the Concordia Classic in Seward, Neb. The jump also ranked the Craig, Mo., native third on the Northwest indoor all-time list and will be seeded 12th at the NCAA Championships.

McKnight fought off tough competition in the shot put, placing fourth at last week’s MIAA Championships. Her mark of 47’ 2.25” pushed her onto the NCAA Performance list for next month’s NCAA Championships and was also a personal best moving her to third on the Northwest indoor all-time top 10.

— NWMSU Sports Information —

MSU’s Weems & Downing honored by the Missouri Valley

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Missouri State University senior Kyle Weems (Sr., F, Topeka, Kan.) has been named to the All-Missouri Valley Conference first team, the league announced Tuesday, while teammate Anthony Downing was named to the MVC All-Newcomer squad.

The tandem were the only two MSU award winners in the league’s first round of postseason awards.

Weems, the 2011 MVC Larry Bird Player of the Year, has scored in double figures in 29 of 31 games this season and moved up to No. 2 on the Bears’ career scoring list his senior season. He earned MVC Player of the Week honors for the sixth time in his career on Jan. 2 and also claimed National Player of the Week distinction the same week after helping the Bears to a win over then-No. 19 Creighton with a 31-point outburst in the conference opener.

He is averaging team-bests 15.4 points and 7.1 rebounds per game while tacking on 58 three-pointers, 44 assists, 19 steals and 18 blocks. He ranks second among all active Division I players in career double-figure scoring games (109) and is the only player in the nation — and only player in MVC history — with more than 1,800 points, 800 rebounds and 200 three-pointers in his career.

“It’s awesome,” Weems said. “It’s been great having a great group of guys to pass me the ball when I’m open as well as a great coaching staff to put me in a position to be successful. It’s just an extreme honor.”

Weems is joined on the All-MVC first team by 2012 Player of the Year Doug McDermott of Creighton, Colt Ryan of Evansville, and the Wichita State pair of Garrett Stutz and Joe Ragland.

Downing has scored in double figures in eight of the last night games headed into this week’s MVC Tournament in St. Louis. He is averaging 11.6 points, 3.2 rebounds and 2.3 assists per game with 15 starts. He is shooting a team-best 83.3 percent from the free throw line.

He led the MVC in Newcomer of the Week honors this season, earning the Valley’s top rookie distinction four times. He led a cast of three talented new faces on the Missouri State roster who collectively won the MVC Newcomer of the Week award eight times, the second-highest team total in league history.

Joining Downing on the five-man All-Newcomer Team are MVC Newcomer of the Year Carl Hall of Wichita State, Tyler Brown of Illinois State, Grant Gibbs of Creighton and Seth Tuttle of Northern Iowa. All are juniors except Tuttle, a freshman. Hall won Valley Newcomer of the Week honors just once this season.

The Bears finished 9-9 in MVC play this year to finish tied for third. MSU will take on No. 3 seed Evansville in the quarterfinal round of the State Farm MVC Tournament at 8:35 p.m. Friday at Scottrade Center in St. Louis.

— MSU Sports Information —

Missouri Western’s Koch named 1st Team All-MIAA; Bell on 3rd Team

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Two Missouri Western women’s basketball players earn All-MIAA honors as announced Monday by the league office. Jessica Koch was selected to the first team while Alicia Bell earned honorable mention.

Koch, a first team selection had an outstanding season for the Griffons. She is 4th in the nation and leads the MIAA in scoring, averaging 21.9 points per game. She broke the all-time scoring record which was 1,750 points by Lisa Hughes. Koch now has 1,751 in her career. She also holds records for free throws made with 391. She is second in free throws attempted (520), field goals made (607) and field goals attempted (1,371). She is fourth in assists with 383 and seventh in three point field goals made with 146.

This season she scored in double figures in 25 of 26 games and scored 20 or more points 12 times and over 30 points four times. She collected three double-doubles and scored a career high 38 points against Southwest Baptist on a career best 17-of-28 shooting. She also made 10 or more free throws five times including a career best 14-of-15 against Central Missouri.

Koch ranks first in the MIAA in scoring (21.9), 13th in rebounds (6.6), 8th in field goal percentage (43.5), 6th in assists (3.4), 5th in free throw percentage (78.6), 1st in steals (2.9), 10th in 3-point field goals made (1.6), 12th in blocked shots (0.9), 9th in assist/turnover ratio (0.9), 5th in defenisve rebounds (5.2) and 1st in minutes played (36.4).

Bell, an honorable mention selection has been solid all season long averaging 8.2 point and 6.3 rebonds per game. She averages 4.1 assists per game and 1.5 steals. She scored in double figures 11 times including 19 against her former team Northwest Missouri State. She collected two double-doubles and dished out seven assists four times this season. She is 4th in the MIAA in assists (4.1), 8th in steals (1.5), 1st in assist/turnover ratio (2.2), 3rd in offenisve rebounds (2.9) and 2nd in minutes played (33.0).

The Griffons are the 8th seed in the MIAA women’s tournament and will take on the No. 1 seed Washburn Lady Blues on Thursday, March 1. Tip is set for 12:00 pm in Municipal Auditorium in downtown Kansas City, Mo.

— MWSU Sports Information —

Northwest Missouri State’s Steinmeyer announces retirement

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Gene Steinmeyer, the second winningest women’s basketball coach in Northwest Missouri State history, announced his retirement today after 13 seasons at the head of the Bearcat bench.

“The players and coaches have made my stay at Northwest the best of my career,” Steinmeyer said, who will turn 62 in March. “I wish I could have brought more consistent success to women’s basketball. I pledge to help the new coach in any way possible. I want the women’s basketball program to reach new heights.”

Steinmeyer, found plenty of success at the most important times during his 13 seasons. He retires with 189 wins at Northwest, the second most behind Wayne Winstead’s 311.

“Gene is a terrific coach and better person,” Northwest Director of Athletics Wren Baker said. “His passion and dedication has left an indelible mark on Northwest athletics and Bearcat women’s basketball.

“The ride he and his team took us in 2011 is one we will always remember. We will miss having Gene on the sidelines but know he will always be a part of the Bearcat family. We wish him all the best in his retirement”

The two-time MIAA Coach of the Year closes out his career at Northwest just one year removed from one of the most successful seasons in Bearcat women’s basketball history.

“I hate to start naming people for fear of offending those I leave out. However, everyone involved with Northwest should be excited about Wren Baker and the people he has brought on board,” Steinmeyer said. “Athletics at Northwest will prosper for years to come.”

Steinmeyer, who started his tenure at Northwest Missouri in 2000, guided the Bearcats to three MIAA Tournament Championships (2004, 2008 and 2011) and one MIAA regular season title in 2011. He helped lead Northwest to the postseason in nine of his 13 seasons as the Bearcats head coach.

“It’s me that should thank Northwest, not Northwest thanking me,” Steinmeyer said. “Maryville and the Northwest community has been a great atmosphere to spend my final 13 years of coaching. My son, Sam, was born in Maryville and has been raised a Bearcat.”

During his time at Northwest, Steinmeyer guided the Bearcats to four NCAA Regional Tournaments (2004, 2007-2008, and 2011) and one Final Four appearance (2011). After a 4-22 record in his first season Northwest went on to finish with a .500 record or better in six seasons including a pair of 20-win seasons.

Northwest President Dr. John Jasinski praised Steinmeyer’s success on and off the court during his time at the helm of the Bearcats.

“Coach Steinmeyer has given great service to Northwest. His MIAA regular season and tournament titles and amazing run to the Final Four in 2011 are only part of his Bearcat contribution,” Jasinski said.

“He has been a cheerleader for the institution and a supporter of our other coaches. He has advocated what the Northwest experience is all about and we wish him the very best in retirement.”

Steinmeyer received Jasinski’s praise and offered excitement for the future of Northwest.

“Dr. Jasinski is a hands-on president that will make sure Northwest is at the front of the MIAA in all areas including athletics. I am sorry I only had a chance to work two years for Dr. Jasinski.”

Under Steinmeyer Northwest had one MIAA MVP, Gabby Curtis, in 2011, and three All-America, Curtis and Kyla Roehrig both during the 2011 season and Sarah Vollertson in 2004.

Twenty Bearcats have earned all-MIAA honors under Steinmeyer and 33 All-MIAA Academic Team members. A pair of Bearcats has also been honored as CoSIDA Academic All-District athletes as April Miller in 2008 and Laura Friederich earned the academic accolades during the 2006 campaign.

For his career, Steinmeyer has recorded 549 victories at the collegiate level.

Steinmeyer finished by adding a special thank you.

“Lori Hopkins, my assistant for eight years and now my boss as senior women’s administrator, has accomplished so much behind the scenes. Lori is directly responsible for the development of Gabby Curtis.”

“I will never coach again, but I plan to live in Maryville. My family tells me I must keep working. I can’t imagine a better place for a permanent home and to raise my son. I have employment plans in Maryville, but coaching at Northwest will never be far from my heart.”

Before becoming the Bearcats’ head coach, Steinmeyer began his college coaching career at Doane College (Neb.) in 1984 where he completed 15 successful seasons compiling a 360-141 record. During his time there he took the Tigers to seven NAIA National Tournaments and holds a 13-7 postseason record.

In each of his last five seasons, Steinmeyer took Doane to the national tournament, winning at least 25 games in each season with two 30-plus win seasons in 1995 and 1996.

Prior to his time at Doane, Steinmeyer claimed a Nebraska Class C State Championship at Wilber-Clatonia High School. He also earned two conference championships and a pair of district titles at the high school level.

— NWMSU Sports Information —

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