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Category: Sports

Mizzou’s Cunningham, Frericks earn All-SEC honors

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COLUMBIA, Mo. – Mizzou junior guard Sophie Cunningham and redshirt senior Jordan Frericks received All-SEC recognition, as announced by the Southeastern Conference on Tuesday. Cunningham was named First Team All-SEC by both the Associated Press and the league’s coaches and Frericks was named Second Team All-SEC by the coaches.

Cunningham has now earned First Team All-SEC honors in back-to-back seasons, becoming the first Tiger to secure First Team All-Conference recognition in two consecutive campaigns since Evan Unrau in 2003 and 2004.

Cunningham is currently the only player in the nation shooting above 47 percent from 3-point range, 56 percent from the field and 83 percent from the free throw line. She leads the SEC and ranks third in the NCAA in 3-point field goal percentage, making 47.5 of her attempts from long range. Cunningham also ranks fourth in the league in free throw percentage and seventh in the league in field goal percentage.

Cunningham is averaging a career-best 18.6 points per game, scoring in double figures 26 times in 28 games. She has scored at least 20 points 12 times, including seven times in conference play, and at least 25 points seven times. Cunningham has racked up 1,510 career points, which is fifth among active SEC players and ninth in Mizzou history.

Frericks received Second Team All-SEC recognition for the third time in her career. She is averaging 12.3 points and 7.6 rebounds in her final campaign at Mizzou. She has scored in double figures 19 times, including 12 times in the past 13 games to end the regular season in style. She’s also grabbed at least five rebounds 24 times in 29 games.

Frericks recently became just the third Tiger ever to reach 1,000 career points and 1,000 rebounds. She ranks third in program history in career rebounds with 1,010 and counting. Frericks has scored 1,414 career points and tallied 126 career blocked shots.

Mizzou continues its season at the 2018 SEC Tournament in Nashville this week. Mizzou tips off competition at 8:30 p.m. Thursday against either Florida or Ole Miss.

— Mizzou Athletics —

Andy Ball resigns as Central’s head football coach

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Andy Ball

Andy Ball is stepping down as Central High School’s head football coach in an announcement made Tuesday by Principal Dr. Deborah Stephens and David Lau, Athletic Director.

After much deliberation, Andy Ball, who has been Central’s head football coach since January of 2017, has accepted a position as the offensive coordinator for Missouri S&T in Rolla, Missouri.

While an offensive coordinator role is a substantial change from his role as the head coach of Central’s 5A football program, a job offer was attractive when it came up. “With the changes and uncertainty in the school district, it was hard to pass up a job I felt provided more stable footing. It was not an easy decision. I will continue to hope and pray that things get better in the district,” expressed Ball.

“Our goal at Central is to recruit and hire quality individuals like Andy. We are sad to see a quality head coach like him leave CHS,” said Dr. Deborah Stephens, Central Principal.

Athletic Director David Lau said, “Coach Ball’s passion for the game is contagious. We appreciate his hard work with our student athletes and service to our football program. It’s hard to lose good people. I know he will be a great offensive coordinator at Missouri S&T.”

Balls’ resignation is effective March 1, 2018. The search for his replacement will begin immediately.

(Press release)

Griffons pull off historic upset of Nebraska-Kearney in opening round of MIAA Tournament

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KEARNEY, Neb. – It was the biggest win of the season. It was the biggest upset in the history of the MIAA Women’s Basketball Championships.

The No. 12-seeded Missouri Western women’s basketball team knocked off No. 5-seed Nebraska Kearney, 60-57 Monday night to become the first 12-seed to ever win a game in the MIAA Championships. Missouri Western snapped a six-game losing streak and won on the road for just the second time all season and the first time against and MIAA opponent.

Missouri Western outscored the Lopers 21-13 in the fourth quarter to earn the victory. Down by seven with 6:53 left, the Griffons went on an 8-0 run capped by back-to-back three pointers by Mania Timson and Melia Richardson to take a one-point lead with 4:50 left. UNK answered to take a two-point lead, but the Griffons outscored the Lopers 8-3 over the final 3:33 to secure the team’s first postseason win since defeating Nebraska Kearney in the MIAA quarterfinals in 2016.

The Griffons advanced to the MIAA quarterfinals where they will face No. 4-seeded Central Oklahoma on Thursday, March 1 at approximately 8:15 p.m.

NOTABLES
– Timson led all scorers with a career-high 20 points, surpassing her previous career-high by 11 points. The freshman was 5-of-8 from the field and 3-of-4 from three-point range. She hit 3-of-4 free throws in the final 15 seconds to ice the victory.

– Nebraska Kearney made one of their last seven free throw attempts

– Missouri Western shot 88 percent at the free throw line while UNK shot 50 percent

– It was just the third time all season the Griffons won when trailing after three quarters

– Melia Richardson scored 16 points on 5-of-13 shooting to go with her four assists

– Savannah Lentz added 11 points

– Dossou Ndiaye scored nine points and pulled down nine rebounds

– Cera Ledbetter and KeShara Scott each pulled down eight rebounds

— MWSU Athletics —

Seniors propel No. 6 Kansas to 80-70 win over Texas

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LAWRENCE, Kan. (AP) — Kansas’ seniors led the charge on senior night.

Svi Mykhailiuk scored 17 points, Devonte Graham had 10 points and 11 assists and No. 6 Kansas beat Texas 80-70 to secure the outright Big 12 title.

Emotions ran high for the Jayhawks (24-6, 13-4 Big 12) in the final game at Allen Fieldhouse for Mykhailiuk, Graham and walk-on Clay Young.

“Been trying not to cry all day,” Graham said.

The emotion was channeled into a powerful start, as Kansas established control over the Longhorns (17-13, 7-10 Big 12) early. The Jayhawks wouldn’t look back after gaining the lead less than six minutes into the game.

“We didn’t play great tonight,” Bill Self said. “We played great in stretches though, first half especially. It’s nice to end your home season on a win so the guys can go out in style.”

Texas cut the lead to as little as six with just over 15 minutes remaining, but couldn’t complete the comeback. It carried the Big 12’s second-best shooting defense into the matchup, but allowed Kansas to shoot 60.3 percent from the field.

Kerwin Roach II led the way for the Longhorns with 18 points and eight assists, days after he hit the game-winner against Oklahoma State. Jacob Young posted 14 points and five rebounds.

Kansas has won its last nine meetings against Texas and has won 35 consecutive home finales. The Jayhawks are locked into the Big 12 tournament’s No. 1 seed.

NO MO

Texas was without star freshman Mo Bamba, who missed the game with a left toe injury. Bamba, a projected top-10 pick in the NBA draft, is second on the Longhorns in scoring (13 points per game) and first in rebounds (10.6) and blocks (3.8).

After he posted a career-high eight blocks against them in December, the Jayhawks tried to take advantage of his absence.

“That’s what we were emphasizing,” Graham said. “They didn’t have a rim protector, because Bamba’s one of a kind.”

AGGRESSIVE AZUBUIKE

While the spotlight belonged to the seniors, it was another strong game for Udoka Azubuike down low. He led all scorers with 20 points.

Azubuike entered the game leading the nation in field goal percentage (77.1 percent) and went 10 of 11 from the field. He also pulled in eight rebounds.

“That’s exactly how he should’ve played,” Graham said. “(Assistant coach Norm Roberts) came up to him in shootaround and told him just because Bamba’s out doesn’t mean you get to take the day off.”

SENIOR SENDOFF

Graham leaves Allen Fieldhouse a two-time All-Big 12 selection and No. 15 on the program’s all-time scoring list. Mykhailiuk ranks No. 6 all-time in 3-pointers made, and he cracked the top 50 on the all-time scoring list this season. Young appeared in 30 games in his three seasons as a walk-on.

BIG PICTURE

Kansas sealed the outright Big 12 championship after clinching at least a share of its 14th straight conference crown Saturday with a win over Texas Tech.

“I think they all feel great,” Self said. “If you don’t have to share it, you shouldn’t.”

Texas remains on the bubble to make the NCAA Tournament. If the Longhorns aren’t chosen, it will be just the third time in the last 20 years they’ve missed the tourney.

UP NEXT

Kansas wraps up its regular season on the road against Oklahoma State Saturday.

Texas will finish the regular season by hosting No. 20 West Virginia.

— Associated Press —

Western baseball loses series finale at Central Missouri 15-10

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WARRENSBURG, Mo. – Griffon baseball (5-8) fell at Central Missouri (9-2) 15-10. It is the first time this season Missouri Western has been swept in a series.

The final game of the series turned into a slugfest as the teams combined for 25 runs on 28 hits. MWSU and UCM were tied 5-5 after three innings before exchanging leads three times in the next four and half innings. The Griffons tied the game at 10-10 in the top of the eighth inning with a Will Jibas RBI single. The Mules broke the tie in the bottom of the eighth with five runs.

NOTABLES
– 10 runs is the most scored by Missouri Western since May 3, 2017 when it put 12 runs across the plate against Drury University

– The teams combined to use 27 position players and 13 pitchers in the three hour and 40 minute game

– Nick Schranck was 3-for-4 at the plate with two doubles and two walks

– Kyle Snuttjer had three RBIs and scored a run

– Dusty Stroup and Brooks Day each scored two runs

– Central Missouri’s Justin Graff-Rowe was 3-for-3 with four RBIs

UP NEXT
Missouri Western travels to Southern Indiana in Evansville, Indiana for a three-game series beginning on Friday, March 2.

— MWSU Athletics —

Northwest baseball completes sweep of Emporia State

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The Northwest Missouri State University baseball team defeated Emporia State, 12-11, in 12 innings on Monday at the Trusler Sports Complex in Emporia, Kan.

Hudson Bilodeau hit two home runs for the Bearcats including a walk off two-run shot in the bottom of the 12th.

Northwest improves to 6-6 overall and 3-0 in MIAA play with the weekend sweep. Emporia State falls to 6-7 overall and 0-3 in conference action.

Bilodeau went 3-for-5 with two home runs. He drove in five runs, scored twice and drew a walk.

Key Northwest Statistics
– Northwest scored four in the second, one in the third, three in the sixth, one in the seventh, one in the eighth and two in the 12th.
– The Hornets scored three in the first, two in the second, one in the third, one in the fourth, one in the fifth, two in the sixth and one in the 12th.
– The Bearcats had 12 runs on 19 hits with five errors. Emporia State scored 11 runs on 17 hits with two errors.
– Luke Hassman went 4-for-6 with two runs scored and two RBIs.
– Aaron Barratt went 3-for-5 with a double. He scored two runs, stole a base and also reached on a walk.
– Alixon Herrera was 2-for-5 with a home run. He drove in a pair and scored one run. He also reached on a walk.
– Kevin Handzlik was 4-for-6 with a solo home run.
– Logan Rycraft was 1-for-6 with a run scored and added a stolen base.
– Mondesi Gutierrez was 1-for-5, scored two runs and stole a base.
– Nathan Russell came on in relief in the second. He pitched 3.1 innings, allowing four hits and two earned runs. He walked one and struck out two.
– Jarret Cronin worked one inning of relief, allowing no hits. He walked two and struck out one.
– Jacob Wagner threw 4.1 innings of relief. He allowed just one run on five hits. He struck out five and walked one.
– Trevor Dudar picked up the win, retiring all three batters he faced.

Key Northwest Innings
– Northwest started the second with four straight hits. Hassman singled and Herrera hit his second home run in as many days over the left field fence to put the Bearcats on the board. Handzlik followed it up by taking the first pitch he saw over the left field fence for Northwest’s third run. Gutierrez continued the streak with a single up the middle. After an out, Barratt singled to center. Gutierrez went to third on a groundout. With two down, Bilodeau ripped a single into left, driving in Gutierrez to make it 5-4.

– In the third, Hassman and Herrera each hit back-to-back singles. Handzlk came up and laid down a bunt that landed perfectly between the pitcher’s mound and first base, allowing him to reach on an infield single to load the bases. A ground ball double play allowed Hassman to come in and score to keep it a one-run ballgame, 6-5.

– Leadoff batters again led to a big Northwest inning. Easley hit an infield single to second to start and Barratt drew a walk. Rycraft got a bunt single to third to load the bases. Bilodeau hit a sacrifice fly to drive in Easley for the Bearcats’ sixth run. After a groundout that moved up both runners, Hassman hit a single to left center, driving in Barratt and Rycraft to make it a 10-8 game.

– With one out in the seventh, Gutierrez was hit by a pitch. After a strike out, Barratt hit a single to put runners on the corners with two down. The Hornets changed pitchers with Rycraft at the plate. The Bearcats then executed a double steal as Barratt took of halfway to second, drawing a throw. On the throw, Gutierrez took off for home and beat the tag at the plate for Northwest’s ninth run.

– Bilodeau tied the game, 10-10, with a leadoff home run to left field in the bottom of the eighth.

– Down by one in the 12th, Barratt laced a double down the left field line to lead off. Rycraft moved him to third with sacrifice bunt. Bilodeau came up with his second home run of the game on the second pitch he saw, a blast over the left center field fence for the walk off.

Up Next
– The Bearcats will head to Fort Hays State on Friday, March 2, to start a three-game MIAA series with the Tigers. First pitch Friday is scheduled for 2 p.m.

— Northwest Athletics —

Griffon baseball drops two games at Central Missouri Sunday

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WARRENSBURG, Mo. – Griffon baseball (5-7) dropped a doubleheader at Central Missouri (8-2) Sunday in the opening weekend of MIAA conference play. The Mules won game one 4-2 and then picked up the second win 8-4.

Carson Dwyer cruised through five innings of work in game one but UCM capitalized on a shaky sixth inning and scored all four of its runs on a grand slam. Dwyer rebounded and retired Central Missouri three up and three down in the seventh and eighth innings.

The Mules used another late rally with five runs in the eighth inning to pull away from MWSU in game two. Missouri Western chipped away with three consecutive hits and two runs to lead off the ninth inning but it wouldn’t be enough to rally back for the win.

NOTABLES
– Casey Danley batted .500 and scored two runs

– Brooks Day was .429 on the day and drove in three runs

– Dusty Stroup recorded five total bases and hit the only MWSU home run

– Central Missouri pitchers combined for 14 strikeouts

UP NEXT
Missouri Western and Central Missouri play the final game of the series Monday at 1 p.m. in Warrensburg.

— MWSU Athletics —

No. 11 Mizzou women lose at 17th-ranked Texas A&M 82-63

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COLLEGE STATION, Texas (AP) — Anriel Howard turned in her sixth straight double-double and became Texas A&M’s career and single-season rebounding record-holder as the No. 17 Aggies beat No. 11 Missouri 82-63 on Sunday.

Howard had 16 points and 10 rebounds for 923 boards in her career, passing Prissy Sharpe (920 from 1996-2000), and 360 this season, tying Peggy Pope (1978-79).

Chennedy Carter scored 23 points and Danni Williams 20 for the Aggies (22-8, 11-5), who finished in a four-way tie for fourth place with Missouri (23-6, 11-5), LSU and Tennessee in the SEC. Texas A&M will be the No. 5 seed and Missouri No. 6 and both have first-round byes in the conference tournament in Nashville, Tennessee.

Sophie Cunningham scored 19 points for the Tigers, who had a five-game win streak end.

A 14-0 run gave the Aggies a 20-point lead late in the first half and was extended to 25 midway through the third quarter after a 10-0 surge. The lead remained comfortably in double figures.

Texas A&M shot 56 percent.

— Associated Press —

Copeland, Nebraska hold off Penn State for 76-64 win

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LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — Nebraska made history Sunday night, setting a program record for conference wins and winning 22 games overall for just the third time in school history with its 76-64 victory over Penn State.

“It’s a very important night, a historic night from what I’m hearing,” said Nebraska coach Tim Miles. “I’m just really proud of these guys, to have that, at least, accomplished. Now certainly we have more goals and we want to go a lot farther. But I’m just happy that this night they can enjoy that and put that in their back pockets.”

Nebraska (22-9, 13-5 Big Ten) clinched the No. 4 seed and double-bye into the quarterfinals of next week’s conference tournament. The Huskers kept hopes alive for their first NCAA Tournament berth since 2014.

“I’m just glad we finished it, got that bye,’ said Nebraska senior Anton Gill, who played his final regular season home game Sunday. “We’re not going to New York to just play around. We want to win that, too. We really feel like we have the best team in the Big Ten. More wins would obviously help. But if you ask my opinion, we’ve proven throughout the year we’re a tournament team.”

The Huskers, who led by 17 at half, stretched their advantage to 49-28 on Gill’s 3-pointer with about 13 minutes remaining. Then Penn State (19-10, 9-9) began to chip away at the lead behind Tony Carr, who had 19 of his 27 points in the second half.

The Nittany Lions cut the Nebraska advantage to 12 six times in the last 4:13, but got no closer.

“I’m really proud of my team the second half there,” Penn State coach Pat Chambers said. “Obviously they jumped us. Give Tim (Floyd) and Nebraska credit, they’ve been playing really good basketball the last month and came out and punched us in the mouth.”

Nebraska took control with a 17-3 first-half run, highlighted by three straight baby hooks by Jordy Tshimanga, going up 25-10 on Copeland’s basket with 6:44 left in the half.

The Huskers had a 46-28 edge in points in the paint and outrebounded Penn State 45-28.

Isaiah Roby had 13 points for Nebraska and James Palmer Jr. and Glynn Watson Jr. had 11 points each.

Lamar Stevens had 13 points for Penn State and Shep Garner added 11.

BIG PICTURE

Nebraska: With Sunday’s win, the Huskers broke the school record for most conference wins in a season at 13. The previous mark of 12 conference wins was set in 1965-66 when Nebraska played in the Big Eight Conference and in 1915-16 when the Huskers were a member of the Missouri Valley Conference. Nebraska was undefeated at home in conference play for the ninth time in school history.

Penn State: The Nittany Lions played without Mike Watkins, the team’s second leading scorer, who had 20 points and 15 rebounds in the Penn State’s 76-74 overtime win over Nebraska in State College on Jan. 12.

QUOTABLE

Nebraska’s Evan Taylor on Senior Night — “It was crazy. All my teammates were saying I was going to be the one to cry of all the seniors. I was “nah, nah, nah.’ But in the tunnel, I got emotional. Everything I had to do to get here, it was a journey…I’m glad the whole community accepted me and we were able to finish strong.”

UP NEXT

Nebraska will play in the conference tournament quarterfinals Friday.

Penn State will play Northwestern on Thursday in the second round of the Big Ten Tournament.

— Associated Press —

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