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Area High School District Football Schedule – Friday, November 3

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CLASS 4 DISTRICT 8
4 Lafayette (9-2, 5-2 MEC) @ 2 Platte County (9-2)
LISTEN ON ESPN 1550 or CLICK HERE

CLASS 3 DISTRICT 8
2 Maryville (9-2, 5-2 MEC) @ 1 Chillicothe (10-1, 6-1 MEC)

CLASS 2 DISTRICT 8
3 Lathrop (9-2, 5-2 KCI) @ 1 Lafayette County (11-0)

CLASS 1 DISTRICT 8
2 Hamilton (10-1, 6-1 KCI) @ 1 Princeton (11-0, 6-0 GRC)

CLASS 1 DISTRICT 7
3 Plattsburg (7-4, 3-4 KCI) @ 1 East Buchanan (9-2, 6-1 KCI)

8-MAN DISTRICT 1
3 Stanberry (10-1, 6-1 GRC) @ 1 Worth County (10-0, 7-0 GRC)

8-MAN DISTRICT 2
4 St. Joseph Christian (5-5, 2-5 GRC) @ 2 North Andrew (6-3, 4-2 GRC)

8-MAN DISTRICT 3
2 Southwest Livingston (6-4, 4-4 275) @ 1 King City (7-2, 4-2 GRC)

8-MAN DISTRICT 4
2 Greenfield (8-1) @ 1 Sacred Heart (9-0)

Missouri women open exhibition play with win over Southwest Baptist

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COLUMBIA, Mo. – Mizzou Women’s Basketball defeated Southwest Baptist, 77-55, in an exhibition matchup to begin the 2017-18 season on Thursday night at Mizzou Arena. Mizzou used a balanced offensive attack to dominate the ballgame as it shot 50 percent from the field and 12 different Tigers found the scoring column. Mizzou maintained a strong presence inside all evening as senior forwards Jordan Frericks (Quincy Ill.) and Kayla Michael (Cincinnati, Oh.), and junior forward Cierra Porter (Columbia, Mo.) dominated the glass and shot efficiently from the paint. The trio combined for 32 points and grabbed 29 boards.

Turning Point
Frericks and Michael sparked a Mizzou offensive surge in the closing minutes of the first quarter. Frericks set up Michael on a back door cut and Michael’s layup gave the Tigers a three-point lead with four minutes left in the quarter. The possession led to fluidity in the Mizzou offense and the Tigers ended the frame on a 10-2 run and held a 24-13 lead. Mizzou translated the momentum to the defensive side to start the second quarter as the Tigers forced six turnovers in the period’s first five minutes and built a 33-16 lead.

Top Tigers
– Senior Kayla Michael’s 13 rebounds were her most in a single game since she pulled in 11 in a matchup against California on November 23, 2014.

– Junior Cierra Porter recorded a double-double with 10 points and 10 rebounds. Porter had a team-best 12 double-doubles last season.

– In her first action since the 2015-16 season, senior Jordan Frericks led all scorers with 13 points on six-of-eight shooting from the field. She also hauled in six rebounds.

– Newcomer Lauren Aldridge poured in nine points, all coming on threes. Aldridge was three-for-four from behind the arc and also grabbed a pair of rebounds. The transfer shot 36 percent from long distance for Kansas during the 2015-16 season.

Notes
– Mizzou’s 24-point first quarter matched a 24-point frame against Truman State in an exhibition game last season.

– Mizzou’s 47 points in the first half were its most in an exhibition game since the second half of an exhibition matchup with Quincy University on November 9, 2015.

– Sophomore guard Jordan Roundtree matched a career-high in points with six. She scored six in against Mississippi State on February 5, 2017.

– Mizzou held the Bearcats to a 33 percent shooting clip from the field. The shooting percentage was the lowest the Tigers have allowed since a matchup with Aurburn last season on January 26, 2017.

Up Next
Mizzou continues exhibition play Monday vs. McKendree at Mizzou Arena. Tip off is slated for 7 p.m. CT. Admission is free.

— Mizzou Athletics —

K-State’s McCrane named semifinalist for Lou Groza Award

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MANHATTAN, Kan. – Kansas State senior Matthew McCrane is one of 20 place kickers in the nation to be named a semifinalist for the 2017 Lou Groza Award, the Palm Beach County Sports Commission announced Thursday.

McCrane, the lone Big 12 place kicker on the list, is the fifth Wildcat to be named a semifinalist for the award. Martin Gramatica was the 1997 winner and 1998 runner up, while Jamie Rheem was the runner up in both 1999 and 2000. Joe Rheem (2004) and Anthony Cantele (2012) were also semifinalists for the award.

A product of Brownwood, Texas, McCrane leads the Big 12 and ranks fifth nationally with 15 field goals this season. His total includes three of at least 50 yards, including the two longest field goals in the Big 12 this season when he made a 54-yarder at Texas and a 53-yarder against Central Arkansas.

McCrane is threatening to break several school records, while he will leave K-State with several top-10 rankings. He is currently first in school history in career field-goal percentage (86.4; 51-59) and career extra-point percentage (.991; 114-115), while he is tied for the single-season and career (5) records for 50-yard field goals made.

A two-time All-Big 12 placekicker, McCrane also ranks second in career field goals made with 51, just three behind Gramatica for the record. His 267 career points rank fifth in school history overall and third among kickers. His 18 field goals in 2014 – a year he was named a Freshman All-American – are tied for fifth in school history, while this year’s total is 10th.

Three finalists for the award will be announced on Tuesday, November 21, and be honored at the 26th annual Lou Groza Collegiate Place-Kicker Awards Banquet on December 4. The winner of the 2017 Lou Groza Award will be announced live on ESPN at the Home Depot College Football Awards Show on Thursday, December 7.

Kansas State meets Texas Tech on Saturday, an 11 a.m., contest inside Jones AT&T Stadium in Lubbock, Texas.

— KSU Athletics —

Cluck’s goal in the 85th minute sends MWSU soccer to MIAA semifinals

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ST. JOSEPH – Sydney Cluck exercised Missouri Western soccer’s postseason demons when she poked in the game-winning goal in the 85th minute Wednesday night against Central Oklahoma to give the Griffons a 2-1 win in the first round of the MIAA Tournament.

MWSU improves to 16-3 and its their first postseason victory in school history. After three straight years of heartbreaking losses in the opening round of the conference tournament, the Griffons advanced the semifinals in dramatic fashion.

Cassidy Menke’s 15th goal of the season in the 10th minute looked like it might spark a runaway victory for Missouri Western. After 62 minutes of scoreless soccer, Central Oklahoma’s Asha Haile scored the equalizer from the right side of the box. A little more than 13 minutes later, Menke touched in a pass to Cluck who squeezed between a defender and the Broncho goalkeeper for what proved to be the game-winner.

Missouri Western just out-shot the Bronchos on the night, 15-11, but had one less shot on goal (7) than UCO’s eight. Menke led the Griffons with five shots, three on goal. Sarah Lyle played the entire game with seven crucial saves. Madeline Cowell, Bridget Blessie and Cluck each had three shots for Missouri Western.

SEMIFINAL MATCH SET
After hosting a postseason game for the first time in program history, the Griffons will now make their first MIAA Championship semifinal appearance. Missouri Western, the two-seed, will play sixth-seeded Washburn, Friday night at 7 in Warrensburg, Missouri. Washburn knocked off third-seeded Northeastern State, 1-0, on the road Friday night. The Griffons shut out Washburn with one goal on Oct. 20 in Topeka, Kansas.

— MWSU Athletics —

Coaches pick Mizzou third in preseason SEC women’s basketball poll

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COLUMBIA, Mo. – Mizzou Women’s Basketball was selected to finish third in the Southeastern Conference in a vote of the league’s coaches, announced Wednesday. Mizzou was also tabbed to place third in the SEC in the preseason media poll on Oct. 16 and once again trails only the two teams that reached the 2017 National Championship game, South Carolina and Mississippi State, in the Coaches Poll.

Third is the Tigers’ highest predicted finish since joining the SEC. Mizzou is ranked No. 16 nationally in the USA Today Coaches Preseason Top 25. That is the highest Mizzou has ever been ranked in the Coaches Poll specifically.

A trio of Tigers, junior Sophie Cunningham (Columbia, Mo.), junior Cierra Porter (Columbia, Mo.) and redshirt senior Jordan Frericks (Quincy, Ill.), earned Preseason All-SEC recognition from the league’s coaches.

Cunningham was named Preseason First Team All-SEC for the second consecutive campaign. In 2016-17, Cunningham averaged a team-best 17.5 points per game, 5.3 rebounds per game and 3.4 assists per contest. She earned First Team All-SEC honors and received AP All-America Honorable Mention recognition after pouring in 19.1 points per game during league play and reaching double figures in 26 of 31 games. Cunningham has 989 career points heading into her junior season, the second-most by any Tiger through two campaigns in program history.

Porter and Frericks were both named Preseason Second Team All-SEC. This is the first time Porter has received Preseason All-SEC honors. The 6-foot-4 junior is coming off a stellar sophomore campaign in which she started all 33 games, reaching double figures 26 times and racking up a team-best 12 double-doubles. Porter topped the SEC in total free throws made with 141 and shot a blistering 86.8 percent from the charity stripe. She also led the Tigers in rebounds (266), rebounds per game (8.1) and blocked shots (1.4) a season ago.

Frericks, a 2016 Second Team All-SEC honoree, returns to the court after being sidelined during the 2016-17 campaign with a knee injury. Entering her final season at Mizzou, Frericks has already put together an outstanding career with 1,057 career points, 789 career rebounds and 139 career assists and counting. The redshirt senior has 23 career double-doubles. She averaged 12.1 points, a team-high 7.7 rebounds, 1.4 assists and 1.2 steals as a junior in 2015-16, shooting 55.6 percent from the field.

As a team, Mizzou is coming off back-to-back 22-win seasons and victories in consecutive NCAA Tournament appearances for the first time in program history. The Tigers finished tied for third in the SEC last season, their highest conference finish since 1990. Mizzou went 15-1 at home in 2016-17 and the Tigers are 31-4 at Mizzou Arena since Feb. 5, 2015.

Mizzou opens up exhibition play Thursday against Southwest Baptist at 7 p.m. at Mizzou Arena. Admission is free. The Tigers begin the season Nov. 10 at the Hawkeye Challenge vs. Western Kentucky. The regular season home opener is set for Nov. 16 vs. Wright State.

For all the latest on Mizzou’s Women’s Basketball, follow the team on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram @MizzouWBB and stay tuned to MUTigers.com.

Preseason Coaches’ Predictions
Order of Finish
1. South Carolina
2. Mississippi State
3. Missouri
4. Texas A&M
5. Tennessee
6. Kentucky
7. LSU
8. Georgia
9. Alabama
10. Vanderbilt
11. Auburn
12. Ole Miss
13. Florida
14. Arkansas

Player of the Year
A’ja Wilson, South Carolina

First Team All-SEC
Raigyne Louis, LSU
Victoria Vivians, Mississippi State
Morgan William, Mississippi State
Sophie Cunningham, Missouri
A’ja Wilson, South Carolina
Jaime Nared, Tennessee
Mercedes Russell, Tennessee
Khaalia Hillsman, Texas A&M

Second Team All-SEC
Caliya Robinson, Georgia
Taylor Murray, Kentucky
Shandricka Sessom, Ole Miss
Teaira McCowan, Mississippi State
Cierra Porter, Missouri
Jordan Frericks, Missouri
Tyasha Harris, South Carolina
Anriel Howard, Texas A&M
Danni Williams, Texas A&M

— Mizzou Athletics —

Ten Griffons earn All-MIAA soccer honors

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KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Honors began rolling in, Wednesday, for the record-breaking 2017 Missouri Western soccer team.

A record, 10 Griffons were named All-MIAA with three first team selections. Every Griffon with more than 11 starts this season picked up an All-MIAA honor.

Cassidy Menke was named first team for the second year in a row after leading the MIAA with 14 goals this season. Joining Menke on the first team were defender Bridget Blessie and midfielder Madeline Cowell. Blessie picked up her second All-MIAA honor after being named to the third team in 2015. Cowell’s first team selection this year was the first All-MIAA distinction for the junior.

Three Griffons were named to the second team, including goalkeeper Sarah Lyle, defender Sarah Blakley and forward Sydney Cluck. For Lyle, it was the third second team selection in her career (2014 & 15). Blakley became a first time All-MIAA selection as did Cluck.

Midfielder Megan Maenner was named to the third team, the first All-MIAA honor for the junior.

The rest of Missouri Western’s starting back line all picked up honorable mention honors. Bailey Ketcham became a first time All-MIAA honoree while Paige Phipps picked up her third honorable mention nod (2014 & 16) as did Ashlyn Powers (2015 & 16).

Missouri Western finished the regular season 15-2 and tied for second in the MIAA standings, earning the No. 2 seed in this week’s MIAA Championshps by way of a win over Northeastern State. The Griffons, who were picked sixth in the MIAA Preseason Coaches Poll, host Central Oklahoma on Wednesday in the first round of the conference’s postseason tournament.

2017 All-MIAA Women’s Soccer Team
Offensive Player of the Year
Jada Scott, F, Central Missouri

Defensive Player of the Year
Kayla Hamner, D, Central Missouri

Goalkeeper of the Year
Anna Dilkes, GK, Central Missouri

Freshman of the Year
Paulina Chavez, F, Northeastern State

Coach of the Year
Lewis Theobald, Central Missouri

First Team
GK: Anna Dilkes, Sr., Central Missouri**%@
D: Bridget Blessie, Sr., Missouri Western
D: Rebecca Gleason, Sr., Northeastern State
D: Kayla Hamner, Sr., Central Missouri**%
MF: Madeline Cowell, Jr., Missouri Western
MF: Kelsie Eason, Fr., Central Oklahoma
MF: Baylie Edwards, Sr., Central Missouri**
MF: Eden Stoddard, Sr., Fort Hays State
MF: Megan Woolley, Sr., Central Missouri%@
F: Paulina Chavez, Fr., Northeastern State
F: Cassidy Menke, Jr., Missouri Western%
F: Abby Rhodes, Sr., Central Missouri**@
F: Jada Scott, Jr., Central Missouri%@
Results reflect tie in voting
**=Unanimous Selection
%=2016 First Team Selection
@=2015 First Team Selection

Second Team
GK: Sarah Lyle, Sr., Missouri Western
D: Sarah Blakley, Sr., Missouri Western
D: Skylar Drum, Fr., Central Missouri
D: Courtney Killian, Jr., Central Missouri
D: Ronise Miller, Sr., Missouri Southern
D: Baylie Schmitz, Sr., Fort Hays State
MF: Melissa Giles, Sr., Northeastern State
MF: Becky Roberts, Sr., Lindenwood
MF: Izzy Romano, So., Northwest Missouri
F: Sydney Cluck, Sr., Missouri Western
F: Asha Haile, So., Central Oklahoma
F: Makayla Toth, Fr., Central Missouri

Third Team
GK: Kaitlin Minnich, Sr., Washburn
GK: Kristen Thompson, Sr., Fort Hays State
D: Leah Mettam, Fr., Emporia State
D: Madison Motil, So., Central Oklahoma
D: Rebecca Weimer, Sr., Washburn
MF: Jasmine Beaulieu, Sr., Fort Hays State
MF: Tara Benefiel, So., Emporia State
MF: Tera Lynch, Fr., Washburn
MF: Megan Maenner, Jr., Missouri Western
F: Katie Killion, Jr., Central Oklahoma
F: Mikayla Lowery, Sr., Central Oklahoma
F: Julia Mathis, Sr., Northeastern State

Honorable Mention
Central Oklahoma: Camille Greer, MF
Emporia State: Bethany Reeves, GK
Fort Hays State: Taryn Schnell, D
Lindenwood: Katie Juhlin, D; Alaina White, D
Missouri Western: Bailey Ketcham, D; Paige Phipps, D; Ashlyn Powers, D
Nebraska-Kearney: Kelsie Ienn, D; Marika Van Brocklin, D; Molly Willis, D; Kaitlyn Pawloski, MF; Tori Weber, MF
Northeastern State: Meg Smith, GK; Mariah Nicolet, F
Northwest Missouri: Annie Poelzl, D; Mollie Holtman, F
Southwest Baptist: Tessa Wagner, D; AC Pettit, MF; Raegan Edwards, F
Washburn: Mackenzie Heiman, D; Presley Wiggins, D; Olivia Grasso, MF; Ellie Karloff, F; Emily Stauffer, F; Paige Swanson, F

— MWSU Athletics —

Jayhawks ranked No. 4 in preseason AP men’s basketball poll

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LAWRENCE, Kan. – Receiving one first-place vote, the Kansas men’s basketball team is ranked No. 4 in the Associated Press (AP) Preseason Poll, the AP released Wednesday. Kansas has been ranked in each of the last 162 AP polls dating back to Feb. 3, 2009, which is the longest active streak in NCAA Division I.

The AP ranking marks the fifth consecutive year the Jayhawks have been preseason ranked fifth of higher and the third straight at No. 4 or higher. KU was No. 3 last season in the AP preseason poll, No. 4 in 2015-16 and No. 5 in 2014-15 and 2013-14. It is also the eighth time in the last nine seasons that the Jayhawks have entered the season No. 7 or higher by the AP.

Under 15th-year and Hall of Fame head coach Bill Self, this is the 12th time that Kansas enters the season ranked seventh or higher in the Associated Press preseason poll and historically, the No. 4 ranking marks the 20th time since the 1992-93 season that Kansas will enter the season seventh or higher.

Last season, KU entered the year No. 3 nationally in the Associated Press poll and ended at No. 3. The AP’s final poll is released prior to the NCAA Tournament. The Jayhawks have been ranked No. 8 or higher in each of the last 38 AP polls over the two seasons.

Kansas will play six regular-season games against teams ranked in the AP preseason poll: No. 5 Kentucky, No. 11 West Virginia (twice), No. 24 Baylor (twice) and No. 25 Texas A&M.

Kansas enters the 2017-18 season No. 3 in the preseason USA TODAY Coaches’ poll which was released Oct. 19.

Kansas concludes exhibition play when it hosts Fort Hays State Tuesday, Nov. 7 at 7 p.m. (Central) in Allen Fieldhouse. The game can be seen on the Jayhawk Television Network or ESPN3 outside the state of Kansas.

2017-18 Associated Press Preseason Poll (Nov. 1, 2017)
Rank. School (first place votes) – points
1. Duke (33) – 1572
2. Michigan St. (13) – 1520
3. Arizona (18) – 1506
4. KANSAS (1) – 1439
5. Kentucky – 1340
6. Villanova – 1284
7. Wichita St. – 1270
8. Florida – 1100
9. North Carolina – 1047
10. Southern Cal – 995
11. West Virginia – 840
12. Cincinnati – 837
13. Miami – 836
14. Notre Dame – 814
15. Minnesota – 642
16. Louisville – 570
17. Xavier – 544
18. Gonzaga – 500
19. Northwestern – 473
20. Purdue – 362
21. UCLA – 340
22. Saint Mary’s – 333
23. Seton Hall – 274
24. Baylor – 163
25. Texas A&M – 130

Others receiving votes: Alabama 86, Virginia 57, Rhode Island 49, TCU 46, Providence 34, Missouri 19, Virginia Tech 16, Wisconsin 14, Butler 13, Texas 10, Maryland 7, Oklahoma 7, Nevada 7, Michigan 6, Dayton 5, Middle Tennessee 4, Ball St. 4, SMU 3, Oakland 2, Oregon 2, South Carolina 1, Harvard 1, UCF 1.

— KU Athletics —

Defending champion Bearcats ranked No. 1 in preseason NABC Top 25 poll

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KANSAS CITY, Mo. – The Northwest Missouri State University men’s basketball team has been ranked first in the preseason National Association of Basketball Coaches (NABC) poll, released on Tuesday. The Bearcats, who went 35-1 last year and won the Division II National Championship, received 399 points and 15-of-16 first place votes. Northwest will face Lincoln Memorial, the poll’s No. 4 ranked team, on Tuesday, Dec. 19, in Owensboro, Ky. MIAA members Central Missouri and Wasburn each received votes.

The Bearcats begin the regular season on Friday, Nov. 10, against Upper Iowa in St. Joseph, Mo., at 1 p.m. The first home action for Northwest is on Friday, Nov. 17, against Metro State at 7 p.m. in Bearcat Arena.

— Northwest Athletics —

Griffons open MIAA soccer tournament Wednesday against Central Oklahoma

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ST. JOSEPH – Following the greatest regular season in program history, Griffon soccer will host a postseason game for the first time this Wednesday when Central Oklahoma visits for the first round of the MIAA Championships.

Missouri Western is the No. 2 seed in the conference postseason event while Central Oklahoma is the No. 7 seed. The Griffons defeated the Bronchos 3-0 in Edmond, Oklahoma on Oct. 13. It was Missouri Western’s first-ever win over Central Oklahoma. The Bronchos were picked second in the MIAA Preseason Coaches Poll while the Griffons were picked sixth.

FAN INFORMATION
Wednesday’s first round game will begin at 6 p.m. with gates opening at 5 p.m. Per MIAA policy, there will be a $5 admission fee for all fans over the age of six. Children six and under will be admitted free. Dave Riggert will broadcast the game live on ESPN 1550 in St. Joseph. Here is a link to the radio broadcast and the links for live stats and the live video broadcast can be found at GoGriffons.com.

The MIAA Championship semifinals and finals will be held Nov. 3 and 5th at the site of the highest remaining seed. The $5 admission fee will continue through those rounds. The MIAA Network will take over the video stream for those two rounds. Video streaming for the semifinals and finals will be pay-per-view.

RECORD BREAKING SEASON
A win Wednesday would be another program first in a season filled with broken records and first time occurrences for Griffon soccer. The team’s 15 wins are the most in program history as were the nine MIAA victories. In addition to the following season records that have been broken this year, members of the team also broke several individual career records.
MWSU Records Broken in 2017
Points – 128 (team), Cassidy Menke – 30
Points Per Game – 7.11 (team), Cassidy Menke – 1.67
Goals – 47 (team), Cassidy Menke – 14
Goals per Game – 2.61 (team), Cassidy Menke (0.78)
Game Winning Goals – 15
Assists – 34 (team), Sydney Cluck – 8, Madeline Cowell – 7
Assists Per Game – 1.89 (team), Sydney Cluck – 0.44, Madeline Cowell – 0.39
Shots – 334 (team), Cassidy Menke – 105
Shots on Goal – 166 (team), Cassidy Menke – 51
Save Percentage – .857 (team), Sarah Lyle – .850
Goals Against Average – 0.55 (team), Sarah Lyle – 0.60
Wins – 15 (team), Sarah Lyle – 13
Shutouts – 12

THE GRIFFONS
The Griffons outscored opponents 47-10 in the regular season, scoring the second most goals in the MIAA and allowing the second fewest. Saves per game (3.33) was the only major statistical category in which Missouri Western didn’t rank first or second in the MIAA. That was largely in part to the Griffons limiting opponents to the second fewest shots on goal (70) in the MIAA. Missouri Western’s 34 assists led the MIAA and ranked 21st in the nation while its 128 points were second in the MIAA and 17th in the nation. The Griffons shut out 12 opponents on the season, ranking second in the MIAA and eighth in the nation for shutout percentage.

Cassidy Menke finished the regular season leading the MIAA with 14 goals, which ranked 18th nationally. The junior finished second in the MIAA with 30 total points. Sydney Cluck’s eight assists ranked second in the MIAA and 19th nationally while her 22 points ranked fourth in the conference. Madeline Cowell finished third in the MIAA with seven assists. Bridget Blessie’s four game winning goals were second most in the MIAA. Sarah Lyle ranked second in the MIAA with an .850 save percentage, going 13-3 as the starting goalkeeper with three complete shutouts and seven assisted.

THE BRONCHOS
Central Oklahoma dropped its final two regular season games to drop to the No. 7 seed in the postseason tournament. A perennial MIAA power, 19 current Bronchos were a part of the 2016 team that went 15-7-1, advanced to the MIAA postseason championship game and won a first round game in the NCAA Division II Central Region tournament.

UCO scored 42 goals in the regular season (3rd in the MIAA) while allowing 31 (4th most in the MIAA). Asha Hallie and Kelsie Eason each scored eight goals to lead the Bronchos this season. Mikayla Lowery and Morgan Cherry each scored five goals. Lowery’s four assists led the team. Ally Salls started 10 regular season games for UCO, going 6-4 with a 1.38 goals against average, one complete shutout and another shared. Kaitlyn Asher went 1-5 in goal for the Bronchos with a 1.99 goals against average and one complete shutout.

LOOKING AHEAD
A win Wednesday would put the Griffons into the MIAA Championship semifinals. They would play the winner of the No. 3 Northeastern State versus No. 6 Washburn game on Friday, Nov. 3. The semifinals and finals will be hosted by the highest remaining seed after Wednesday’s first round. A loss Wednesday means the Griffons will have a long wait to determine if their season continues. The NCAA selection show is set for Monday, Nov. 6 at 5 p.m.

— MWSU Athletics —

KU cruises to exhibition win over Pittsburg State 100-54

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LAWRENCE, Kan. – Five Jayhawks chipped in double-figure scoring efforts as No. 3 Kansas dispatched of the Pittsburg State Gorillas 100-54 Tuesday night inside Allen Fieldhouse. Redshirt sophomore guard Malik Newman led all scorers with 19 points on 7-of-10 shooting to treat the 16,300 fans in attendance to an exhibition win on Halloween night.

The win marked the second exhibition victory of the 2017-18 season for Kansas as it preps for its regular-season opener on Nov. 10. KU dispatched of Missouri in the Showdown for Relief on Oct. 22 and will play one more friendly when the Fort Hays State Tigers come to Lawrence on Tuesday, Nov. 7.

Kansas got out to quick starts in both halves, outscoring the visitors by a tally of 53-11 in the opening eight minutes of each stanza.

Billy Preston got the Allen Fieldhouse crowd on its feet less than five minutes into the game with a fastbreak one-handed jam. That dunk, paired with a trio of three-pointers from Devonte’ Graham, Lagerald Vick and Sviatoslav Mykhailiuk KU’s next three possessions capped a 22-0 Jayhawk run that put KU ahead 26-3 less than seven minutes into the game.

Newman then took the offensive reins, scoring seven of the Jayhawks’ next 10 points with the help of a jumper, a pair of three pointers and his first of three 3-pointers on the night.

Kansas stretched its first-half lead to 30 points when Vick flew through the air for a put-back dunk to give his team a 40-10 edge with 8:26 left before the break.

The KU offense hit a lull over the final stages of the first half, converting on just three field goals in the last eight minutes. Pitt State took advantage, cutting into the KU lead with the help from an 18-7 run over the next seven minutes. That stretch shaved a 40-point Jayhawk lead to a 58-23 KU advantage at halftime.

Much like the first half, the Jayhawks kicked off the second half on a surge, using a 16-0 run to once again put some more distance between themselves and the Gorillas. KU took a 69-31 lead into the first timeout of the second stanza with KU big men Udoka Azubuike and Preston taking control in the paint and netting nine Jayhawk points right out of the locker room.

The Kansas defense also tightened its grip on PSU and allowed just four Gorilla field goals over the final 9:39 of the game. KU used that stretch to once again build its lead to 52 points when senior Clay Young drive through the lane for a lay-up to put his team up 96-44 with five minutes remaining.

The Jayhawks cruised from there, surpassing the century mark and notching the exhibition win, 100-54. The margin of victory was KU’s largest in exhibition play since July 7, 2015, when the Jayhawks downed Chile, 106-41, in group play of the World University Games in Gwanju, South Korea.

Newman led all scorers with 19 points, shooting 70 percent from the field and connecting on 3-of-5 from the 3-point line. Mykhailiuk added 17 points while Azubuike and Vick both tallied double-doubles, Azubuike scoring 17 points and 14 rebounds and Vick tallying 15 points and 11 boards. Preston rounded out the Jayhawks who scored in double figures after the freshman connected on 10 points with a perfect 5-of-5 clip from the field in just eight minutes of action.

UP NEXT
Kansas will conclude exhibition play on Tuesday, Nov. 7, when it hosts Fort Hays State at 7 p.m., in Allen Fieldhouse. That contest will be televised on Jayhawk TV. The Jayhawks will open regular-season play when they host Tennessee State on Friday, Nov. 10, at 7 p.m. on ESPNU.

— KU Athletics —

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