Sports – Page 686 – St. Joseph Post Archive

Griffons overcome 15-point second half deficit to defeat Lincoln in OT

Posted on January 30, 2015January 30, 2015

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – For the third straight time on the road in MIAA play, the Missouri Western men’s basketball team overcame a double-digit second half deficit to win with a 79-72 victory at Lincoln Thursday night. Not only was it the Griffons third straight come from behind win on the road, but it’s the first time since 2003 the Griffons have won three straight over MIAA opponents on the road.

Missouri Western nearly pulled off the comeback in regulation but Lincoln forced overtime on a Joshua Buie layup with just two seconds left in the game. Missouri Western took their first lead since 10 minutes into the game on Dareon Jones’ layup with 27 seconds left in regulation. Jones’ go-ahead bucket capped a 26-12 run that erased a 15-point Lincoln lead with 9:31 to go. Jones had 11 in that run including a three to pull the team within one. Jones finished with a career-high 20 points to lead the team along with Cortrez Colbert.

The Griffons controlled the overtime period, jumping out to a nine point lead with a 9-2 run to open the extra frame. The win moved MWSU to 9-9 on the season, 5-6 in the MIAA, and handed Lincoln their 10th straight loss.

Kevin Thomas scored 12 with eight rebounds to lead the team on the glass with Colbert’s eight. Aaron Emmanuel finished with 10 points and six rebounds. Jones added seven rebounds. The Griffons finished 42 percent from the field. After having 11 turnovers in the first half, MWSU finished with 15 for the game.

If Missouri Western is to extend its recent success on the road, they’ll have to do it against one of the MIAA’s top teams when they travel to St. Charles Saturday to take on Lindenwood.

— MWSU Sports Information —

No. 7 Ravens rally past Peru for 10th consecutive win

Posted on January 30, 2015January 30, 2015

PERU, Neb. – After trailing at the half, the No. 7-ranked Benedictine men’s basketball team scored 38 second-half points en route to a come-from-behind win over Peru State College on Thursday to split the regular-season match up with the Bobcats.

Leading by two points with five seconds remaining, John Harris Jr., went to the line for Benedictine (19-3, 8-2 Heart) and converted two free throws to push the Ravens ahead of Peru State (12-9, 5-5 Heart) by four points – which proved to be the final margin as a last-second attempt by the Bobcats fell short handing Benedictine the 63-59 win.

The difference in the first half proved to come at the free throw line as neither team was able to pull ahead by more than two possessions.

The first half alone played through five ties and seven lead changes before Peru State took a 26-25 lead into halftime.

The Bobcats went 6 of 6 at the charity stripe in the first half while the Ravens connected on 4 of 6.

Benedictine held Peru State scoreless for nearly four minutes to start the second half, which allowed the Ravens to erase their halftime deficit and push ahead by six points, 34-28.

The Ravens continued push their lead, eventually pulling ahead by 10 points on three occasions before the Bobcats used a 7-0 run to pull within three points with just under eight minutes left in the game.

After back-to-back baskets from Connor Fleming and Brett Fisher, the Ravens pushed their lead back to eight points only to have Peru State answer to pull back within a possession setting up a tightly-contested stretch run for both teams.

Jallen Messersmith led the Ravens with 20 points, setting a new career high by five points. Fleming finished with 10 points while Jonathan Anaekwe added 10 points.

Benedictine hosts Avila University at 4 p.m. Saturday inside the Ralph Nolan Gymnasium. The Ravens took the first meeting over the Eagles in Kansas City, Mo., back on Dec. 6, 59-52.

— BC Sports Information —

Missouri falls at home to No. 1 Kentucky 69-53

Posted on January 30, 2015

COLUMBIA, Mo. (AP) — The way his team rolled over Missouri when they met a couple of weeks ago, Kentucky coach John Calipari anticipated the Tigers throwing a few haymakers in the rematch.

They wound up playing so physical that three Tigers fouled out.

The top-ranked Wildcats took advantage of their parade to the foul line, racking up free points during a decisive second-half run that gave them a 69-53 victory Thursday night.

“It’s going to be like you saw today. We just have to play through the physical play,” said Calipari, whose team waxed the Tigers by 49 points on Jan. 13. “You don’t beat somebody like we did there and — they came back and played like I would have expected them to play.”

In other words, a whole lot better. But still not good enough.

Andrew Harrison had 15 points and twin brother Aaron Harrison had 11 for the Wildcats, who improved to 20-0 for the third time in school history. They are just five wins away from matching the record start achieved by Adolph Rupp’s team in 1953-54.

As usual, Kentucky (7-0 SEC) won with defense. Missouri turned the ball over 15 times and shot just 38 percent from the field in the second half, when the game was largely decided.

“We beat them pretty bad last time,” Andrew Harrison said, “but we know they’re a better team than they played at Rupp (Arena), so we had to come in and play as hard as we could.”

Wes Clark scored 19 points for the Tigers (7-13, 1-6), who have lost six straight for the first time since 2006. Johnathan Williams III added 10 points and five rebounds.

Five players fouled out in the mucky game, resulting in a combined 57 free throws.

“I’m not happy losing, but we played a lot better,” Tigers coach Kim Anderson said. “All I can ask is these guys keep fighting, and that’s what they do, that’s what they’ve done. And it’s not always pretty, but they didn’t quit. They kept fighting.”

The Tigers looked game for most of the first half Thursday night.

Milking the clock with crisp ball movement, Missouri was able to crack Kentucky’s long and lean front line for easy baskets. Keanau Post started it with a rim-rattling dunk a few minutes in, and a pair of dunks by Ryan Rosburg had the fans in Mizzou Arena on their feet. Another dunk by Jakeenan Gant late in the half allowed the Tigers to close within 32-25.

The Wildcats struggled some more early in the second half, throwing up a series of ugly jumpers and missing a couple of shots at the rim. Missouri struggled to take advantage but did close within 38-32 on Clark’s basket with 14:25 to go.

Foul trouble began to set in, though, with Namon Wright and Montaque Gill-Caesar each picking up a fourth with more than 15 minutes left in the game. The Wildcats, with more quality depth, were able to capitalize on their absences and put together a 10-2 run to gain control.

The Harrison twins led the way. Aaron knocked down a jumper, and after Andrew did the same, he proceeded to the foul line on the next four trips down the floor.

Wright fouled out with 8:52 to go. Gill-Caesar joined him less than a minute later. And by the time the Wildcats had hit those free throws, their lead had swelled to 56-36.

The Wildcats cruised from there, running their overall record against Missouri to 8-0.

“We lost by 50 there; we only lost by 16 tonight,” Clark said, shaking his head. “Better effort, but we still got beat.”

THROWBACK GAME

Kentucky hit only two 3-pointers, one each from Aaron Harrison and Dominique Hawkins. The Tigers hit only four from the arc, three of those from Clark. The majority of the game was played in the paint, where the teams combined for 48 points.

BLOCK PARTY

The Wildcats were tops nationally with 155 blocks coming in. Karl-Anthony Towns had the only swat for the smaller Tigers on Thursday night.

TIP-INS

Kentucky: Devin Booker had nine points against father Melvin’s alma mater. He was booed every time he touched the ball. … Towns and Marcus Lee fouled out for the Wildcats.

Missouri: Post also fouled out for the Tigers. … Missouri fell to 4-18 against No. 1-ranked teams. Its last victory came against former rival Kansas in 1997.

UP NEXT

Kentucky: Returns to Rupp Arena to face Alabama on Saturday.

Missouri: Wraps a three-game homestand against Ole Miss on Saturday.

— Associated Press —

Western women blow 13-point second half lead and lose at Lincoln

Posted on January 30, 2015January 30, 2015

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – A dominant final eight minutes by Lincoln turned the tide on the Missouri Western women’s basketball team as the Griffons suffered their 17th-straight road loss, 76-72 in Jefferson City Thursday night.

The Griffons led by 13 with 8:51 to go but Lincoln grabbed the lead with 1:47 left on the heels of a 21-5 run. During that run, Miliakere Koyamainavure, Sarafina Handy and LaQuinta Jefferson all fouled out for the Griffons with 10, 17 and 18 points respectively. Despite the run, and missing three of their top scorers, the Griffons had a chance to take the lead with three seconds remaining but Anna Rogers missed a three-point attempt and Kelsey Williams made two free throws to cap-off the comeback.

It was the team’s first loss of the season when at least three players scored 10 or more points. On top of double-digit nights from Jefferson, Koyamainavure and Handy, Ariana Novak scored 11 points. Jefferson led the Griffons on the glass with eight rebounds. Missouri Western had 19 turnovers, 14 in the second half, to 12 assists and forced 15 Lincoln turnovers. The Griffons stayed close on the glass, finishing with 30 rebounds to 31 for the Blue Tigers. MWSU finished shooting 49 percent from the field and 42 percent from three-point range and 70.6 percent at the free throw line.

The loss dropped MWSU to 8-9 on the year, 3-8 in MIAA play. Missouri Western will have another chance to break the road losing streak Saturday when they travel to St. Charles to take on Lindenwood.

— MWSU Sports Information —

Ziesel leads No. 25 Benedictine women past Peru State

Posted on January 30, 2015

The No. 25-ranked Benedictine women’s basketball team led wire-to-wire on Thursday night to earn the regular-season sweep over home-standing Peru State College.

Benedictine (16-6, 9-1 Heart) used a 54.5 percent shooting effort in the second half to hold off a late push by Peru State (6-14, 2-8 Heart) to earn a 66-58 win.

Jackie Ziesel outscored Peru State 5-2 over the first three minutes of the game before the Bobcats pulled even at 5-all.

That tie proved to be the only one of the game as the Ravens quickly regained the lead and never looked back.

By halftime, Benedictine led 34-32.

The Ravens opened the second half outscoring the Bobcats 15-6 over the first seven minute of the half to break the game open.

They pushed ahead by as much as 17 points when Jordan Kramer drained a 3-pointer with just over eight minutes remaining.

Peru State cut Benedictine’s lead down to single digits three four times over the final four minutes of the game but couldn’t get any closer than eight points.

Ziesel paced the Ravens with 16 points while Kramer finished with 12 points.

Benedictine’s bench outscored Peru State’s 27-12 anchored by the 13-point effort of Kristen Murphy.

The Ravens return home Saturday to host a 2 p.m. game against Avila University. Benedictine took the first game of the season over Avila back on Dec. 6, 55-44, in Kansas City, Mo.

— BC Sports Information —

Missouri AD Mike Alden to step down

Posted on January 29, 2015January 30, 2015

COLUMBIA, Mo. (AP) — Missouri athletic director Mike Alden is stepping down after a 17-year tenure marked by several high-profile coaching hires and the school’s move from the Big 12 Conference to the SEC.

Alden plans to leave in August but will remain at Mizzou as an instructor in its education school and an administrator in a new global service-learning program. The school announced the move on Thursday and plans a Friday news conference.

The Illinois native hired little-known Toledo football coach Gary Pinkel in 2000. Pinkel has since become the school’s winningest football coach and led Missouri to two consecutive East Division titles in the Southeastern Conference.

He had less success with men’s basketball, hiring four head coaches since Norm Stewart’s contentious retirement early in Alden’s tenure.

Wichita State baseball program fined, placed on NCAA probation

Posted on January 29, 2015

DAVE SKRETTA, AP Sports Writer

KANSAS CITY, Kan. (AP) — Wichita State’s baseball program was placed on probation Thursday after the NCAA found that the Shockers used 21 players who received impermissible benefits over a two-year period.

The school self-reported the violations last year, likely resulting in lighter sanctions. Still, the NCAA decided that Wichita State’s storied program would need to vacate all wins from 2011-13 — including its 2013 NCAA tournament appearance — and pay a $5,000 fine.

Shortly after he was hired in June 2013, Shockers coach Todd Butler discovered that players had purchased more than $7,000 in apparel at a substantial discount.

The incidents occurred under the watch of former coach Gene Stephenson, who was fired in June 2013 after 36 seasons. The wins will be stricken from his record.

Royals bobbleheads to depict signature playoff moments

Posted on January 29, 2015January 29, 2015

The Kansas City Royals bring some of the fun back to fans, as they release new bobbleheads of the team.

According to Sports Illustrated, the team will give away four commemorative bobbleheads that will take fans back to the team’s amazing run to the World Series in 2014. The bobbleheads will depict players recreating the signature moments of last season’s playoffs, rather than the traditional poses.

There’s that diving catch from outfielder Lorenzo Cain. There’s Mike Moustakas diving into the dugout for a catch from the ALCS last season. Salvador Perez celebrates the game-winning hit in the Wild Card game. Yordano Ventura gets a nod, as it were, pitching off the mound in the playoffs.

Bearcats snap Lindenwood’s eight-game win streak

Posted on January 28, 2015

MARYVILLE, Mo. -The Northwest Missouri State men’s basketball team entered Wednesday night’s game at Bearcat Arena against Lindenwood needing a win.

But the Bearcats faced a difficult task trying to break a modest two-game losing streak. They were facing the first place team in the MIAA and were playing without freshman point guard Justin Pitts, who missed his second straight game because of an ankle injury.

Overcoming adversity in a season builds character. The 2014-15 Bearcats proved once again that they have plenty of it. Northwest picked up a much-needed victory, beating Lindenwood 74-61.

“It was really important,” Grant Cozad said of the win. “We were on a two-game losing streak. To be home with the home crowd helped us. To get that monkey off our backs and get our confidence back is big to go on the road to Lincoln.”

Northwest improved to 14-5 overall and 7-4 in the MIAA, and Lindenwood dropped to 8-3 and 13-7.

“We wanted to play with emotion from the start and I think we did,” Cozad said. “Playing the number one team in conference definitely helps. It brings out the fire in you.”

Going without Pitts, who leads the Bearcats in scoring with a 16.1 points per game average, Northwest needed contributions from everybody. The Bearcats got it.

Cozad, a 6-foot-8 senior center, played a man’s game in the paint against Lindenwood’s 6-9 center Sam Mader. Cozad finished with 22, hard-earned points.

“I started off a little slow, trying to get the feel for it,” said Cozad, who had nine rebounds. “I kind of stepped up there and took it to them. I was ready for it. I had a couple of bad games leading up to this one. I needed to have a good one. I felt like I did. I played physical with him down low. I had fun. I like it physical. It was a fun game.”

Sophomore wing man Zach Schneider made sure the inside didn’t get clogged up by drilling seven three-pointers and finishing with 21 points.

“I could feel it in warm ups,” Schneider said. “I knew it was going to be a good game. I knew I was going to get open looks tonight.”

And junior Lyle Harris, filling in for Pitts, played a steady game at point, making several nice passes to Cozad and doing a great job driving to the basket for layups. Harris finished with a career-high 15 points.

“I just got to do my job,” Harris said. “Basically, that is it. I have to make sure my teammates believe in me and I believe in them.”

Most impressively, Northwest maintained a double-digit lead throughout the second half.

A basket by Harris to start the second half, gave Northwest a 41-27 lead. The Bearcats’ advantage eventually grew to 50-32.

Lindenwood fought back, but needed a lot of time to close to 60-51 on a three-pointer by Darris Smith with about 6 minutes left.

Northwest quickly responded with a basket in the paint from Cozad and a three-pointer by Schneider with 4:32 left pushed the Bearcats’ lead to 65-51. Lindenwood never threatened again.

“Coming off those two losses, we got back to work,” Schneider said. “We had tough practices. This was our biggest rebounding margin this year, 32-18. That is the stat that sticks out to me.”

In the first 5 minutes of the game there were eight lead changes. The final one, a three-pointer by Harris propelled Northwest to a 10-8 lead that quickly grew to 15-10 thanks to a three-pointer by Schneider.

Northwest, particularly Schneider, remained hot from behind the arc and went into halftime with a 39-27 lead.

Schneider was on fire in the first half. He knocked down five three-pointers in eight attempts for 15 points.

The Bearcats also played strong inside behind Cozad and freshman Brett Dougherty. Cozad scored 10 points, going 4 for 5 from the field. Dougherty added five, including a three-point play that staked Northwest to an 18-12 lead.

From start to finish, Northwest proved it could play winning basketball while dealing with injuries.

“We have four injuries right now,” Schneider said. “We knew we were going to play a tight rotation with seven guys. Lyle stepped up big time and everyone else did, also. Anthony Woods and Brett gave us big minutes, too so it was good.”

— David Boyce, Northwest Athletics —

No. 9 Kansas holds on for 64-61 win at TCU

Posted on January 28, 2015

FORT WORTH, Texas (AP) — Frank Mason III scored 16 points with a couple of key shots in the go-ahead run and No. 9 Kansas held on for a 64-61 victory at TCU after his missed free throws Wednesday night.

The Big 12-leading Jayhawks (17-3, 6-1 Big 12), who had as much as a 13-point lead early, found themselves down after TCU scored the first seven points after halftime.

Mason’s driving layup with 13:26 left got the Jayhawks within 43-42 and started a 12-0 run that put them ahead to stay.

But a layup by Mason with 3:35 left was their last field goal. He then missed two free throws with 4.7 seconds left to leave TCU (14-6, 1-6) a chance to force overtime.

A long 3-point try by Charles Hill Jr. ricocheted off the back rim at the buzzer.

Kyan Anderson had 17 points for TCU, while Kenrich Williams had 13 points. Trey Zeigler had 12 points and 11 rebounds while Chris Washburn had 12 rebounds.

TCU, looking for another memorable victory over the top-10 Jayhawks, was within 59-57 on Zeigler’s three-point play with 37 seconds left. He grabbed a rebound of his own miss and made the putback while being fouled.

Kansas had gone almost three minutes without a score before Brannen Greene made five free throws in the closing stretch.

Two years ago, the Horned Frogs got their first-ever Big 12 victory when they lead throughout in a 62-55 win over then-No. 5 Kansas team. That gave the Jayhawks their consecutive losses for the first time in more than seven years.

TCU was ahead 37-36 when Anderson grabbed the rebound of his missed 3-pointer and was still open to hit a jumper to wrap up the spurt in the first 2 minutes after halftime.

That followed a 3-pointer by Anderson, which was TCU’s third shot of that possession. The Frogs started the half with Washburn surrounded by three defenders when he passed over them to Zeigler for a layup.

TIP-INS

Kansas: Leading scorer Perry Ellis scored the Jayhawks first five points, but also had two fouls in the first 76 seconds of the game, and didn’t play again until the second half.

TCU: The Horned Frogs, who were 13-0 in non-conference play, have already had two overtime losses in Big 12 play. They were coming off a loss at West Virginia on Saturday.

UP NEXT:

Kansas is home against Kansas State.

TCU plays Saturday at No. 15 Iowa State.

— Associated Press —