By Jim Henry

jhenry@joplinglobe.com

Maryann Mitts is anxious as her Missouri Southern women’s basketball team starts the season.

“I’m anxious to see our style of play,” she said. “I’m anxious to see if we can cut down our self-inflicting wounds we had in our exhibition game. I’m anxious to see how balanced we are as a team, especially on the offensive end. I’m anxious to see what playeers are gong to step up.”

The Lions begin play against Southwestern College of Winfield, Kan., tonight in the opening game of the Pittsburg State Classic at John Lance Arena. Tipoff has been moved back to 6.

Pittsburg State plays Paul Quinn (Texas) in the second game. The Lions and Gorillas switch opponents for Sunday’s session, which starts at 1 p.m.

Unlike the Lions and Gorillas, the NAIA schools Southwestern and Paul Quinn have opened their season. Southwestern, No. 22 in the NAIA Division II preseason poll, is 3-0 and averaging 85.3 points per game. After a 110-33 blowout over Hillsdale Baptist, Southwestern beat Central Methodist 71-67 and Peru State (Neb.) 75-60.

Paul Quinn is off to a 1-2 start.

The Lions defeated Livin’ The Dream 77-65 last Friday night.

A balanced scoring attack saw four players reach double figures — veterans India Wood (18) and Lindsey Davis (11) and newcomers Michelle Hedgecock (16) and Myosha Barnes (13). The Lions shot 41 percent, but their self-inflicting wounds included 18 turnovers and eight missed free throws.

The Lions had only three steals, and Mitts wants the defense to create more offense.

“Our offense is dictating our defense right now, and it needs to be the opposite,” she said. “If we score, we’ll go down to the other end and play great defense. If we don’t score, we’ll give up an easy shot.

“Really it has to be the reverse. We need our defensive intensity to create offensive opportunities. We have to get stops, come down and score. We’ll see if that happens this weekend.”

Freshman guard Tessa Porter, slowed by a foot injury, and senior guard Tia Evenson, who has been sick part of this week, are questionable for this weekend, Mitts said.

“It’s time to play,” Mitts said. “You can only practice for so long before you need to get on the floor a couple of games a week and see where you are as a basketball team.”