By Jim Henry

jhenry@joplinglobe.com

Danielle DeVader is off to a fast start in her final season at Missouri Southern.

DeVader came within one rebound of registering back-to-back double-doubles in last weekend’s Pittsburg State Classic, collecting 14 points and 13 rebounds against Southwestern (Kan.) and 13 points and nine boards against Paul Quinn (Texas).

DeVader hit 9 of 16 shots from the floor, including 6 of 12 from 3-point range.

“I was just ready to go, said DeVader, 5-foot-9 guard from Holton, Kan. “I’m a fifth-year senior ... I’ve been here the longest so I need to be ready to step up and hit shots.

“I’ll be honest with you. I just stood there, they threw it to me and I shot it. I didn’t do any of the work besides shooting it. Everyone else who sets screens and the dribble-drive penetrations, the 3-point shooters just stand out there and kind of take it in.”

“Both days she played extremely well,” Lions head coach Maryann Mitts said. “It’s the poise, it’s the competitiveness, it’s the do-whatever-it-takes attitude that she has.

“I thought (the first game) Danielle played one of her best games of her career, and it was great to see her consistent again (in the second game). That shows positive signs for her.”

After cruising to victories over the NAIA schools, the Lions’ level of competition moves up drastically in today’s home opener. The Lions battle Northeastern State (Okla.) at 1 p.m. at the Leggett & Platt Athletic Center.

“The NSU game is coming at a perfect time,” Mitts said. “We have two games under our belt. We did exactly what we were supposed to do last weekend. I was really unsure about where we were as a basketball team before last weekend, but after those two games, we know we have to correct some things, and we’re going to build on all the positives.”

A young Northeastern State team lost its first two games 77-64 to Southwest Baptist and 75-65 at Drury before beating St. Mary’s 76-54 earlier this week.

Jasmine Webb, 5-11 sophomore, leads NSU at 17.3 points and 8.0 rebounds per game, and 5-8 freshman Alix Perkins adds 12.3 points.

The Lions displayed balanced scoring last weekend as five players averaged in double figures.

Michelle Hedgecock, 5-10 freshman forward, averaged 14.0, just ahead of DeVader’s 13.5. India Wood, 5-7 senior guard, is next at 12.0, followed by 5-8 junior guard Jolea Apon at 11.0 and 6-0 senior forward Nichole Helfrich at 10.0.