From staff reports
sports@joplinglobe.com
ST. JOSEPH, Mo. — Guard Yanique Javois and center Jill Johnson — two seniors playing in their final home game — combined for 45 points to fuel Missouri Western past Missouri Southern 70-58 Saturday night at the MWSU Fieldhouse.
Despite the loss, the Lions (18-9, 9-9 MIAA) will be the fourth seed in the MIAA Postseason Tournament because Northwest Missouri State lost at Fort Hays State.
The Lions and Bearcats meet in a first-round game at 2:15 p.m. Thursday at Municipal Auditorium in Kansas City, Mo.
The Griffons (12-14, 7-11) needed the victory to make the tournament. Javois led the way with 26 points, hitting 10-of-14 shots form the floor, and Johnson contributed 19.
“Their seniors played great in a pressure game,” Lions head coach Maryann Mitts said. “They hit the majority of their shots. They didn’t look like they were afraid to get a win tonight. They were determined.”
The Lions got off to a good start, opening a 22-15 lead with 7:44 remaining in the first half. But during the next five minutes, the Griffons ran off 14 unanswered points and never relinquished the lead.
“Turnovers (26) really hurt us,” Mitts said. “We got into early foul trouble. Those are the two biggest things that hurt you on the road. We got into foul trouble on the post, and India (Wood, point guard) picked up two quick fouls.”
Wood paced the Lions with 15 points, and Fatai Hala’Api’Api added 10. Tynesha Pierce collected eight opints, nine rebounds and six steals in 25 minutes.
Sports
March 1, 2008
Seniors spark Griffons past MSSU women
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Outlaws open season Thursday on the road
Chris Oldner takes a cut during the Joplin Outlaws practice Tuesday afternoon. The Outlaws open their season on Thursday night at Rossville and play seven road games before their home opener on June 5.
The Joplin Outlaws and new coach Rob Vessell have set some lofty goals for the 2012 baseball season.
Continued ... - Stanton’s homers fuel Marlins’ surge in May
- Five sign to join Missouri Southern women's track team
- Whisner ignites Joplin Miners past Webb City
- Venus Williams joins Serena on sideline in Paris
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- Pittsburg State Sports
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- Vengels sixth in heptathlon; PSU picks up two seventh-place finishes
- Ethan Cordray signs with Pittsburg State
- Lions, Gorillas begin competition in outdoor track and field championship
- Three finalists named for PSU head baseball coach position
- Lions qualify 10, PSU 15 for Division II outdoor track meet
- Missouri Southern Sports
- High School Sports
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Area athletes turn shine at state meet
Webb City's Jarvis Jones takes sixth in the 200.
- Cleo Elbert steps down at Thomas Jefferson
- Frontenac wins first state baseball title
- Joplin's Jeremy Lynn takes fifth at state tennis
- Frontenac advances at state baseball
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