By Jim Henry
jhenry@joplinglobe.com
Evangel certainly grabbed the attention of the MIAA women’s basketball teams one week ago when the Crusaders defeated Northwest Missouri State, the league’s preseason No. 3 team, 80-71 in Maryville.
The Crusaders tackle two more MIAA teams this weekend in the Fairfield Inn/Pizza Hut Thanksgiving Classic at Missouri Southern.
Evangel (2-3) plays the host Lions tonight at 7 at the Leggett & Platt Athletic Center and Pittsburg State at 1 p.m. Saturday.
“You look at the Northwest Missouri and Evangel score and know this is a very good basketball team,” Lions head coach Maryann Mitts said. “Hopefully we can learn from Northwest’s mistakes. I do not think that Northwest would take them lightly. Our team definitely learned we have a very good team coming in here.”
Missouri University of Science and Technology, formerly Missouri-Rolla and a former MIAA member, is the fourth team in the classic. And this team of Miners is different from the ones who used to finish in the bottom half of the league almost every year.
Since leaving the MIAA to join the Great Lakes Valley Conference, the Miners have a 58-29 record over three seasons. Last year the Miners finished 24-7 and came within one game of reaching the Elite Eight, losing to eventual national champion Northern Kentucky.
“I think a lot of people have this false sense of identity of what Rolla used to be like,” Mitts said. “This is an NCAA qualifying team. ... It’s an important weekend, but it’s going to be a very difficult weekend as well.”
While many basketball teams have games bunched together during nonconference play, the Lions have played on weekends only so far, producing valuable consecutive days of practice.
“I’ve enjoyed our schedule,” Mitts said. “We’ve had another strong week of practice. After two games this weekend, it gets to what Robert (Corn, MSSU men’s basketball coach) calls the grinder part of the schedule. After this weekend, you will not have much time to repair damages because you have to prepare for your next opponent.”
The Lions (3-0) defeated Northeastern State (Okla.) 75-62 last Saturday, outscoring the RiverHawks 46-31 in the second half.
Senior guard Myosha Barnes led the Lions with 18 points, and freshman forward Michelle Hedgecock contributed 14 points and eight rebounds.
Consistency is one trait Mitts is looking for this weekend.
“I think it’s important that we build off our NSU game,” Mitts said. “It will tell a lot about our basketball team ... was that just one good day or is that who we are. We are still trying to identify ourselves.
“I want two consistent games this weekend, especially with conference starting next week. It’s important we play well this weekend to instill confidence going into conference.”
Sports
Southern women face important weekend of games
- Sports
-
-
Kickapoo girls race past Joplin
Annie Armstrong poured in 21 points to lead the Kickapoo girls to a 65-28 victory over Joplin on Thursday night in an Ozark Conference basketball game at Missouri Southern’s Young Gymnasium.
-
Cheever is ultimate blue-collar snowboarder
As a World Cup snowboardcross racer, Jonathan Cheever has taken his share of spills over the years.
-
District wrestling tournaments begin tonight
Neosho’s wrestling lineup will have a different look when the Class 3 district wrestling tournament begins at 6 p.m. today at Carthage.
-
Late board work carries Lions past Pittsburg State
Pittsburg State displayed its offensive rebounding muscle during Wednesday night’s game at Missouri Southern.
-
Pitching holds key for softball Lions
Pitching is the main question Missouri Southern must answer as the Lions open their softball season today in Abilene, Texas.
-
Quapaw completes 12-0 run through Lucky '7' Conference
Quapaw High School girls basketball coach Rod Graves expected the 2011-12 Wildcats to compile another successful season.
They haven’t been a disappointment. -
Hillsdale women stop OCC
Visiting Hillsdale Free Will Baptist handed Ozark Christian a 68-47 loss in women’s college basketball on Thursday night.
-
Tomlin, Steelers welcome Haley as new coordinator
Throughout the 16 minutes that followed him glowingly introducing former Kansas City Chiefs coach Todd Haley as his new offensive coordinator, Pittsburgh Steelers coach Mike Tomlin stood proudly in the corner of the second-floor media room at the team’s facility.
-
Rangers, Cruz strike $16M, 2-year deal
Two-time defending AL champion Texas has avoided arbitration with another of its core players, agreeing Thursday to a $16 million, two-year contract with AL championship series MVP Nelson Cruz.
-
Auburn’s Ward adapts game after injury at Texas
Auburn’s Varez Ward can’t take to the air quite like he used to. The onetime Texas starter is still trying to regain strength and explosiveness more than two years after rupturing his right quadriceps tendon while dunking during pre-game warmups.
- More Sports Headlines
-
Denver's Largest-Ever Drug Bust Nets Dozens
Marines: No Punishment for Nazi-like Flag
Vets Look to Translate Military Skills Into Jobs
Expert: Removing LA School's Staff 'Appropriate'
Raw Video: School Bus Burst Into Flames
LA School Reopens Amid Sex Abuse Scandal
$25B Settlement Reached Over Foreclosure Abuses
Pentagon: Allow Women Closer to Front Lines
Obama Gives Education Waivers to 10 States
Giffords Aide to Run for Her Seat
LA School in Sex Abuse Scandal Reopens
Winter Slamming North Asia, Parts of Europe
Syrian Forces Renew Bombardment of Homs
States, Banks Reach Foreclosure-abuse Settlement
Raw Video: Italy's Mount Etna Bursts Into Life
Greeks March; Angry Despite Debt Deal
Raw Video: U.S. Pullout Celebration
Raw Video: Annual Empire State Building Run-Up
Man Killed in Courthouse Shootout
Air Force Airlines: Leaders Get Polished Service
