By Jim Henry
jhenry@joplinglobe.com
It’s Cancer Awareness Night as Missouri Southern entertains Missouri Western in a key MIAA women’s basketball game.
The Lions will be wearing pink uniforms for tonight’s 5:30 game at the Leggett & Platt Athletic Center. Just like the past two years, the uniforms will be auctioned off to raise money for cancer research.
With the MIAA Postseason Tournament one month away, Emporia State and Washburn are battling for the top two spots, and three games separate the next seven teams..
Missouri Southern (11-9, 5-8 MIAA) is eighth in the conference standings, one-half game ahead of the Griffons (7-14, 5-9).
The Griffons lost their first four leagues games this season but have gone 5-5 since, starting with a 78-62 home victory over Missouri Southern on Dec. 30. Jessica Koch tallied 24 points as the Griffons posted their highest scoring total of the season.
“It was unacceptable the last time we played them,” Lions head coach Maryann Mitts said. “I think our effort has gradually improved. I do not anticipate that being a problem. Saturday’s game is too important. It’s a home game obviously, and I think our basketball team will give a much better effort than the first time.”
The Lions are 5-7 since Christmas break, and their roller-coaster season continued over their last three games. A two-point home victory over fourth-place Central Missouri was sandwiched between road losses to Truman State and Southwest Baptist, the bottom two teams in the league.
The Lions have been idle since their 55-50 loss at Southwest Baptist.
“It gives us an opportunity to focus on ourselves,” Mitts said. “You’re not afforded that luxury during conference play.
“I think it was nice for our basketball team to have a Wednesday off and be able to watch the other scores in the MIAA and focus on a normal school day. The MIAA is a grind, and this is the time of year to regroup and find the energy and mental toughness necessary to compete in this league.”
Junior forward Jasmine Lovejoy had 15 points in the loss at Missouri Western, equaling her season average.
Senior guard Randi Henderson, who underwent knee surgery last month, returned to play limited minutes at SBU and is available tonight.
“She was back sooner than anybody expected,” Mitts said. “That’s Randi Henderson. For her to be back as quickly as she was and be able to play and practice four days after her surgery, that shows what kind of competitor she is.”
