In the second week of regional rankings this year, the Jennies held steady at No. 2 in the Central Region, unchanged from a week ago. UCM holds an overall record of 22-3 on the season, and trail only Washburn, who continues to hold the top spot in the rankings.

The matchup with Washburn on Saturday will close out the regular season, and match Nos. 1 against 2 in the Central Region. Of the eight NCAA regions, only the Jennies and Lady Blues will showdown in the regular season as the top two teams in their region.

Jennies Basketball in the Multi

The Jennies clinched their first undefeated season in the Multi since 1988-89 on Wednesday nigth with the win over Truman ... The Jens are 457-99 all-time in the Multipurpose Building, and 88-29 during the Slifer era ... Central Missouri finished the year with a 14-0 record in the Multi ... UCM has won at least nine home games every year since 2004-05 ... the Jennies have now gone undefeated at home four times: 1982-83 (15-0, finished 3rd in the nation), 1985-86 (14-0, regional champions), 1988-89 (15-0, finished 4th in the nation), and 2012-13 ... from 1988 to 1990, the Jennies won a school-record 34 consecutive games at the Multi ... Currently, UCM is riding a 14-game winning streak at the Multi.

National Leaders

The Jennies rank among the top teams in Division II in a number of statistical categories. As of Feb. 24, the Jens are 17th in total offense, averaging 73.8 points per game. They're also one of the deadliest deep-shooting teams in the country; the Jens 36.9% three-point shooting percentage is the 12th-highest in Division II, as the team hits an average of 7.3 treys per game, 21th-most in the nation. Overall Central Missouri shoots 42.3% from the field, ranking them 47th in the nation. With 14.7 turnovers committed per game, the Jens are one of the better ball handling teams in the country, with the 21st lowest turnover average. Finally, the Jennies have one of the best winning percentages in the nation, at .875 which ranks 12th.

Chasing History

The Jennies have a chance this season to record one of the best regular season records in program history. This season's record of 22-3 gives the Jens a .880 winning percentage. The school record currently sits at .906, which was set during the 1982-83 and 1989-90 seasons, when the Jennies posted identical 29-3 records. Both of those teams won MIAA regular season and tournament titles, NCAA regional championships, and reached the national semifinals and quarterfinals, respectively.

This season, the Jennies have also set the record for the most MIAA victories in the Dave Slifer era, with 14. With a win at Washburn on Saturday, the Jens would match the all-time conference victories record with a 15-3 mark, tying the 1990-91 squad that went 15-1 in conference play. That team won the regular season MIAA title, before falling to Southeast Missouri State in both the conference and regional tourneys.

Instant Impact

In her first season at UCM, junior forward Keuna Flax has become one of the top players in the MIAA. Flax is averaging a team-high 19.7 points per game, and is shooting 52.2% from the field. Because she missed the first seven games of the year Flax doesn't qualify for any MIAA or NCAA leaderboards, but if she did, she would lead the conference in scoring with 1.4 points per game more than the second-highest average, and would rank fourth nationally in Division II. The Haltom City, Tex. native has scored 20 or more points in nine games for UCM this season, and has scored in double figures in all but one appearance this season; she set a new career high with 30 points in the win over Central Oklahoma on Feb. 7.

Senior Leader

Senior forward Nicole Caddell has been dominant in the post this season, averaging a double-double with 13.6 points and 10.2 rebounds per game. She is just one of two players in the MIAA to be averaging a double-double on the season. Caddell has matched her career high of 16 rebounds three times this season (St. Mary's, Lewis, Arkansas Tech). She ranks second in the MIAA in total rebounding, and leads the league in offensive boards (3.6 per game). Nationally, the Tuscaloosa, Ala. native ranks 25th in rebounds, and 32nd in the country with nine double-doubles this season.

Caddell also reached a major milestone in her UCM career in the win over Lincoln earlier this month, surpassing the 1,000 point mark. Caddell became the 24th player in Jennies basketball history to reach that total, and was the third-fastest Jennie to do so, reaching the milestone in just 74 games played. With her 23 points against Truman on Wednesday, Caddell moved into 19th place on the UCM scoring list, surpassing Margaret Nielson (1978-80) and Bethany Orendorff (2001-05).

Caddell also pulled down her 600th career rebound against the Blue Tigers. She now stands 10th on UCM's all-time rebounding list, with 662 boards in her career. With her one block at Lindenwood, Caddell, became just the third player in Jennies history to have at least 1,000 points, 600 rebounds, and 100 blocks, joining Rosie Jones (1981-85) and Barb Sorensen (1986-90).

Scoring Threat

Junior BreAnna Lewis has been one of the nation's best three-point shooters this season. Lewis ranks third in the MIAA in scoring and 66th in Division II, with 16.2 points per game, and is shooting at a 38.8% clip from beyond the arc, ranking 37th nationally. She has the MIAA's second-highest average of three-pointers hit per game, with 3.0, which places her 6th on the national leaderboard. In the win over Academy of Art, Lewis knocked down seven three-pointers, tying her for the third-most in a single game in Jennies program history; she has hit five or more treys in six games, and has hit six in her last two games, against Missouri Southern and Lindenwood.

Lewis, along with Keuna Flax, were former teammates at Trinity Valley CC, where they won the NJCAA national championship a year ago. With the Jennies, the pair account for 35.9 points per game, just under half of the team's scoring average.

MIAA Tournament

The 2013 MIAA Tournament is scheduled for March 8-10, at the Municipal Auditorium in downdown Kansas City, Mo. This year's edition of the conference tournament has a slightly different format, as four preliminary first-round matchups will take place on Tuesday, March 5 to round out the eight-team field. The top four seeds will earn a bye and automatically punch their tickets to Kansas City, while seeds 5-8 will host a first-round game against seeds 9-12.

The Jennies have claimed seven MIAA tournament titles, second only to Washburn's nine titles, but haven't cut the nets down since 1990. Last season, the Jennies knocked off Fort Hays State, 73-61 in the first round before falling to the eventual conference tournament champions Washburn, 64-62 in the semifinals.

The Jens have officially earned a spot in the MIAA Tournament this season, as well as a trip straight to Kansas City and through the first round. The Jennies have clinched at least a No. 2 seed in the tournament, and with a victory over Washburn on Saturday, would hold the No. 1 seed. If the season were to end today, UCM would face the winner of Missouri Western at Fort Hays State. 

Milestone Victory

After defeating Truman on Wednesday, head coach Dave Slifer moved into a tie for second place on the Jennies all-time wins list, matching Scott Ballard (1995-03). Slifer surpassed Mildred Barnes (1971-80) for third place on the list earlier this season, with a win at home over Pittsburg State on Jan. 12. After defeating Lincoln on Feb. 16, head coach Dave Slifer earned his 550th career victory; he now has a 167-94 record on the UCM sideline, and a 551-193 record during his 24-year coaching career. At the start of the season Slifer ranked seventh among active coaches at the Division II level in total wins, and is one of just eight active coaches to reach the 500 wins mark. Slifer also has the most victories in MIAA history, with nine seasons at UCM and nine at Missouri Western from 1995-2004.

Starting Roles

Point guard Brielle Wattley and forward Quinnecia Twine have developed into key components of the Jennies' success this season. Both players earned regular starting spots during the pair of games in Las Vegas in December.

Twine has started 17 games this season, and is averaging 7.7 points this season. The Atlanta, Ga. native is one of the Jennies most solid defenders, with the second-highest total of steals (29) this year. Offensively, Twine can also be a threat from deep; she has the team's second-most three-point field goals this year, and is shooting 32.6% (31-of-95) from long range. The junior has scored in double figures in seven starts, and set a new career high with 24 points in the win over Central Oklahoma. Twine also hit a career-high five three-pointers against the Bronchos.

Wattley has started the last 18 games at point guard, and is averaging 2.1 assists as a starter. She leads the team with a 1.68 assist-to-turnover ratio this season, and has committed just four turnovers in her last three games. The sophomore from Fort Wayne, Ind. averages 3.8 points per game, and shoots 45.6% (36-79) from the field.

Disappointing Departure

After leading the Jennies offense during the first eight games of the season, freshman Shelby Winkelmann suffered a season-ending injury during the win over Dixie State. Winkelmann was averaging 17.6 points and 5.4 rebounds per game, leading the team in scoring at the time. The current team leader, Keuna Flax, played together with Winkelmann for one game (Dixie State) before the freshman's injury.

Winning Time

The Jennies have developed a knack for pulling out close games this season; the team is 7-0 in games decided by five points or less, most recently in their Senior Night victory over Truman on Wednesday. On the season, the Jens shoot 42.2% from the field. In the final five minutes of games, however, that percentage rises to 44.2%. The Jens also average 10.1 points per game in the last five minutes compared to 73.2 on the year. UCM has claimed three wins after trailing with five minutes left in regulation (Southwest Baptist, Northeastern State, Missouri Western), and are a perfect 19-0 when leading at the five-minute mark.

Bench Notes
Junior Symone Murray leads the bench with 5.0 points and 2.9 rebounds per game this season ... She has reached double-figures five times this season, and earned her first start in Nicole Caddell's absence during the win over Lincoln on Jan. 30, recording six points and six rebounds ... Erin Redmond is third on the team with 36 assists on the year, to go along with 2.8 points and 1.6 rebounds per game ... Against Missouri Southern, Redmond tallied three assists, her highest total since the win over Northeastern State on Jan. 9 ... Junior Kiersten Orton has been one of the best rebounders off the bench for the Jens, averaging 2.4 boards per game ...  Freshman Danielle Barry scored a career-high seven points in the first half of the win over Pittsburg State, and is averaging 1.4 points and 2.0 boards this season ... Breonna Embray has appeared in all 25 games this year, averaging 1.3 points per game.

UCM in the Polls

With their first loss in the last ten games at Southwest Baptist last week, the Central Missouri Jennies slipped six spots in the WBCA USA TODAY Sports Division II Top 25 Coaches' Poll, to No. 13 this week. Central Missouri earned the 13th spot, totaling 425 points.

The Jennies are the second-highest MIAA team ranked in the poll, just behind No. 5 Washburn, who kept their same spot from a week ago. Truman re-enters the poll for the second time this year before their matchup with the Jennies, breaking into this week's poll at No. 25. The current No. 1 team, Clayton State (Ga.), becomes the third different No. 1 team in the last three weeks, and is now the nation's last unbeaten team.

Five of UCM's opponents this season, including two MIAA teams are earning votes in the poll but are not ranked; Fort Hays State collected 9 points this week, followed by Pittsburg State with 8.

Series History with Washburn

The Lady Blues are one of only two teams in the MIAA to hold a lead over the Jennies in their all-time series. Washburn is currently 37-14 against Central Missouri, and have won nine of the past ten meetings. The Jennies did upset the Lady Blues in Topeka last season, 69-68 on Feb. 2, and will look to win two straight games in Lee Arena for the first time since 1999-2000.

Opponent Preview

The Lady Blues host the Jennies after their recent ten-game winning streak was snapped with a road loss to Emporia State on Wednesday night. Washburn currently leads the MIAA in total defense, allowing just 51.2 points per game. Senior Laura Kinderknecht leads the team with 15.0 points per game, and ranks fifth in the MIAA in scoring. Junior Lavonda McCall leads the lead with a .571 shooting percentage as well, while Tiara George is shooting .567 from the field, good for 3rd-best in the league.

Last Time Against the Lady Blues
A last-second three-pointer from senior Taylor Hanson rimmed in and out, as the Jennies upset bid fell just short against Washburn, in the 2012 MIAA Tournament semifinals, 64-62. The Jens finished on a 16-6 run, nearly completing the comeback for what would have been the second straight win over the Lady Blues. Nicole Caddell and Saraethea Brown both finished with a team-high 15 points.

A Win for the Jennies Would...

... win a share of the MIAA regular season championship for the first time since 1995-96 ... give the Jennies the No. 1 seed in the upcoming MIAA Tournament ... improve the Jennies record to 23-3 this season ... improve their conference record to 15-3 ... match the record for most conference wins in program history ... be the second win in the last three meetings with Washburn ... be the second straight road win over the Lady Blues, the longest road win streak against WU since 1999-2000.

A Loss for the Jennies Would...

... drop the Jennies record to 22-4 on the year ... drop their record to 14-4 against the MIAA this season ... give the Jennies the No. 2 seed in the upcoming MIAA Tournament ... be the second-straight loss in the last three games, and the second straight road loss ... be the tenth loss to Washburn in the last 11 meetings.

UCM Program History

The UCM Jennies are 847-352 (.706) after 41 seasons, and 644-263 (.710) in the 30 seasons since joining NCAA Division II ... The matchup with Lincoln on Jan. 30 marked the 900th game for the Jennies since joining the NCAA Division II ... the Jennies have won 9 MIAA regular season championships, 7 MIAA Tournament titles, 6 NCAA regional titles, and the 1984 NCAA Division II National Championship.

MIAA Preseason Polls

After a fourth place regular season finish a year ago, the Jennies debuted at No. 6 in the MIAA Preseason Coaches and Media Polls. Washburn, who won the regular season and tournament titles last year, were picked to repeat by both the coaches and the media. Pittsburg State, who reached the first round of the NCAA Elite Eight, were picked second in both polls. 

UCM Athletics

The 2011-12 school year saw Central Missouri's 15 sports combine for seven MIAA regular season titles, and three MIAA tournament championships (women's soccer, baseball, men's golf). The Mules and Jennies have totaled 193 MIAA regular season championships across all sports, the most of any MIAA program. UCM has won five national championships since 1980 (men's and women's basketball in 1984, baseball in 1994 and 2003, and women's bowling in 2003), and seven national titles overall. This season, Central Missouri has collected three MIAA titles, in women's soccer, men's indoor track and field, and most recently, men's basketball.

In the Classroom

As much success as the Jennies saw on the court in 2011-12, they achieved just as much in the classroom. Nine players on last year's roster earned the MIAA Academic Honor Roll award, for earning at least a 3.0 cumulative GPA. Two players from a year ago, Alyssa Rhodes and Taylor Hanson, were honored with the MIAA Scholar-Athlete award, as the two seniors were recognized for earning All-MIAA Team honors while maintaining a 3.5 GPA or higher.

Junior forward Kiersten Orton was one of just 18 athletes across all sports at Central Missouri to earn the MIAA Academic Excellence Award. Orton has recorded a perfect 4.0 GPA during her time at UCM, while studying Middle School Math Education.

Jennies on the Air
The MIAA championship-deciding showdown with Washburn will be televised on the MIAA Television Network. The MIAA TV Network can be found over the air in the Kansas City area, on KSMO, channel 62. The game will also be broadcast on various cable systems throughout the MIAA region.

Central Missouri women's basketball can be caught throughout the season on 98.5 “The BAR,” 1450 KOKO, and warrensburgradio.com as Greg Hassler provides play-by-play alongside Shawn Jones.

Fans can catch highlights each week on Central Missouri Sportspage, Thursday nights at 7 p.m., and Saturdays at 5 p.m. on KMOS-TV. Shawn Jones will sit down with Coach Slifer throughout the season to discuss the latest game, as various Jennies will be featured throughout the year.

Jennies fans can also tune in to 98.5 “The Bar” and 1450 KOKO each Tuesday morning at 9:30 a.m. for Central Missouri Sports Talk, with Greg Hassler and Bill Turnage. The pair will talk UCM athletics, as well as other hot topics in the sports world. Jennies coaches and players will drop in throughout the season as well.

Each MIAA contest througout the season will also be available online through AmericaOneSports.com. Every home game broadcast is produced by the student-run UCM Media Network. The cost for the webcasts is $8 for a single game, $30 for a 30-day pass, and $89.95 for a season pass, which includes both Mules and Jennies basketball.