WARRENSBURG, Mo. (Jan. 4, 2017) - Central Missouri Jennies Basketball returns to the hardwood for the first time in 2017. After last played Dec. 19, UCM hits the road for a pair of MIAA contests this week.
Opponents: Fort Hays State (11-2, 2-2 MIAA) - Thursday, Jan. 5, 5:30 p.m.
Nebraska-Kearney (4-8, 0-4 MIAA) - Saturday, Jan. 7, 2 p.m.
Where: Hays, Kan. - Gross Memorial Coliseum
Kearney, Neb. - Health and Sports Center
How to Watch: Jennies basketball is broadcast live on 1450 KOKO, 98.5 The Bar, and online at warrensburgradio.com. Games are broadcast by 1450 KOKO/98.5 The Bar Sports Director, Greg Hassler. Video is available through Central Missouri's internet portal through Stretch Internet.
Tip Off
• Central Missouri opens 2017 with a pair of MIAA games against Fort Hays State and Nebraska-Kearney.
• The Jennies last conference win over SBU gave UCM their second ever 3-0 start in MIAA play under Coach
Dave Slifer.
Story Lines
• A win over the Tigers would give the Jennies 11 straight, the longest ever under Coach Slifer. UCM's last 11 game winning streak came in 1995-96 when they won 15 straight.
• Central Missouri is three wins away from matching the best start under Coach Slifer, when they opened the season at 13-1 in 2012-13.
• The Jennies went a combined 1-3 last season against the Tigers and Lopers.
Quick Hits
Last Time Out
Central Missouri's last game came back on December 19th against William Jewell. The Jens won their 10th straight overall and 10th straight against the Cardinals 70-59.
Paige Redmond led four scorers in double figures with 17 points and
Kayonna Lee recorded her second double-double with 12 points and 13 rebounds.
Previously vs. Fort Hays State and Nebraska-Kearney
The Jens went 1-3 last season against the Tigers and Lopers in 2015-16, and 0-2 on the road. Both games against the Tigers came when they were ranked in the top-10, including a 59-50 loss when they were ranked first by the WBCA. On the road at Hays, the Jens held a 15-14 lead after the first quarter, but squandered the lead as the Tigers outscored UCM 23-8 in the second, and won 70-57. Against the Lopers, the Jennies again had a poor second quarter. Trailing by two, 17-15, the Jens were outscored 27-9 in the second before falling 78-61.
Jennies on the Road
Something has to give Thursday as the Jennies, undefeated on the road, take on the Tigers, undefeated at home. Central Missouri is 4-0 this season in road games after going 5-9 on the road a season ago.
Inside the Winning Streak
Since dropping their first game of the season, Central Missouri has won 10 in a row. It matches the longest winning streak under Coach Slifer, set in 2013-14. In six of the 10 games, the Jens have reached 70 points, and have scored at least 80 points in four of those games. UCM has been doing it with defense as well, holding opponents below 60 points for eight straight games.
MIAA Leaders
Central Missouri's
Paige Redmond is in a class all by herself. She is in the MIAA in the top-10 in points per game (7th - 16.5), field goal percentage (7th - .491), free throw percentage (5th - .833), three point percentage (8th - .407), assists (8th - 3.7) and assist-to-turnover ration (4th - 2.2)
Kayonna Lee remains in the MIAA top-five in rebounds per game with 8.2, ranking fourth. Also fourth in the conference is
Ashley Duffy, shooting 46% from behind the arc.
As a team, the Jennies are fourth in the conference in scoring with 77.2 points per game. They just moved under allowing 60 points per game, 59.6 which is seventh in the league.
The Jennies are third in turnover margin at 7.36. Their opponents are averaging 19.4 turnovers per game, which is third in the MIAA and the Jens 12.3 turnovers are the second fewest in the league.
Ball Protection
In 10 of 11 games this season, UCM has been on the plus-side of the turnover battle. The Jennies are ranked 10th in the nation in fewest turnovers per game at 12.3. They're also 14th in turnover margin at plus-7.36.
Threes Company
The Jennies have not been shy about pulling the trigger when it comes to three-pointers. UCM has taken 245 3FG attempts this season, just a shade over 22 attempts per game, and their 38.% on three's is 17th in the NCAA.
Come Early, Stay Late
Central Missouri's top two scoring periods this season have been the first and fourth. UCM has been getting off to hot starts with 219 points in first quarters, outscoring their opponents by an average of 19.9-16.9. It is the fourth quarter though where the Jennies have done their most damage, outscoring opponents by a total of 83 points. In their last two fourth-quarter comebacks, UCM has scored 48 points while holding Missouri Western and Northwest Missouri to 25 between the two. The Jennies had a very balanced game against William Jewell scoring 18 points in the first and third periods and 17 in the second and fourth. For the season, UCM is outscoring opponents 434-289 in second halves.
Scouting the Opposition
Fort Hays State Tigers
• Fort Hays State welcomes the Jennies to Hays, Kan. riding a five game winning streak. The Tigers are 11-2 overall and 2-2 in the MIAA.
• At home the Tigers are unbeaten, entering Thursday's game at 7-0 in Hays. Their only two losses came on the road at Missouri Southern and then-fourth ranked Pittsburg State.
• Fort Hays State is second in the MIAA and sixth in the NCAA scoring 83.2 points per game. Twice this season they have reached 100 points and have scored 80 or more points in eight of 13 games. They are also fifth in scoring margin, outscoring opponents by 28.2 points per game
• Four Tigers are scoring nine points a game this season. Jill Faxon leads the team scoring 11.4 points and Kacey Kennett is right at 10 points per game. Tatyana Legette is just shy of 10 points per game with 9.8 and Nikola Kacperska is scoring nine points per game.
• Fort Hays State is fifth in the MIAA shooting 44.8% from the floor. Legette has been a big help in that connecting on 55.6% and Emma Stroyan is shooting 65.6% while averaging 7.8 points per game.
• On the boards, Fort Hays State ranks just outside the NCAA top-10 and second in the MIAA with 46.1 rebounds per game. Legette is the team's leading rebounder with 7.6 per game. Faxon and Stroyan are each coming down with 5.8 caroms per game.
• With 79 blocked shots, the Tigers are fourth in the NCAA and second in the MIAA. Stroyan has an MIAA-best 35 blocks while Legette with seventh with 16.
• Fort Hays holds onto the ball, giving it away just 12.2 times per game, best in the MIAA. Their 7.38 turnover margin is 13th in the NCAA and second in the conferece.
• Kacperska leads the Tigers with 44 assists, who have handed out 215 helpers on 403 field goals.
Nebraska-Kearney Lopers
• Nebraska-Kearney snapped a four-game losing streak with a win over York College before the New Year. The Lopers are 4-8 entering this weekend and are still searching for their first conference win.
• Before the win over York, UNK's last four losses all came against MIAA opponents. After taking Pittsburg State to overtime in their conference opener, the Lopers have lost by at least nine points their last three MIAA contests.
• Two Lopers are scoring more than 10 points per game this season. Michaela Barry has scored 13 points while shooting 39% from the field. McKenzie Brown is right at 10 points per game. Both Barry and Brown have hit a team-high 22 three-pointers.
• Nebraska-Kearney is near the bottom of the league in shooting percentages. Their .400 field goal percentage and .292 three-point percentage is 13th out of 14 and their .685 free throw percentage is 10th.
• The Lopers have two coming down with more than five rebounds per game. Courtney Aitken leads the team with 6.5 rebounds and Kelsey Fitzgerald is second with 5.1.
• Like the Jennies, the Lopers hold onto the ball well, committing just 12.8 turnovers per game. Their 4.25 turnover margin with fifth in the MIAA.
• The Lopers are just two steals away from 100 on the season, while opponents have just 60. Four Lopers are in double-digits and Barry is the team-leader with 17.
• Alexa Hogberg is dishing out four assists per game to lead the Lopers with 48.
• Nebraska-Kearney is not a big blocking team with only 36 in 12 games. They rank eighth in the MIAA and are led by Fitzgerald and Imani Kyser who each have nine.
