Jennies Look to Keep Momentum Going at Home This Week

WARRENSBURG, Mo. (Feb. 15, 2017) - No. 16 Central Missouri Jennies wrap up a three-game home stand this week, with just two weeks left in the MIAA regular season.

Opponents: Lincoln (5-18, 4-12 MIAA) - Thursday, Feb. 16 - 5:30 p.m.
Lindenwood (10-14, 5-11 MIAA) - Saturday, Feb. 18 - 1:30 p.m.

Where: Warrensburg, Mo. - UCM Multipurpose Building

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 is in sole possession of second-place in the MIAA standings. If the Jennies win out and first-place Pittsburg State drops a game, the two will tie for first in the league.
• Lincoln and Lindenwood played each other in their last two games. Lincoln got the win on Saturday, 93-88 in Jefferson City and 71-67 Tuesday in St. Charles. 

Story Lines
• With their win earlier in the season, Central Missouri is 52-3 all-time against Lincoln. The last time the Blue Tigers were in Warrensburg however, they came away with an 82-76 victory in January, 2016. Coach Slifer is 14-2 all-time against the Blue Tigers.
• Coach Slifer has fared just as well against Lindenwood going 12-2 all-time. UCM also beat Lindenwood earlier in the season and has a five-game winning streak vs. the Lions. 

Quick Hits
Last Time Out
Central Missouri had no issues with Missouri Southern at the start of their season-long three game homestand. The Jennies took care of the Lions 74-47 on UCM's Hall of Fame Day. The Jens outscored the Lions 45-22 in the middle periods to separate after holding a three-point lead going into the second. Four Jennies scored in double-figures led by Sydney Crockett who scored 18 points with five three-pointers. Kayonna Lee has back-to-back double-doubles, she scored 11 points and grabbed 10 rebounds. Paige Redmond added 17 points on 6-12 shooting. 

Previously vs. Lincoln/Lindenwood
The Jennies and Lincoln got off to a slow start in their meeting in Jefferson City. At the half, the Jennies led by 10, 30-20. Leading by just eight heading into the fourth, the Jens took over, outscoring the Blue Tigers 22-5 to pull away with the 66-41 win. Three days later in St. Charles, the Jennies throttled the Lions in the first, racing out to a 26-5 lead after one quarter and never looked back in their 79-59 win. Five Jennies were in double-figures with Redmond's 16 leading the way. 

Jennies in the Rankings
For the third fourth week, Central Missouri is ranked in the WBCA top-25. They fell one spot to No. 16 this week. The first NCAA regional rankings will be released Wednesday afternoon, Feb. 15. 

Jennies at Home
At home, Central Missouri is 8-1 this season. They've won eight straight at the Multi after dropping their season-opener.

MIAA Leaders
Central Missouri's Paige Redmond is in a rare group. She is the only player in the MIAA in the top-10 in points per game (6th - 16.2), field goal percentage (6th - .456), free throw percentage (8th - .833), assists (4th - 4.0) and minutes played (9th - 32.1). She is also shooting 40.9% from beyond the arc, but doesn't have enough makes to qualify for the MIAA leaderboard. Against Northeastern State, Redmond scored her 500th career point. 

Also near 500 career points is Ashley Duffy. She is 50 points shy of the milestone. 

Kayonna Lee sits fourth in the league with 8.4 rebounds per game.

The Jennies are third in turnover margin at 5.09. Their opponents are averaging 17.4 turnovers per game, which is fourth in the MIAA and the Jens 12.3 turnovers are the fewest in the league. as are their 284 total turnovers.  

On the offensive end, Central Missouri is second in the MIAA shooting 37.2% from behind the arc. They are also fifth in the league 74.3% at the free throw line. 

Getting Defensive
After allowing their first three opponents to all reach at least 73 points, the Jennies defense has been among the best. Central Missouri has gone 20 straight games without an opponent reaching 70 points and in 16 of those 20, teams haven't even reached 60. The Jennies lead the MIAA in scoring defense in conference-only games, allowing 56.2 points against MIAA teams. The closest team, Emporia State, is allowing 59.0 points to MIAA teams. Nationally, the Jennies rank 28th in scoring defense and 24th in scoring margin at +14.1.

Deep Dives
Central Missouri ranks second in the MIAA shooting 37.2% from behind the arc. Seven Jennies have made at least 10 three-point field goals and three have hit 30 with Paige Redmond's 45 leading the way. At home, Sydney Crockett has been the go-to shooter. She's 28-55 (50.9%) for three at the Multi. 

Whatever You Do, Don't Go Home Early
The Jennies love putting on shows in the fourth quarter. Of their 1,654 points, 431 have come in the fourth quarter, their most in any quarter, and have allowed just 283, their fewest in any quarter. That has helped them to five fourth-quarter comebacks this season.  Central Missouri is outscoring opponents by an average of 18.7-12.3 in fourth quarters this season and 36.2-26.3 in second halves. 

Scouting the Opposition
Lincoln Blue Tigers
• After losing four in a row, the Blue Tigers have won two straight, both against Lindenwood Saturday and Tuesday. Their back-to-back wins put them ta 5-18 overall this season and 4-12 in the MIAA. 
• The Blue Tigers win in St. Charles Tuesday was their first road win of the season. Lincoln is 1-10 away from Jason Gym. 
• The Blue Tigers rely heavily on seniors Azaria Nave and Hunter Yoakum, both of whom are in the MIAA top-10 in minutes played. Yoakum is second in the conference with 33.7 minutes per game.
• They are also the top-two point scorers for Lincoln with Nave scoring 14.0 points per game and Yoakum 13.1. Nave has cooled off from behind the arc. She was 25-53 entering their last meeting in January, but has gone just 8 for her last 30 since. 
• Tyler Henderson-Brown is the team's top rebounder with 5.1 rebounds per game. Lincoln isn't a great rebounding team, being out-rebounded 46.9-34.7 this season.
• The Blue Tigers are at the bottom of the league shooting 37.4% from the floor and next-to-last at 28% from three. Their free throw shooting has improved, they've climbed to 11th in the MIAA at 68.6%.
• Lincoln has used some active hands to come away with 185 steals and their 8.0 steals per game is sixth in the MIAA. Khadijah Ellison leads the team with 35 steals while Citlali Lopez has 30.
• Erica Gibbons ranks fourth in the conference with both 33 blocked shots and 1.5 blocks per game. She is the biggest Lincoln swat threat, with 33 of the team's 67 blocked shots. 
• The Blue Tigers are last in the MIAA in points allowed, giving up an average of 74.1 points per game. Their -9.2 scoring margin is also the worst in the league. 

Lindenwood Lions
• After back-to-back wins for only the second time this season, Lindenwood has dropped two straight, both to Lincoln. 
• Lindenwood is 10-14 overall and 5-11 in the MIAA. On the road the Lions are 4-7 this year, with only two of those road wins coming in MIAA competition. 
• The Lions rely heavily on their bigs Kallie Bildner and Gabby Walker. Bildner, a 6-3 freshman forward, leads the Lions with 14.3 points per game. She is shooting 53.8% from the floor, which would be second in the MIAA with enough made field goals. Walker is a six foot freshman and is also scoring in double-figures, recording 11points per game. Bildner is reigning MIAA Player of the Week.
• Bildner is also second in the MIAA in rebounds per game, coming down with an average of 9.1 caroms. Of her 137 rebounds, 56 have come on the offensive end.  
• Lindenwood is at the bottom of the league in three-point percentage and free throw percentage. The Lions are only shooting 25.4% from beyond the arc and 66.2% at the charity stripe. Of 307 teams ranking in Division II, Lindenwood is ranked 289. Lindsay Medlen is the only player with 20 or more 3FGM, connecting on 20-of-74 attempts. 
• Lindenwood is fairing better inside the arc, shooting 42.9% overall, which is eighth in the league. In addition to Bildner, Walker is shooting 51.8%.
• Lindenwood has turned the ball over 474 times, the most in the MIAA by 75 turnovers. Their -4.04 turnover margin is the second worst in the MIAA.
• Lion senior CeCe Rapp is the team leader with 24 blocked shots. Despite the size of their freshmen, the Lions are being out-blocked 82-81 this season.