Jennies to Play SBU in MIAA Quarterfinals

WARRENSBURG, Mo. (March 1, 2017) - The No. 19 Central Missouri Jennies prepare for this weekend's MIAA Tournament. UCM finished the regular season 22-5 overall with a 15-4 conference record to earn the No. 2 seed in the tournament.

When: Friday- Sunday, March 3-5

Opponents: Quarterfinals #10 Southwest Baptist (16-13, 7-12 MIAA)

Where: Municipal Auditorium, Kansas City, Mo.

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 finished the regular season at 22-5 and 15-4 in the MIAA. They earned the No. 2 seed in the MIAA Tournament, finishing a game behind conference champions, PSU.
• Southwest Baptist defeated Washburn 68-56 in Topeka to advance to the quarterfinal round. The Bearcats finished the regular season 7-12 in the MIAA and are the No. 10 seed.

Story Lines
• Central Missouri and the Bearcats have a long history. The Jennies have owned most of that, holding a 54-13 lifetime record against SBU. However, UCM is just 1-2 against Southwest Baptist in the MIAA Tournament. They last time they squared off was 2008 with the Bearcats coming away with an 89-80 win. 
• This marks the fifth time the Jennies have been the No. 2 seed in the conference tournament, with the last time being in 2012-13. The Jennies have never won a conference tournament as a No. 2 seed. Only six times in MIAA history has a No. 2 seed won the tournament. Emporia State has done so twice in the last three years in 2013-14 and 2014-15.
• All-time Central Missouri is 41-28 in the MIAA Tournament. They are 15-14 under coach Dave Slifer. 

Quick Hits
Last Time Out
Central Missouri completed the regular season defeating No. 7 Pittsburg State 69-63. In true Jennies fashion, they rallied from down double-digits, to take a fourth quarter lead they never gave up. Paige Redmond scored 21 points, her second straight 20 point game. Kayonna Lee recorded her eighth double-double with 17 points and 21 rebounds and the Jennies honored their two seniors, Ashley Duffy and Andee Wahlert. 

Previously vs. Southwest Baptist
The Jennies picked up their ninth straight win back in December defeating Southwest Baptist 80-59. After a close first half saw the Jennies lead by six at halftime, UCM charged out of the gates in the second half, outscoring the Bearcats 21-9 in the third quarter. Five Jennies scored in double-figures led by Paige Redmond's 18. Sydney Crockett went 4-for-6 from three for 14 points. Kelsey Williams and Morgan Fleming scored 13 points and Ashley Duffy added 10. In total, 10 different Jennies scored at least two points. 

Jennies in the Rankings
For the sixth week, Central Missouri is ranked in the WBCA top-25. They moved up to No. 19 this week. For the second time this season, Central Missouri is ranked in the Division II Media Poll, coming in at No. 25. 

In the Central Region
Central Missouri moved up in the NCAA Regional Rankings to No. 6 this week after coming in at number eight a week ago. Northern State won the Northern Sun Tournament, earning their conference's automatic bid. The Great American Conference begins this weekend. In the quarterfinals, No. 1 Harding plays No. 8 Arkansas-Monticello and No. 2 Arkansas Tech plays No 7 Ouachita Baptist. The top-eight teams make the regional. The NCAA selection show is this Sunday, March 5 at 9 p.m. CT. 

Lee's Big Day
Kayonna Lee grabbed 21 rebounds vs. Pittsburg State setting a new career high. It is just the 12th 20-rebound game in Jennies history and ties her for the fourth most at UCM. Lee did more than just rebound, scoring 17 points, going 11-13 at the free throw line. She also blocked three shots and came away with two steals. 

All-MIAA
The MIAA announced their All-Conference team's before the first round games. Central Missouri finished with three on the ballot. Paige Redmond was a unanimous selection to the First Team. She becomes the 31st Jennie to make the first team and the first sophomore or younger since Lori Nichols in 1999-2000. Redmond is fifth in the MIAA scoring 16.7 points per game and handing out 3.8 assists. Her 45.2% shooting from the field is seventh in the MIAA and 85.2% free throw percentage is fifth.

Joining Redmond are Kayonna Lee and Megan Skaggs who were named All-MIAA Honorable Mention. Lee also made the MIAA All-Defensive Team. The first Jennie since Deidra Dace in 2009-10. Skaggs is the first true freshman to earn All-MIAA accolades for UCM since Kara Fleming in 2007-08. Lee is scoring 8.4 points per game and grabbing 9.2 rebounds per game which is fourth in the MIAA. Skaggs is fourth in the MIAA in scoring for a freshman with 9.3 points per game and is shooting 50% from the floor. 

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 24 straight games without an opponent reaching 70 points and in 18 of those 24, teams have been held to 60 points or below. The Jennies finished the regular season leading the MIAA in scoring defense in conference-only games, allowing 57.5 points against MIAA teams. The closest team, Emporia State, is allowing 59.2 points to MIAA teams. Nationally, the Jennies rank 35th in scoring defense and 31st in scoring margin at +13.4.

Whatever You Do, Don't Go Home Early
The Jennies love putting on shows in the fourth quarter. Of their 1,932 points, 499 have come in the fourth quarter, their most in any quarter, and have allowed just 346, their fewest in any quarter. That has helped them to six fourth-quarter comebacks this season, including the one at Pittsburg State. Second-Half Jennies are outscoring opponents by 242 points, 36.1-27.1. 

Scouting the Opposition
Southwest Baptist Bearcats
• Southwest Baptist had lost four of their last five games before defeating Washburn 68-56 in the MIAA opening round.
• Of the Bearcats two wins in their last six games, both have come against the Ichabods and both have come in Topeka.
• SBU finished the regular season with a 16-13 overall record and were 7-12 in MIAA play. They were the No. 10 seed in the MIAA Tournament and are the lowest remaining seed after opening round games.
• SBU has been one of the best at finding the bottom of the net. They lead the MIAA and rank ninth in the nation in shooting percentage, connecting on 45.7% of their field goal attempts. SBU is also third in the MIAA shooting 75.6% from the free throw line.
• Two Bearcats are scoring in double-figures this season led by Megan Rosenbohm's 16.9. She is fourth in the MIAA in scoring and fifth in shooting percentage at 47.1%. Earlier in the week, she was named to the All-MIAA Second Team. 
• Caylee Richardson is second with 11.6 points per game and leads the club with seven rebounds per game which is 11th in the MIAA. She is an All-MIAA Honorable Mention. 
• Rosenbohm has also helped the Bearcats free throw percentage. She is second in the MIAA connecting on 88.3% of her free throw attempts. 
• Southwest Baptist is fourth in the MIAA blocking 3.83 shots per game. Natalie O'Keefe is tied for ninth individually swatting away 1.1 shots per game and has 31 in 28 games. 
• SBU is prone to the turnover, giving it away 546 times this season. They are third from the bottom in the MIAA in turnover margin at -2.52.