WARRENSBURG, Mo. (March 8, 2017) - Friday, March 10 will mark the 20th appearance for Central Missouri Jennies Basketball in the NCAA Tournament. The sixth-seeded Jennies start their march towards a Regional Championship against No. 3 seed Minnesota State-Moorhead.
When: Friday, March 10, 7:30 p.m.
Opponent: #3 Minnesota State-Moorhead (24-4, 20-2 NSIC)
Where: Rhodes-Reaves Field House, Searcy, Ark. - Harding University
Central Region Quarterfinal Matchups
#1 Emporia State vs. #8 Northern State - 12 p.m.
#4 Central Oklahoma vs. #5 Pittsburg State - 2:30 p.m.
#2 Harding vs. #7 Arkansas Tech - 5 p.m.
#3 Minnesota State-Moorhead vs. #6 Central Missouri - 7:30 p.m.
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 the Harding University Department of Communications Media Network.
Tip Off
• Central Missouri is making its 20th all-time NCAA Tournament appearance. The last time came back in 2013-14 when they lost in the Central Region semifinals.
• The Jens finished the regular season 22-5 and 15-4 in the MIAA. They went 1-1 in the MIAA and earned the No. 6 seed in the NCAA Regional Championship.
Story Lines
• Central Missouri is is 0-2 all-time against Minnesota State-Moorhead. Their first meeting came in 1992-93. Their last was only a year ago. The Jennies second game of the 2015-16 season was a 63-58 loss to the Dragons in Las Vegas.
• This marks the 20th NCAA Tournament appearance in Central Missouri history. They have six regional championship crowns with their last coming in 1989. The Jens also won from 1983-86 and in 1988.
• All-time Central Missouri is 20-19 in the NCAA Tournament. They are 2-6 under coach
Dave Slifer, having made six regional appearances in 13 years.
• Last season the sixth seeded Arkansas Tech Golden Suns defeated three seed Missouri Western 81-80. Six seeds are 2-2 in the last four years in NCAA Central Region Quarterfinal games.
Quick Hits
Last Time Out
The Jennies were ousted from the MIAA Tournament by eventual champions Emporia State, 58-50 in the semifinal round. Central Missouri scored a season-low 50 points and failed to make a three-pointer for the first time this season. The last time that happened was also in the MIAA semifinal round, against Fort Hays State in 2014-15.
Ashley Duffy led the Jennies scoring 13 points and went over 500 for her career.
Kayonna Lee scored 11 and
Megan Skaggs was 4-6 for eight points.
Previously vs. Minnesota State-Moorhead
It wasn't too long ago that these teams met. Central Missouri and Minnesota State-Moorhead faced off in the Jennies second regular season game last season in Las Vegas. The Dragons led for much of the game on their way to a 63-58 win. The Jennies outshot the Dragons 39.3%-37.3%, but were outrebounded 43-32.
Jennies in the Rankings
For the seventh straight week, Central Missouri is ranked in the WBCA top-25. They remain at No. 19 this week. The Jens were 25th last week in the media poll, this week they are receiving votes.
In the NCAA Tournament
The last time Central Missouri qualified for a regional championship was in the 2013-14 season. They last won the regional in 1989-90 and last made a regional championship game that same year. After qualifying for regional in the first nine years of the NCAA era, this is their 11th trip in the last 26 years.
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 26 straight games without an opponent reaching 70 points and in 19 of those 26, 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 +12.6. They held ESU, the highest scoring team in the MIAA, to just 28 points in the second half of the MIAA Semifinals.
Whatever You Do, Don't Go Home Early
The Jennies love putting on shows in the fourth quarter. Of their 2,062 points, 531 have come in the fourth quarter, their most in any quarter, and have allowed just 372, their fewest in any quarter. That has helped them to six fourth-quarter comebacks this season. Second-Half Jennies are outscoring opponents by 250 points, 35.8-27.2.
Notable Numbers
• Jennies senior
Ashley Duffy eclipsed 500 career points in the semifinal round against Emporia State and
Kayonna Lee scored point number 250.
• Head Coach
Dave Slifer reached 250 wins at Central Missouri with UCM's quarterfinal round win against Southwest Baptist.
•
Megan Skaggs is one rebound away from reaching 100 for the season.
Queen of Thieves
Last year's MIAA leader in steals is at it again this season. She's come on strong of late with at least two steals in five straight games and 16 in that span. She has moved up to second in the MIAA in steals per game with 2.0 and 55 total.
Scouting the Opposition
Minnesota State-Moorhead Dragons
• Minnesota State-Moorhead earned the No. 3 seed in the central region going 24-4 during the season and 20-2 in the Northern Sun, winning the regular season crown.
• The dragons were knocked out in the Northern Sun Tournament quarterfinal round 54-45 by Sioux Falls. Prior to the NSIC Tournament, Moorhead had won seven straight games.
• Minnesota State-Moorhead commits the fewest turnovers in Division II with just 11.2 turnovers per game and just 313 total. They are fifth in the country in assist to turnover ratio at 1.36:1.
• Three Dragons are scoring in double figures. Drew Sannes leads the team scoring 15.3 points per game and was the Northern Sun Player of the Year. She also is tied for fifth in rebounding in the NSIC with 8.1 and recorded 10 double-doubles. She is also tied for second in the NSIC in blocked shots with 2.4 per game. She has 67 to lead MSUM, 78% of the team's blocks this season.
• Also in double figures are Cassidy Thorson and Jacky Volkert. Thorson was named to the All-NSIC Second Team. She is shooting 41.1% from three, hitting 85-207 and scoring 14.5 points per game. Vokert is scoring 12.4 points per game and is second on the team with 4.5 rebounds per game.
• While the Dragons hang on to the ball better than anyone, they don't force an abundance of turnovers, just 353 on the season and have only seven more steals then their opponents.
• At 70.5 points per game, MSUM is fourth in the Northern Sun in scoring. They're third in field goal percentage, shooting 44%, fifth in 3FG%, 34.4% and second in FT%, 76.5%.
• Volkert leads the Dragons and is second in the Northern Sun with 5.0 assists per game. She's dished out 139 on the season. Natalie VanWyhe is sixth in the MIAA in assist to turnover ratio at 2.83:1 with 102 assists and 36 turnovers.
