WARRENSBURG, Mo. (Nov. 27, 2020) - Central Missouri Jennies Basketball looks to make it a 2-0 start to their season as they close out their opening week at home tomorrow afternoon.
Opponent
Pittsburg State Gorillas (1-1, 1-1 MIAA)
Where
Warrensburg, Mo. - UCM Multipurpose Building
When
Saturday, Nov. 28 - 1 p.m.
Fan Information
• The UCM Multipurpose Building is limited to 25% capacity. Fans are strongly encourage to purchase their tickets in advance at the link above.
• Face masks are required at all times while on the UCM campus.
• Fans are strongly encouraged to socially distance themselves when seated and only sit with the group they entered the facility with.
• Restrooms and east-end concessions will be open, but fans are asked not to congregate in hallways or the lobby.
• There will be no reserved seating for visiting fans behind the visiting bench.
On the Air
• Home games will be broadcast on 1450 KOKO, 98.5 The Bar and warrensburgradio.com with Greg Hassler calling the action.
• All games will also be webcast online through the MIAA's Blue Frame portal at http://www.themiaanetwork.com/ucmmules/.
• Links to live stats and live video can also be found at ucmathletics.com.
Tip-Off
• MIAA Basketball is back! The Jennies are set to play a 22-game schedule starting this week at home against Missouri Southern and Pittsburg State.
• These will be the first contests for UCM since winning the MIAA Championship back on March 8.
Storylines
• Central Missouri has undergone a facelift. There are seven freshman on this year's squad, and some could see significant time.
• Central Missouri has compiled a winning record against both opponents, going 44-23 against the Lions and 34-25 all time against the Gorillas.
• UCM has won seven straight against the Lions.
• After trading wins for six consecutive games, the Jennies finally won two straight over the Gorillas sweeping them last year. It was the first time UCM won two straight over PSU since January of 2015 and 2016. It was their first time beating them twice in the same season since 2006.
Last Time Out
• The Jennies came back from down seven in the second half to defeat Emporia State 82-75 in the MIAA Tournament Championship.
Nija Collier recorded her 11th double-double with 20 points and 11 rebounds.
Morgan Fleming was co-MVP of the Tournament. The Jennies were set to host the NCAA Regional Championship, but the postseason was canceled due to COVID-19.
Previously vs. Missouri Southern/Pittsburg State
• Central Missouri could do no wrong at Missouri Southern in their 74-39 win. They raced out to a 24-10 lead after one quarter and held the Lions to just six points in both the second and third quarter. Ten different Jennies scored and four were in double-figures.
•
Megan Skaggs scored 22 and was 4-5 from three in the Jennies 72-60 win to close out the regular season last year.
Nija Collier had a double-double with 14 points and 12 rebounds.
Jennies in the Rankings
• There won't be a WBCA poll for the 2020-21 season until January.
• The defending MIAA Champion Jennies were picked to finish third this year by the league's coaches. They did recieve three first-place votes.
Individual Milestones
•
Nija Collier's 57 blocks are fourth in a single-season at UCM. She needs five more to get to third. She is 14 rebounds away from 300 which would make her eighth to ever reach 300 rebounds in a season at UCM. She is currently 10th on the single-season list.
•
Gigi McAtee is 8 assists away from 100 for her career.
•
Morgan VanHyfte is 24 points away from 300 for her career.
Starting Strong
• The Jennies are bringing back three of their five starters from a year ago in
Gigi McAtee,
Nija Collier and
Morgan VanHyfte. Those three combined for 693 points, 32% of the Jennies total and 475 rebounds, 39% of UCM's total rebounds.
Have We Met?
• UCM has seven freshman for the 2020-21 season their most since welcoming five in 2015. The magnificent seven include
Olivia Nelson,
Kade Hackerott,
Graycen Holden,
Charley Bovaird,
Makenna Vanzant,
Ali Vigil and
Brooke Littrell. All seven are 1,000 career point scorers and the group includes All-Americans, MVP's and State Champions.
Schedule Changes
• The Jennies game at Lincoln, originally scheduled for Saturday, Nov. 21 has been moved to Saturday, Dec. 12 with a 1 p.m. tipoff.
Scouting the Opposition
Pittsburg State Gorillas (1-1, 1-1 MIAA)
• Three of the Gorillas four leading scorers are back from a year ago including Tristen Gegg and her 17.9 points per game which led the league. Gegg hit 34% of her three-pointers making 64
• Also back are Kaylee DaMitz and Maya Williams. DaMitz led the MIAA in assists with 5.5 per game and Williams was eighth in rebounding.
• Pittsburg State was the only team in the MIAA to be in the top-five in scoring offense and bottom-five in scoring defense. They ranked fifth scoring 74.3 points per game and 11th allowing 68.
• The Gorillas finished last year third in the MIAA shooting 43.7% from the floor. Williams helped out shooting almost 48%.
• Pittsburg State made 79% of their free throws to rank second in the MIAA. Both Gegg and DaMitz were over 86% and in the top-three in the MIAA.
• PSU was picked to finish fourth in the league by the coaches in the preseason poll.
Player to Watch
#10 Tristen Gegg (5-7, FG Jr., Altamont, Kan.) - MIAA leader in points and FT percentage
