Jennies Basketball Prepares For Busy Week Ahead

WARRENSBURG, Mo. (Feb. 3, 2021) - Central Missouri Jennies Basketball is getting ready for a three-game road trip that sees them playing three games in six days.

Opponents
Pittsburg State Gorillas (10-5, 10-5 MIAA)
Missouri Southern Lions (6-9, 6-9 MIAA)
Emporia State Hornets (10-3, 10-3 MIAA)

Where
Thursday - John Lance Arena - Pittsburg, Kan.
Saturday - Leggett & Platt Athletic Center - Joplin, Mo.
Tuesday - White Auditorium - Emporia, Kan.

When:
Thursday, Feb. 4 - 5:30 p.m. at Pittsburg State
Saturday, Feb. 6 - 1:30 p.m. at Missouri Southern
Tuesday, Feb. 9 - 5:30 p.m. at Emporia State

Fan Information:
In Pittsburg
• Pittsburg State's John Lance Arena 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.
• 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.
In Joplin
• There will be no visiting fans permitted for Saturday's game at Missouri Southern. 
In Emporia
• The only visiting fans allowed must be on an approved player pass list.
• Masks are required by all fans, workers, administrators, coaches, and participants always. Fans can remove masks when they are actively drinking and eating

On the Air:
• Home games will be broadcast on 1450 KOKO, 98.5 The Bar and now the all new 107.9 fm. You can also stream online at 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
• Central Missouri wrapped up their four game homestand winning all four games. They now hit the road for three straight and five of their next six. 
• First up this weekend is Pittsburg State and Missouri Southern. The Jennies will then make up their game against Emporia State next Tuesday, originally scheduled for Dec. 19. 

Storylines
• Central Missouri has compiled a winning record against both opponents, going 45-23 against the Lions and 35-25 all time against the Gorillas. 
• UCM has won eight 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. The win back in November gave the Jennies three straight wins over the Gorillas for the first time since winning four straight from 2013-2016. 
• UCM has won two straight over Emporia State. They last time they won three straight was from 2006-07. All-time in Emporia, the Jennies are 11-22 but just 3-20 since 1997. 

Last Time Out
• The Jennies finished off their homestand with wins over Northwest Missouri and Missouri Western. The Jennies allowed just 96 combined points in the two games, putting up a strong defensive effort. Nija Collier scored 21 points in each game and averaged 12 rebounds earning her second MIAA Athlete of the Week award this season. 

Previously vs. Pittsburg State/Missouri Southern/Emporia State
• The Jennies handled the Gorillas easily in the second game of the season 78-61. In her first career game, Graycen Holden was 9-9 for 22 points with 6 rebounds, 3 blocks and 3 steals. 
• The season started with the Jennies picking up a 78-52 win over Missouri Southern. Brooke Littrell had a 13-point, 10-rebound double-double. Nija Collier scored 18 with 9 boards. 
• The Jennies won the MIAA Tournament against the Hornets last March 78-73 outscoring ESU 27-13 in the fourth quarter to overcome a seven-point deficit heading to the fourth.

Jennies in the Rankings
• In the first WBCA poll of the season Central Missouri ranks 21st. 
• In the latest D2SIDA poll, despite winning two games the Jennies fell to No. 19 this week after being ranked 17th last week. 
• The defending MIAA Champion Jennies were picked to finish third this year by the league's coaches. They did receive three first-place votes. 

Individual Milestones
• Charley Bovaird needs just two points for 100. 
• Gigi McAtee's is four 3FGM away from 50. 
• Nija Collier has entered the all-time UCM top-10 for blocks at 77. She needs 5 more for 8th.

Who's Hot?
• Nija Collier has stepped up her game scoring 21 points in three of her last four with two double-doubles in that stretch.
• Another senior, Gigi McAtee is shooting and finding more success. She has 28 points in her last  four games after scoring just 30 in the first 10. 
• Kade Hackerott has placed 10+ minutes each of the last three games. She's got 13 points and nine rebounds in her last five games. 

Thieves in the Night
• Central Missouri is 11th in the NCAA in steals and leads the MIAA with 133. They also are second in the MIAA in steals per game with 9.5.
• Morgan VanHyfte has been the leading swiper. She has 38 steals to lead the MIAA.

Free-bees
• Central Missouri is fifth in the NCAA this season in free throws made. They've hit 209 of 273 and their 76.6 FT% is 32nd in D2.

Scouting the Opposition
Pittsburg State Gorillas (10-5, 10-5 MIAA)
• Pittsburg State is one of the hottest teams in the MIAA having won 10 of their past 12 games. 
• Three of the Gorillas five losses have come at home
• Three Gorillas are in double-figure scoring led by Tristan Gegg's 17.3 points per game. More than half of her attempts have come from three where she's hit on 34, 31.5%.
• The reigning co-MIAA Athlete of the Week Kaylee DaMitz is scoring 16.7 points per game. She's also one of the best passers in the league with 5.6 rebounds per game and a 2:1 assist to turnover ratio.
• The Gorillas are the top free throw shooting team in the MIAA. They've hit on 80% at the line this season and both Gegg and DaMitz are hitting at 85% or better.
• Pittsburg State's defense leaves a lot to be desired. They are in the bottom half in blocks and steals. 
Player to Watch
#1 Maya Williams (5-7, G Fr., Kansas City, Kan.) - 10.5 ppg, 33% 3FG, 5.8 rebounds per game

Missouri Southern Lions (6-9, 6-9 MIAA)
• Missouri Southern won two straight on the road before falling Tuesday evening at home to Northwest Missouri. Playing in Joplin this season, the Lions are 3-3, though have lost their last three home contests.
• The Lions are very much in the middle of the pack in the MIAA in most statistical categories. They're scoring 64.7 points per game which is eighth and allowing 67.6 which is ninth.
• Carley Turnbull is their leading scoring averaging 14 points per game.
• Madi Stokes leads the MIAA coming down with 11.8 rebounds per game and with 34 blocked shots.
• The Lions are third in the league averaging 3.8 blocked shots per game.
• MSSU looses the ball more than 16 times per game and only forces 5.6 steals per game. Their -1.87 turnover margin is 12th of 14 teams in the MIAA. 
Player to Watch
#31 Madi Stokes (6-3, C, So. Cassville, Mo.) - Averages a double-double 11.1 ppg, 11.8 rpg

Emporia State Hornets (10-3, 10-3 MIAA)
• The Hornets have won six of their last seven games heading into the February 4 & 6 weekend. 
• When the Jennies roll into town, it'll be their fourth game in eight days and third straight at home where they are currently 4-1.
• The Hornets love to shoot from behind the arc. They've hit 141 three's this season to lead the MIAA and have the second most in Division II. 
• The only team in the MIAA with more steals than the Jennies are the Hornets who average 9.9 Tre'Zure Jobe also leads the MIAA in steals per game with 2.8
• Emporia State is not great on the glass with a -3.8 rebounding margin which is 10th in the MIAA. But they are adept at offensive rebounds with 11.2 which is sixth in the league.  
Player to Watch
#25 Karsen Schultz(5-10, G, Jr., Alma, Kan.) - 12.8 ppg, 5.8 rpg, 40.5% 3FG