SBU Game #17
at Missouri Southern
Saturday January 29, 2011
Leggett & Platt Athletic Center - Joplin, Mo.
5:30

Game Notes

LIVE: Audio | Video | Stats

THE OPENING TIP
After beating the Blue Tigers of Lincoln University, the Bearcat women travel to Joplin, Mo. to face the Missouri Southern Lions. The game can be found live on 99.9 KBFL, and streaming online at www.radiospringfield.com. A live webcast will be available as well, at www.AmericaOne.com.

THE COACHES AND ALL-TIME SERIES
SBU head coach J.C. Carter is in his third season on the Bearcat bench, where his teams have shown improvement each season. Last year's 10-18 mark was two games better than Carter's first year in Bolivar.
After nine straight winning seasons, Maryann Mitts is the winningest coach in Missouri Southern history. The Lions have averaged 17 wins during Mitts' nine years at the helm and have finished in the upper echelon of the highly competitive Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association six of those nine yers.
Missouri Southern leads the series, Which back to 1975, 37-18. The Lions have taken six of the last eight meetings against SBU.

LAST TIME OUT FOR THE BEARCATS
The SBU Bearcats (7-9, 4-8 MIAA) had a strong team performance as they defeated the Lincoln Blue Tigers 63-60 tonight at Meyer Sports Center in Bolivar. Senior Ashleigh Gallio lead the Bearcats tonight with 11 points and 7 assists while playing a team high 38 minutes in the contest.

To go along with Gallio's strong performance, the Bearcat women had three other players score in double digits. Freshman Jacqui Zelenka posted 12 points, 5 rebounds, and 2 steals, junior Lakendra Smith scored 10 points and pulled down 8 rebounds, and sophomore Kourtni Williams scored 11 points. “Tonight was the best energy for 40 minutes we have had all season” head coach J.C. Carter stated after the game. “Our bench had great energy, and I liked our focus tonight. We need to keep it up.”

As a team, the Bearcats shot 47.1% from the field, 38.5% from beyond the arc, and 76.9% from the stripe.

QUICK HITS

•Freshman Jacqui Zelenka was the leading scorer for the Bearcats against the Lincoln Blue Tigers, with 12 points. Zelenka also had two steals, and one assists. The Forward from Mackay, Australia averages 9.9 points per game and has a total of five blocks this season.

• Senior Ashleigh Gallio scored 11 points last Tuesday (Jan. 25) against the Blue Tigers. Gallio also helped the Bearcats with 7 assists. She averages 36.7 minutes per game (2nd in the MIAA), 9.8 points per game, and 4 assists per game.

• Lakendra Smith and Kourtni Williams both played a big role in the win against Lincoln University scoring a combined 21 points. Smith also had 8 rebounds against the Blue Tigers.

• Senior forward Whitney Malone is one of the front-runners for the MIAA All-Defense team. Malone averages 8.2 rebounds per game. Defensively, Malone has an average of 6.4 rebounds (2nd in the MIAA).

• The Bearcat women have an overall record of 7-9 (4-8 MIAA). Offensively SBU averages 64.5 points per game (9th in MIAA). Defensively SBU conceives an average of 65.5 points per game (9th MIAA).

Scouting the Lions
Missouri Southern State University holds the fourth seat in the MIAA standings, with a record of 12-4 (9-3 in the conference). The Lions average 66.6 points per game, and conceive an average of 63.3 points per game.

Jasmine Lovejoy is the leader scorer for the Lions with an average of 17.4 points per game (2nd in MIAA). She also averages 2.8 assists per game, and 7.9 rebounds per game. Last time for the Lions, Lovejoy played 38 minute against the Truman Bulldogs. She scored 19 points, had four assists, and three steals.