Game Notes

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Bolivar, Mo. - SBU returns home for senior night to take on the Griffons of Missouri Western. 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 the 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.

Lynn Plett begins his fourth season as the MWSU women's basketball coach. Coach Plett came to MWSU from Lewis University in Romeoville, Illinois where he led the Flyers program for the previous five season (2002-2007).

Missouri Western leads SBU in the all-time series, 33-11.

Last Time Out for the Bearcats

The SBU women's basketball team played a hard fought battle against the #18 Bearcats of Northwest Missouri, but came up short in the end 54-67. “We executed and stayed disciplined on defense,” head coach J.C. Carter stated after the game.

Junior forward LaKendra Smith had an excellent game once again. Smith was 1 rebound away from having her 3rd consecutive double-double, finishing the game with 11 points and 9 rebounds. Freshman forward Jacqui Zelenka scored 10 points in the loss, giving the Bearcats a strong presence down low. “Kendra and Jacqui have been giving us great minutes,” coach Carter stated after the game. “They have been doing a phenomenal job and playing they are playing their best basketball of the season right now.” Senior guard Ashleigh Gallio contributed 9 assists in the loss.

“Tonight was one of our best defensive efforts all season,” coach Carter stated about his team. “All seven players played hard and gave it everything.” SBU was able to hold Northwest Missouri to is second lowest point total of the regular season, allowing only 67 points.

As a team, SBU shot 34.0% from the field, 29.6% from beyond the arc, and 76.9% from the stripe. The SBU bench was able to outscore Northwest's bench 19-6.

Quick Hits

• Junior forward Lakendra Smith missed her third consecutive double-double by one rebound, finish with 11 points and 9 rebounds against NW Missouri (Feb 23).

• Senior Ashleigh Gallio dished out a career high 9 assists against NW Missouri (Feb. 23)

• Junior forward LaKendra Smith is the leading scorer for the Bearcats, averaging 10.0 points per game. Senior forward Whitney Malone is the Bearcats leading rebounder, averaging 7.2 rebounds per game.

• Freshman forward Jacqui Zelenka is shooting 53.0% from the field, ranking her 5th in the MIAA.

• Senior guard Ashleigh Gallio is 2nd in the MIAA in minutes played per game, averaging 37.1 minutes, and 4th in the MIAA for assists per game (4.2).

• The Bearcat women have an overall record of 8-17 (5-16 MIAA). SBU averages 62.9 points per game (10th in MIAA).

Scouting the Griffons

The Griffons of Missouri Western State University are currently ranked 8th in the conference, with a season record of 14-11 (11-10 MIAA). Offensively the Griffons average 67.6 points per game (5th in MIAA), defensively Mo. Western allows an average of 63.4 points per game (5th in MIAA).

Jessica Koch is the leader scorer for the Missouri Western Griffons. Koch averages 16.1 points per game. She also leads the Griffons in assists averaging 4.0 per game.