Men's Basketball | 1/24/2012 5:43:00 PM
CLOSING OUT
The Hornets close out a three game homestand when Missouri Western comes to town on Jan. 25. The Hornets have four remaining home games and five games left away from home.
LAST TIMEOUT
ESU shot a season low .261 from the field as they hit only 12 total field goals in a 71-45 loss to Northwest Missouri. Tola Lawal scored eight points from the free throw line as he was the only Hornets in double figures with 12 points on the night. Taylor Euler hit two three pointers and added eight points while Chris Sights finished with nine points and five rebounds. Travis Dykman led the way with six rebounds.
THE COACHES
Shaun Vandiver is 8-9 in his first year at ESU. The former NBA round draft pick spent the last ten years as an assistant coach at the NCAA Division I level, most recently at Boise State University. As a player he led Hutchinson CC’s to the 1988 NJCAA National Championship before earning first-team All-Big 8 honors at Colorado. He is 1-0 in his career against Missouri Western.
Tom Smith is 433-256 in 24 seasons at Missouri Western. He is 605-440 in 36 years in his career. He is 33-13 in his career against the Hornets .
SCOUTING THE GRIFFONS
Missouri Western is 6-11, 1-10 in MIAA play this season. They are led by James Harris who is averaging 13.3 points per game. TJ Johnson is averaging 13.1 points per game. Five of their 11 losses have been by four points or less.
SERIES HISTORY
This will be the 69th meeting between the two teams with Missouri Western holding a 41-27 overall advantage. The Hornets have won three of the last four and five straight on their home court.
LAST TIME VS. MWSU
Chris Sights hit a three-pointer with 20.2 seconds to play to cap off an 11-3 run for ESU in a 59-57 come from behind victory at Missouri Western. The Hornets held the Griffons without a field goal for the final 8:02 after MWSU had taken a seven point lead. Derrell Conner led the Hornets with 15 points on the afternoon. Troy Pierce had his second double-double of the season with ten points and ten rebounds. Chris Sights and Tola Lawal added 11 points.
UP NEXT
The Hornets will travel to Truman on Jan. 28 as they hit the road for two straight. Tip-off is scheduled for 3 p.m. from Kirksville, Mo.
