Starting Five - Storylines for the William Jewell Game
1) Missouri State has continued its tradition of strong defensive play. The Lady Bears currently own the 18th-best three-point defense in the nation with a .211 percentage, while also ranking in the top 50 in scoring defense (55.2) and in the top 30 in blocks per game (5.3). MSU faced a Virginia Tech squad that ranked second in the nation in 3FG% and held them below their season average.
2) According to HerHoopStats.com, senior
Jasmine Franklin is currently the only player in NCAA Division I averaging over 15.5 points, 13.5 rebounds, 2 steals and 2 blocks per game in 2021-22. Franklin has recorded a double-double in five of six games this season, which ranks third in the nation. She currently ranks in the top 25 nationally in five categories (blocks/game, def. rebounds/game, double-doubles, rebounds and rebounds/game).
3) Missouri State is 24-1 at home under Coach Mox and since the start of the 2019-20 season, MSU's 24-1 home record has come by an average score of 76.0-58.0 with a plus-10.9 rebound margin. The Lady Bears are 49-7 in their last 56 home games, beginning Feb. 10, 2017.
4) The San Juan Shootout provided breakout performances for a couple of key players on Missouri State's roster. Senior
Sydney Wilson recorded back-to-back season-high scoring performances and averaged 17.5 ppg against two Power Five opponents. Meanwhile, Abi Jackson dropped a career-high 18 points in her first-ever start as a Lady Bear against then-No. 24 Virginia Tech.
5) Missouri State is 77-12 overall since Dec. 20, 2018, ranking seventh nationally in total wins since that date and fifth in win percentage (.865), trailing only Baylor, UConn, FGCU and South Carolina. Five teams ahead of the Lady Bears on the wins list have been ranked No. 1 in the AP Poll over that span.
The Opponent
William Jewell is currently 0-5 to begin the 2021-22 season and began GLVC-play on Monday, Nov. 29. The Cardinals are led by Kate Hillyer who averages 8.6 ppg and 4.6 rpg. Katie Knock leads Willliam Jewell with eight assists and four blocks this season, while Bailey Russell leads the team with nine steals. The Cardinals have had 12 players appears in at least three games this season.The matchup against the Lady Bears will be counted as an exhibition for William Jewell.
Series History
Missouri State and William Jewell will face off for the second time in the programs' histories on Friday. MSU leads the all-time series 1-0 after winning the first-ever matchup between the Lady Bears and Cardinals, 111-39, on Dec. 31, 2019 in Springfield.
