Many citizens of Saint Joseph woke up Thursday to read the shocking news that as most people slept comfortably snug in their beds, there had been a shooting on the campus grounds. Before knowing much more, instinct was to think that it had finally happened. Fear whispered that the outbreak of students violently lashing out had finally come to St. Joe. Echoes of Illinois and Virginia Tech rang throughout the Joe-town zeitgeist. Thankfully by reading on in the news, it could be clearly revealed that was not the case at all. (Full story)

Snapping a seven game losing streak and entering into a three-way tie for the last two MIAA post-season tournament spots, the Griffons out hustled the Truman State Bulldogs, 93-78, at the MWSU Fieldhouse.

The Griffons, (10-13 overall and 5-10 in the MIAA) fired on all cylinders as they dominated most of the game leading by as much as 25 points. The Griffons were led in scoring by senior Jill Johnson, who racked up a career high 39 points and 16 rebounds, followed by teammate Yanique Javois, who amassed 32 points and nine boards of her own. Johnson’s double-double gives her eight on the season and fourteen in her career.

The team as a whole played well Wednesday night, as they were able to stay ahead most of the ballgame. Head Coach Lynn Plett agrees the team did an outstanding job. (Full story)

If you thought for a second that all this girl could do is play basketball, you are dead wrong. Point guard and soon to be Missouri Western Alumni on May 10, Chemia Woods, has proven a lot of people wrong in her life and is not done yet by a long shot.

Being a success has not always been so easy for this southern belle, as she found out about the tribulations of life at an early age.  Woods was originally born in Dallas, Texas, but moved to Arkansas when she was four. It was also the time her parents’ divorced and she learned of the harsh realities of life.

“There were times growing up when I wanted to have a father figure in my life, but I wouldn’t change it for anything in the world.” Through this adversity, Woods unearthed valuable life lessons she would take with her in the future.

(Full story)

The Missouri Western’s basketball team has been getting all the breaks this season, in all the wrong ways.

The women’s basketball team have lost two key players to injuries. The first player they lost was junior, Amanda Thomas. She was supposed to be a key contributor to the team this season.

They just recently  lost Lauren Nolke. She is a freshman who has been playing well for the Griffons. She is currently out of action with a sprained ankle. She was starting to hit her stride and was really helping the team.

The biggest blow came at the beginning of the season when the Griffons found out Ashleigh Curry was ineligible for this season. She is currently taking a red shirt and will be available next season for the Griffons. Curry was a star on last seasons conference championship team. (Full story)

In championship fashion, the Griffons (9-6) edged out the Gorillas, and gave the 1,388 fans in attendance at the MWSU Fieldhouse a game to remember.

Coming off of two straight conference wins against Central Missouri and Fort Hays State, the Griffons were able to make it three in a row in the MIAA (4-3) by defeating the Pittsburg State Gorillas 77-75 in a nail-biter that came down to the wire.

Missouri Western went into the half, leading 38-31. The Gorillas kept it close the rest of the game. Even with the Griffons leading by as much as thirteen, the game was a back and forth battle. But in the last minute of the contest, the Griffons would learn how crucial it would really become. 

(Full story)

The womens basketball team is off to a slow start. Their record is currently 6-6. After last year’s phenomenal year, the bar was set high for this team.

The loss of their head coach and key players really hurt the team. The team needs to find a way to play better together. New head coach, Lynn Plett, believes the team needs to find cohesiveness with each other.

“We need to have all five players play consistently together,” Plett said. (Full story)

Western’s Lady Griffons wins over Texas Women’s University, 86-82.
Jill Johnson scored 30 points and Yanique Javois scored 25 points to help win the game