Feb. 27, 2009 - The 2008-2009 season draws to a close for the Truman women’s basketball team this Saturday, as the Bulldogs look to end the season on a two-game winning streak when they host the Central Missouri Jennies at 1:00 p.m.
Truman (7-19, 4-15 MIAA) can at best hope for a tie for the No. 8 spot in the MIAA, but due to tiebreaking scenarios, the Bulldogs cannot clinch a berth to next week’s conference tournament.
Central Missouri (17-9, 12-7 MIAA) will be trying to improve its seed, as the Jennies currently hold the No. 4 spot. UCM can finish as high as third or as low as fifth, depending on tie-breakers.
Although Central Missouri escaped with a four point home win in January against Truman, the Bulldogs led by as many as 11 with just six minutes to go in the game. From there, however, the ‘Dogs went cold, converting just two-of-13 field goals in the final minutes to allow UCM to pull out the 59-55 win at the Multipurpose Building in Warrensburg.
Junior Julie Guinn led all Bulldogs with 12 points, while fellow junior Laura Joya wrapped up the night with 11 points, five rebounds and five assists. Sophomore Malorie Kiecker added 11 points and seven rebounds, while senior Georgia Mueller chipped in nine points and 12 rebounds. Kara Fleming led UCM with 18 points (12 from the foul line) and Rebecca Roberts added 10 as the only other Jennie in double-figures.
SERIES INFO:
Central Missouri leads the all-time series 53-6, with the Jennies holding a 23-4 edge in games played in Kirksville.
The last Truman win in Pershing Arena came on Jan. 24, 2007, when Candace McGee picked Lindsey Maple at center-court and fed Katie Fowler for the winning lay-up with just two seconds on the clock. Fowler was one of two Bulldogs in double-figures for the game, as the Bulldogs beat UCM 61-59.
MEET THE COACHES:
Michael Smith is in his first season with the Bulldogs after spending time as an assistant coach at Arkansas-Little Rock and a head coach at Moberly Area Community College. He has a 109-53 (.673) career head coaching record and is 7-19 in his first season at Truman.
Smith is assisted by Taira Roth, who is also in her first season at Truman. Roth came to Truman after working in the same position at Lake Superior (Mich.) State.
Dave Slifer is the head coach of the Jennies, and he is 90-55 (.621) in his fifth season at Central Missouri. He is in his 20th season as a collegiate head coach and sports a career 473-154 record.
SENIOR SPOTLIGHT:
With just one game remaining in the 2008-09 season, the Bulldogs will recognize its three seniors prior to Saturday’s game. They are:
Eli Medina (5-8, G, Kansas City, Mo.; Business Administration major): Eli joined the Bulldog basketball squad this season after four successful years with the volleyball program. After surpassing 1,300 career kills and 1,900 career digs on the volleyball court, Medina has started seven times and played in 19 games for the Bulldog basketball team this winter. Medina is averaging nearly three points and three rebounds per game and ranks fourth on the team in minutes played since the start of February. Eli is the daughter of George and Betsy Medina.
Sarah Gordon (6-4, C, New London, Mo.; Business Administration major): Sarah transferred to Truman prior to her sophomore season from the University of Tennessee-Martin and has seen action in 44 games as a Bulldog. She is a career 43% shooter from the field and has made 84% of her free throws. Sarah has pulled down 22 career offensive rebounds, with half of them coming this season. Sarah is the daughter of Leo and Karla Harrison.
Georgia Mueller (5-11, F, Springfield, Ill.; Mathematics major): Georgia will finish her career as Truman’s second-leading scorer and third-best rebounder after compiling nearly 1,900 points and 875 rebounds as a Bulldog. The two-time first-team all-MIAA pick has played in 109 career games and will tie for third-most all time with today’s games. Georgia has nearly doubled the school’s previous top shot blocker, as her 194 career blocks is nearly 90 more than the current second-place holder. She is a career 51% shooter, converting more than 700 field goals and has made over 400 free throws as a Bulldog. Georgia is the daughter of Daniel and Yvonne Mueller.
SAAC CANNED FOOD DRIVE:
The Truman Student-Athlete Advisory Committee is once again sponsoring their canned food drive this year. Fans are being offered free admission to Saturday’s game if they bring a minimum of one can of food. For more information, contact the Truman Athletics office.
ALL-CONFERENCE AWARDS:
The MIAA will release its 2008-09 all-conference teams next Monday, with full recognition to take place during the conference tournament in Kansas City. Full coverage of the release will be posted on Truman’s athletics Web site - gobulldogs.truman.edu.