On Saturday the Lions will look to avenge their upset losses to Fort Hays State.

Missouri Southern traveled to Hays, Kan., two Saturdays ago and they were swept out of the building. The Lady Tigers are ranked near the bottom of the MIAA and clinging to a postseason spot.

The Southern women, led by the suddenly dynamic duo of junior point guard India Wood and senior forward Tynesha Pierce, have started to play the way they were expected to all year. During conference play, Wood and Pierce are averaging 12.4 and 12.6 points respectively.

On Wednesday, the Lions fell to Washburn 72-59. Fatai Hala’Api’Api led the Lions with 19 points.

Fort Hays beat the Lions two weeks ago in Hays 70-59. Sophomore guard Naomi Bancroft led the Lady Tigers onslaught with 24 points highlighted by six three-pointers.

The Lions are currently 6-5 in conference putting them in fifth place in the MIAA standings through Wednesday meanwhile, Fort Hays is 3-7 and in ninth place.

For the outcome to change against the Lady Tigers this time around, the Lions need to play with more intensity. Southern is better than just about every team they play but it just seems they come off as lackadaisical. Also, the Lions need to do a better job guarding Bancroft, especially beyond the arc.

The men will play against the Tigers immediately after the women’s game.

The Southern men are currently in second place in the MIAA with a conference record of 8-3 while Fort Hays’ men are 6-4 and in third place.

Two weeks ago in Hays, Kan., the Tigers beat the Lions 82-76. Fort Hays was led in scoring by junior guard Tyrone Evans who scored 24 points on the night.

On Wednesday the Lions defeated the Washburn Ichabods 65-56. Junior guard Tony Webb led the Lions offensively with 21 points.