Warrensburg, Mo. (Dec. 6, 1999) -- The Central Missouri State University basketball Jennies play their final two games prior to the Christmas holiday this week. They first head to Sioux City, Iowa, on Wednesday to face Morningside College at 7 p.m., then return home on Saturday to host William Woods University at 5:30 p.m. Saturday's contest will be the opening game of a doubleheader at the CMSU Multipurpose Building as the CMSU Mules face former conference rival Lincoln University at 7:30 p.m.

The Jennies will enter Wednesday's game with a 4-1 record and a three-game win streak. They won both of their outings at the Torneo Cancun de Basquetbol (Cancun Basketball Tournament) during Thanksgiving weekend, beating the University of Southern Colorado 64-53 in the first round on Nov. 26 and Bemidji State University 89-64 in the title tilt on Nov. 28, then returned home on Dec. 4 to top Friends University 91-38.

Morningside College will put a 1-4 record on the line Wednesday. The Mustangs will be looking to halt a four-game losing streak after falling 115-61 to crosstown rival Briar Cliff College on Saturday and 103-53 at Wayne (Neb.) State College on Sunday. Morningside, which was 7-20 a year ago, beat the University of Minnesota-Crookston 73-62 in its season opener on Nov. 19, but has since dropped decisions at Bemidji State (95-66) and at home to Truman State University (89-71).

William Woods took a 3-5 record into last week's action that included a Dec. 1 home game against Avila College and a trip to St. Louis, Mo., for two outings in the Missouri Baptist College Tournament on Dec.3-4. The Owls, who were 17-16 last season, also host Culver-Stockton College on Wednesday.

In their win over Friends, the Jennies had four players in double-figures, led by guard Lori Nichols (So., Nevada, Mo., NHS) with 19 points. Forward Kelly Sutton (Jr., St. Louis, Mo., Parkway South H.S./Univ. of Evansville) was next with 13, while guard Carlonda Pettiford (Fr., Indianapolis, Ind., Lawrence Central H.S.) scored a career-high 11 and guard Marlies Ozias (Jr., Centerview, Mo., Crest Ridge H.S.) had 10.

Nichols was named MVP at the Cancun Tournament after totaling 32 points in the two games, including a team-high 20 in the championship contest, as well as 10 rebounds, four assists, one blocked shot and one steal. She was joined on the all-tourney team by center Katie Vaske [So., Bancroft, Iowa, Bishop Garrigan H.S. (Algona, Iowa)], who posted two-game totals of 21 points, 19 rebounds, two assists and a steal.