There is a full slate of college games to enjoy this week, the first featuring our Division 1 program. The Missouri State Bears will host Oral Roberts on Wednesday at 4:00 pm at Plaster Stadium. A final non-Conference game before closing out the regular season with six MVC games. The Golden Eagles just beat Centenary 2-1, a team the Bear’s clobbered 4-0. Then again, the Eagles beat Central Arkansas 2-1 while the Bears ended in a 0-0 draw against UCA. The Bear’s are coming off their win at Bradley so I’m counting on them continuing their run.

Southwest Baptist visits Missouri Southern on Thursday at 7:00 pm. Both teams are struggling this year in the MIAA which makes this local derby that much more important. The first game was a 4-3 overtime thriller in the Bearcat’s favor. Both teams include two or more local players in the regular lineup, get out and cheer your favorites on!

Drury vs Northern Kentucky on Friday. The games have major implications for both the men and the women, consider taking a 1/2 day off and coming out. The women play at 11:00 am and the men at 1:30 pm at Harrison.

The women now have a log-jam at the top with five teams tied for the lead in the GLVC with matching 8-2 records. There are only 4 games remaining in Conference play

The men, with their 10-0 Conference record, have already clinched a playoff berth. Based upon what we’ve seen thus far this season, that will not be enough as we know they are pursuing the national title. They face their primary regional challenger, besides Truman State, with NKU’s visit. Northern Kentucky (11-2-1, 8-2-1 in the GLVC) lost 3-2 in overtime last year at Harrison when the Norse were unbeaten and ranked No. 1 in the nation. Payback, and pursuit of their own goals, make this one of the most important games we will see locally this year. You need to be there!

By the way, Drury is initiating Panther Party which will kick off Tuesday night from 5:30 to 7 p.m. at the Doubletree Hotel (at the corner of N. Glenstone and E. Kearney). The Panther Parties will provide Drury fans of all Panther sports teams to come together in one environment for an after-hours session of socializing while receiving information on the latest events involving DU Athletics. Drury will provide a free appetizer bar each time, with a cash bar available for beverage purchases, and the adjacent Houlihan’s restaurant connected to the Doubletree will be offering drink specials throughout the evening to Drury boosters in attendance. Fans will also have a chance to purchase the latest in DU Athletics gear and some will walk away with free gear as we plan to give away several door prizes each time at the event, where the attire is business casual.

The initial Panther Party will include a brief 30-minute informational program – sandwiched between the social/mingling opportunities – and featuring updates on the O’Reilly Family Event Center, the upcoming Drury Athletics Auction, an introduction of new Drury spirit groups for basketball games as well as brief updates from DU soccer coaches Ryan Swan and Alf Bilbao and volleyball coach Ashleigh Shear, with other DU coaches in attendance as well.

There is no need to RSVP for the Panther Party … simply show up and have a great time!