I decided to go with a different blog format for Saturday. Teams don't really change their stripes 20 games into the season, and the keys to success, and harbingers for failure, for both Western hoops squads has been pretty well covered in this space.

Instead, here are 10 reasons Western swept its first MIAA doubleheader in 13 months on Saturday.

10. Because despite 21 turnovers, the Western men handled Southern's pressure and only let the Lions' defense turn Griffon mistakes into quick points on a couple of occasions. On a side note, it's strange that the Griffons turned it over just three times and lost to Fort Hays and gave it away 21 times against the Lions and won easily.

9. Because Tierra Ford is one tough customer in the paint for the Western women. Her headlock takedown of Danielle DeVader after a battle for position in the block was great. Ford will not be intimidated or pushed around, and you need players like that in this conference.

8. Because the Western men came out with a focus and determination, playing for their season, that would've knocked back just about every team except maybe Central Missouri. Southern just had to hold on for 10 minutes and hope for the best.

7. Because Dominique Thuston knocked down his first shot a 3-pointer from the right wing. The sophomore is streaky and usually goes the way of his first few minutes. Thuston scored eight points in the first 6:06 and didn't stop hitting the rest of the way.

6. Because the Western women's starters didn't fatigue. Four of the five played at least 33 minutes with London Houchin and Lauren Nolke playing all 40 minutes. Coach Lynn Plett only used one reserve for more than five minutes essentially going with a six-play rotation. But Western didn't wilt in the final minutes and held off a hot Southern team quite easily.

5. Because the Western women blocked out in the second half, giving up eight offensive rebounds in the final 20 minutes. That doesn't sound great, but for this team it was an accomplishment. Southern coach Maryann Mitts remarked afterward that her team didn't get any second chances when the Lions desperately needed a boost to snap them out of the worst shooting performance I can remember at the college level. Rachel Luteyn got tough inside, and Western's guards also did their part blocking out, which has been rare at times.

4. Because Mitts and assistant Ronda Hubbard overcoach. They yell their players through every moment of a game in a way that has to grate on the Lions. Southern isn't allowed to read, react and just play the game on their own.

3. Because Thuston stayed out of foul trouble. During their two-game losing streak, the Griffons played much of the game with their leading scorer sitting on the bench in foul trouble. Southern's DaRell Crittendon and Vincent Ateba didn't take the contact to Thuston like Washburn and Hays did.

2. Because Luteyn's four first-half blocks. The Western forward gave the Southern women ample reason not to come inside, including an emphatic swat to close the first half. In the second half, Southern seemed much more content to chuck up 3s, which certainly didn't aid its cause.

1.Because Leonard Parker decided he would not be denied in the second half. With the Southern men making a run and threatening to erase the Griffons; big lead, Parker grabbed to steals to wrestle monument back, continually got in the lane and broke down the Lions defense and was the man behind the curtain of the Lonnel Johnson-Thuston show.