MIAA Tournament blog: Day 2 running diary For the first round of the women's tournament, I took a stab at a running diary, which seemed to be going well until I actually had to do real work during the second session. Here are the mixed results.

10:30 a.m. -- I greet the wake-up call with a groan, wondering if a night out in Power and Light that included mechanical bull riding was a prudent decision. Upon further consideration, it still was a great choice. But I feel the need to draw a distinction between the Southern contingent (refused to ride) and the Emporia folks (who all took their best shot at eight seconds). The Hornets are not afraid.

11:58 p.m. -- I'm trying to figure out why one of Emporia State's assistant coaches is rocking suspenders and a belt. Suspenders are a bold statement, which I respect, but the belt seems unnecessary for those of us who don't have a phobia of losing our pants.

12:09 p.m. -- Former Truman women's coach John Sloop paints a lonely figure, sitting in the corner of Municpal by himself. You might recall Sloop going off at last year's tournament about his players' superior academic credentials following the Bulldogs' upset of Emporia. He's back in a civilian capacity and clapping for the Hornets' introductions in their first-round matchup against Baptist. I wish Sloop and his faux turtlenecks all the best.

12:33 p.m. – We have our first air ball free throw of the tournament thanks to Emporia's Brittney Miller.

12:51 p.m. – MIAA commissioner Jim Johnson honors the Baptist men with the regular-season championship trophy during halftime of the first women's game. Awkward. A morose looking bunch of Bearcats have to prompted by a photographer to hold up the trophy for a photo-op.

1:10 p.m. -- The Emporia band, my favorite in the conference, didn't show up for the men's game Thursday, but they're here today in full force, belting on anything from Van Halen to Reel Big Fish. Did I mention those Hornets are not afraid?

1:25 p.m. -- Matt Rogers – the league's MVP – is sitting across the way, wearing some sort of net-headband-hat. I feel like he should be back in Bolivar on bed rest.

2:20 p.m. -- Everyone in Municipal Auditorium should be bracing themselves for the two hours of screaming that is about to ensue courtesy of Southern coach Mary Ann Mitts and assistant Ronda Hubbard. But it's not all doom and gloom on press row; after all, the Mule Kickers dance team is in the house to support Central Missouri.

2:23 p.m. -- Through six games of the tournament, Missouri Southern men stand out as the best supporting team. The whole bunch is sitting behind the scorers' table, waving foam noodles, standing, cheering and screaming at referees for their female counterparts. This is less than 24 hours after the Lions suffered a heartbreaking overtime loss to Central. Most schools' male and female counterparts have showed up to watch the other play, but nothing resembling the enthusiasm of the Lions. Point guard Skyler Bowlin can barely sit still he's so excited about this game.

2:52 p.m. – Renae Shippy, a forward for Central, apparently jumps when she shoots her free throws. I'm not sure how I missed this in the Jennies regular-season meetings with Western, and I don't recall seeing that from any other player in the league. I can't decide if it's cool like Rick Berry shooting granny-style free throws or unnecessary like players with silly and unnecessary pre-free throw routines.

3:23 p.m. – Danielle DeVader unveils her fourth fist pump of Southern's game against Central. The previous three came after 3-pointers, but the latest awkward celebration followed a Jennies three-second call. I fully expect made free throws to induce the fist pump in the final moments.

4:00 p.m. – I was wrong before. DeVader is my new hero. Trying to defend a 3-pointer from the corner, she dove head first and slapped the Central player in the foot. No foul, no basket, success. Well played.

6:56 p.m. – Like a classic gun fight, neither the Fort Hays State band nor the Washburn band will stand down. And like a gun fight gone terribly awry, the only ones suffering are the bystanders as they compete to play their fight songs louder than each other.

7:34 p.m. – With the Lady Blues now blowing out Fort Hays, the Washburn band is openly mocking the Tigers' fight song, raising their instruments in jest to the rhythm of the song.

8:15 p.m. – At least one Western women's player received an invitation to Kansas City. MIAA commissioner Jim Johnson just presented Griffons guard Jessicsa Koch with her freshman of the year award, along with the All-MIAA, first-team and coach of the year award winners. Koch received polite applause from a crowd not partisan toward Western. Koch was the only women's award recipient to sport a pair of vicious heels, so let's give credit where it's due.

8:24 p.m. – Washburn coach Ron McHenry opens his press conference with congratulations for this year's in-game promotions. The man is amazing. He can coach the 11th-ranked team in the country to victory and still appreciate two participants flinging rubber chickens across the arena.

9:39 p.m. -- Pittsburg's Bailey Waugh dives out of bounds, taking out the knees of a referee who comes up limping. I fear many players have had that fantasy during the course of the MIAA season. But the official walks it off like a pro (he has a situation there but don't pretend like you're not impressed) and stayed in.

9:41 p.m. – I'm trying to take in the rest of Omaha-Pittsburg game but think I have reached my limit for hoops today. Come back Saturday night for the Day 3 blog and see how the MIAA folks top bullriding from the first night out.