Men's Basketball | 11.12.15
Joplin, Mo. -- The Missouri Southern men's basketball program will open up the 2015-16 season this weekend by playing host to the MIAA/NSIC Challenge. The Lions will host St. Cloud State and Minnesota State, while Pittsburg State will be the Lions' partner in the tournament which will take place on Robert Corn Court inside the Leggett & Platt Athletic Center.
Game Information
Teams: Missouri Southern (0-0) vs. St. Cloud State (0-0)/Minnesota State (0-0)
Date: Friday/Saturday, November 13-14, 2015
Tip-Off: 7 pm/5 pm
Location: Joplin, Mo.
Site: Robert Corn Court | Leggett & Platt Athletic Center
Series Record: First-ever meeting between the schools
Coaches: Jeff Boschee (20-11 overall/at MSSU). Matt Reimer (18-12 overall/at SCSU) Matt Margenthaler (308-123 overall/at MSU)
Media Coverage
MSSU Radio: FM 99.7 KBTN - Justin Maskus - Play-by-play
Internet Audio: www.mssulions.com
Webcast: www.mssulions.com
Live Stats: www.mssulions.com
Lions on Facebook: Facebook.com/missourisouthernlions
Lions on Twitter: @mososports; @mssumensbball
Back-To-Back
The Lions have made back-to-back appearances in the MIAA Basketball Tournament Championship Game.
Record Breakers
Senior shooting guard Austin Wright set two records for the Lions last year, including the single-season three point record (79) and the single game three-point record (9). He also owns the single-season three point percentage mark (.493) and is also the current career-leader in that category (.463).
Record Breakers II
Wright is climbing the charts in career three pointers made at MSSU. He moved into the top five last year and currently sits in fourth at 177 career treys. He needs 48 to break Skyler Bowlin's record of 224.
Record Breakers III
Wright broke the MSSU single-game three point record against Northeastern State when the junior hit nine as part of 28 points in the Lions' 90-54 win in 2015.
Three Point Streak
The Lions failed to make a three-pointer at Arkansas Tech in their match-up in 2012-13. It was the first time in 403 games that Southern had failed to hit a three pointer, dating back to Jan. 20, 1999 against Missouri S&T. The Lions have had a three in 84-straight games since Arkansas Tech in 2012-13.
All-MIAA
Taevaunn Prince was a second-team All-MIAA pick in 2014-15, while Cameron Cornelius and Lane Barlow were honorable mention selections. Greg Renfroe was named to the MIAA's All-Defensive team.
Season-Ending Injury
Southern swing man LJ Ross will sit out the 2015-16 season after pre-season knee surgery revealed more damage than thought.
Perfect When
The Lions were perfect in 2014-15 when they did the following things: score 90+ (6-0), have more assists (11-0) and out shoot the opponent (17-0).
Lions in the D2 Poll
Missouri Southern is receiving votes in the preseason NABC Coaches Poll, currently sitting at No. 26 in the poll with 57 points. The Lions finished the 2013-14 season at No. 19 and the 2011-12 season at No. 23 in the final poll. The No. 1 ranking in 2012 was the highest the program has ever been ranked. Southern has been ranked 56 times in the program's history. The most consecutive weeks the Lions have spent in the poll is 23-straight weeks, which covers part of the 2010-11/2011-12 seasons.
Lions in the D-2 Basketball Writers Regional Poll
The Missouri Southern men's basketball program is ranked sixth in the US Basketball Writers Association preseason Central Region Poll. Northwest Missouri is ranked second, while Central Missouri is fourth and Nebraska-Kearney is ranked 8th.
Preseason MIAA Coaches Poll
The Missouri Southern men's basketball program was picked fourth in the preseason MIAA Men's Basketball Coaches Poll. The Lions received two first-place votes as just three points separated second place from fourth.
Welcome To The Family
Southern welcomes two Division I transfers to the program this year in Isaac Kreuer (UMKC) and Vince Fritz (Sacred Heart). DJ Feitl comes to the Lions from John Brown University, while LJ Ross will transfer from Arkansas Fort Smith. Southern also welcomes two two freshman in Brady Petry and Braelon Walker.
Up Next
Southern will play Minnesota State at 5 pm Saturday night in day two of the MIAA/NSIC Challenge inside the Leggett & Platt Athletic Center.
