Game Information

Teams:  Missouri Southern (6-4, 3-1 MIAA) vs. Emporia State (4-4, 2-1  MIAA)

Date: Wednesday, December 16, 2015
Tip-Off: 7:30 pm
Location: Joplin, Mo.
Site: Robert Corn Court/Leggett & Platt Athletic Center (3,240)
Series Record: Southern leads 48-30
Coaches:Jeff Boschee (26-15 overall/at MSSU). Shaun Vandiver (56-65/overall)

Media Coverage

MSSU Radio:FM 99.7 KBTN - Mike McClure - Play-by-play
Internet Audio:www.mssulions.com
Live Video:www.mssulions.com
Live Stats: www.mssulions.com
Lions on Facebook: Facebook.com/mososports
Lions on Twitter:@mososports; @mssumensbball

The Series

Missouri Southern holds a 48-30 advantage in the series with Emporia State. Southern has won 11 of the last 15 and seven of the last nine. The Lions have a 29-10 record against Emporia in Joplin, and are 18-20 in games played at Emporia. The Southern-Emporia series has produced eight overtime games, including two double overtime thrillers. The Lions have won six of the overtime games. Missouri Southern's biggest margin of victory was 43 points, 125-82, on Jan. 19, 2002. Emporia State's biggest victory spread was in 2007, (Jan. 17, 2007) defeating the Lions 105-67 (32 points). 

Taevaunn Amongst The Nation's Best

Taevaunn Prince leads the country in free throws made, while ranking second in free throws attempted and third in defensive rebounds per game. He ranks fourth in total rebounds and sixth in both total points and rebounds per game. He ranks 10th in points per game, 17th in total field goals, 23rd in double-doubles and 26th in total minutes.               

NCAA Individual Stat Leaders

Taevaunn Prince isn't the only Lion that is amongst  the National Leaders. Austin Wright ranks 50th in three pointers attempted, while ranking 41st in minutes per game and 31st in total three pointers made. He ranks 26th in total minutes.    

NCAA Team Stat Leaders

The Lions rank 19th in free throws made, while ranking 21st in free throws attempted and 35th in three point field goal percentage.    

MIAA Individual Leaders: 

Prince leads the MIAA in defensive rebounds per game, double doubles, free throws made and attempted, points per game, rebounds per game, total field goals made, total points and total rebounds. He ranks third in field goal percentage, and second in total minutes. Austin Wright leads the MIAA in total three pointers made, as well as total minutes. He ranks third in three point shooting, as well as ranking second in three point field goal attempts.  

MIAA Team Stat Leaders

The Lions lead the MIAA in total three pointers made, as well as total rebounds. The team ranks second in free throws attempted and made, as well as three point defense. They rank third in total steals, scoring, and three point percentage, while ranking fourth in three pointers attempted and fifth in free throw percentage.    

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 (.460). 

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 third at 206 career treys, after passing Keith Allen. He needs 8 to pass Jason Adams for 2nd place and 19 to break Skyler Bowlin's record of 224.   

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 93-straight games since Arkansas Tech in 2012-13. 

Taevaunn's On Fire

Taevaunn Prince is averaging 24.3 and 11.0 rebounds this season. He has led the Lions in rebounding every game but one, and in points in eight of ten.  

Mr. 200

Austin Wright had seven three pointers against Central Oklahoma to give him 201 in his career. He currently has 206 and is 19 away from breaking the all-time record at MSSU.

Blocks By The 100

Greg Renfroe picked up his 100th career block this past week against Northeastern State. He currently has 103 and is 12 away from tying Keane Thomann for fourth all-time in MSSU history. Renfroe had 62 blocks as a junior, second all-time in a single-season at MSSU.

20-Point Man

Taevaunn Prince has scored 20 points or more in every game but one this season. 

Rebound This

Taevaunn Prince has set his career-high in rebounds in two separate games this year, tying the mark of 17 in two of the four games. 

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. 

Huge Fan Support

Missouri Southern ranks 11th nationally in average attendance with 1,69 fans per game coming to the Leggett & Platt Athletic Center. The Lions rank 7th in total attendance with 10,168 fans this season. Southern ranks fourth in the MIAA in average attendance.

Go Get Em' Charlie Brown

Sophomore Charlie Brown had a career-high 27 points in a win over St. Cloud State to start the season.  

Lions In The D2 Basketball Writers Regional Poll

The Missouri Southern men's basketball program is ranked 7th in the US Basketball Writers Association week five Central Region Poll. Central Missouri is ranked third, while Northwest Missouri is fourth and Pittsburg State is ninth.  

Up Next

Southern will finish out the 2015 calendar year with a matchup against Washburn this Saturday. Tip off from Robert Corn Court inside the Leggett & Platt Athletic Center is slated for 3 pm.