Joplin, Mo. -- The Missouri Southern men's basketball team will play its home opener this Saturday, Nov. 19 when the Lions host William Jewell. Tipoff from Robert Corn Court inside the Leggett & Platt Athletic Center is slated for 3 pm.  

Game Information

Teams:   Missouri Southern (2-0, 0-0 MIAA) vs. William Jewell (2-0, GLVC)

Date: Wednesday, Nov. 16
Tip-Off: 7 pm
Location: Joplin, Mo.
Site: Corn Court/Leggett & Platt Athletic Center (3,240)
Series Record: MSSU leads 7-3
Coaches: Jeff Boschee (40-23 overall/at MSSU).  Larry Holley (792-414 overall) 

Media Coverage

MSSU Radio: Mike McClure - Play by play - ESPN Joplin - 101.3, 103.5 FM, AM 1560; KXMS 88.7 FM
Internet Audio: www.mssulions.com
Live Video: wN/A
Live Stats: www.mssulions.com
Lions on Facebook:  Facebook.com/mososports
Lions on Twitter: @mososports; @mssumensbball

The Series

The Lions lead the series with William Jewell 7-3, with Southern taking last year's meeting, 80-73 in Liberty. The Lions won the first two games of the series and lost game three, but then went on to win four in a row. William Jewell, however, had won the last two until last year. The Lions are 3-0 in Joplin against the Cardinals and 1-1 in Liberty. Southern is 3-2 in neutral site games. 

CJ CARR - Manchild

Junior transfer CJ Carr has stepped in and helped lead this Lions team early in the season. After two games, he leads Division II scoring, steals per game and minutes, as well as total steals. He ranks in the top 20 nationally in 15 different statistical categories.               

NCAA Individual Stat Leaders

Carr leads Division II in scoring, minutes, steals per game and total steals, while ranking 19th in three point attempts, 14th in assists per game, 18th in double-doubles, ninth in three pointers per game, 16th in total three pointers, 18th in total assists, ninth in total field goal attempts, 16th in total field goals made and 12th in total points. JJ Crattit ranks 51st in three point attempts, while ranking fourth in minutes and 52nd in total field goal attempts. LJ Ross ranks 18th in double-doubles, while Elyjah Clark ranks 12th in minutes per game. 

NCAA Team Stat Leaders

The Lions rank sixth in steals, per game, while ranking ninth in turnover margin and 12th in total steals. The team ranks 18th in turnovers forced, 16th in scoring, 21st in three pointers per game, 28th in total three pointers made and 34th in both three point percentage and free throw attempts. They rank 29th in free throws made.        

MIAA Individual Leaders

Carr leads the MIAA in assists, double-doubles, free throws attempted and made, minutes per game, points per game, steals per game, total assists, total field goal attempts, total field goals, total minutes, total points and total steals. Cratit ranks fourth in three point attempts, while ranking second in minutes and third in total field goal attempts. Clark is third in minutes, while Ross ranks third in free throws made and offensive rebounds per game. 

MIAA Team Stat Leaders

The Lions lead the MIAA in three point attempts, free throws attempted and made, scoring offense, steals per game, three pointers per game, total three pointers, total steals, and turnover margin. The team ranks second in assist to turnover ratio, assists per game, offensive rebounds per game, three point percentage, total assists and turnovers forced. They rank third in three point defense and fourth in total rebounds.  

Carr is MIAA POW

CJ Carr was named the MIAA's Player of the Week this past week after averaging 36 points, 6.0 rebounds, 7.5 assists, 7.0 steals and 42 minutes per game. 

CJ CARR - National POW

CJ Carr, already the MIAA Player of the Week, was named the United States Basketball Writer's Association National Player of the Week this week. 

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

Quadruple Double

In the sport of basketball, a triple double (double-digits in three stat categories) is thought of as an awesome feat. CJ Carr nearly got a quadruple double in the season opener at St. Cloud State with 25 points, 12 assists, 7 rebounds and 7 steals. 

New Starting Five

For the first time in program history (since joining the NCAA), the Missouri Southern men's basketball program started five entirely new players to the roster the first two games to the season this year. All five players in the starting lineup did not play last year at MSSU.  

2-0 To Start The Season

Missouri Southern is 2-0 to start the season for the first time since the 2012-13 season when the team started 3-0 to open the campaign. 

D2 SID's Regional Ranking

After going 2-0 to start the season, the Lions moved up to number 5 in the Division II SID's regional rankings this week. 

Lions On The Radio 

The majority of the Lions games this season can be heard on the Missouri Southern Radio Network in Joplin. Partnering with ESPN Joplin, the Lions can be heard on 101.3 FM, 103.5 FM, 88.7 FM and AM 1560. 

Lions on TV

All Missouri Southern conference home games will be brought to you live this season courtesy of KGCS TV in Joplin. Fans can catch the action over the air live on Digital Channel 22 as well as on local cable systems. 

Up Next

The Missouri Southern men will continue the homestand by playing host to Rockhurst University on Nov. 22. Tip off from Robert Corn Court inside the Leggett & Platt Athletic Center is slated for 7:30 pm.