Joplin, Mo. -- The Missouri Southern men's basketball team will play host to Nebraska-Kearney and hope to go to 2-0 in the MIAA as the Lions take on the Lopers this Saturday. Tip off is slated for 3 pm.
Game Information
Teams: Missouri Southern (5-2, 1-0 MIAA) vs. Nebraska-Kearney (6-2, 1-0 MIAA)
Date: Saturday, December 3, 2016
Tip-Off: 3 pm
Location: Joplin, Mo.
Site: Corn Court/Leggett & Platt Athletic Center (3,240)
Series Record: UNK leads 21-12
Coaches: Jeff Boschee (43-25 overall/at MSSU). Kevin Lofton (183-139 overall/at UNK)
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: www.mssulions.com
Live Stats: www.mssulions.com
Lions on Facebook: Facebook.com/mososports
Lions on Twitter: @mososports; @mssumensbball
The Series
Nebraska-Kearney leads the all-time series 21-12 between the two schools, and the two teams hae split the last six meetings. Southern has won the last two games in the MIAA Tournament in against UNK in each of the last two seasons. Southern is 8-8 at home, 2-13 on the road and 2-0 in neutral site games.
NCAA Individual Stat Leaders
CJ Carr is fourth in Division II in steals, while ranking 6th in total field goals attempted. He ranks 12th in scoring, 15th in total assists, 19th in total points, 21st in total field goals made and assists per game, as well as three pointers attempted. JJ Cratit ranks 46th in three pointers attempted and 48th in total field goals attempted.
NCAA Team Stat Leaders
The Lions rank fourth in turnover margin, while ranking 12th in fewest turnovers per game and 16th in turnovers forced. The team ranks 23rd in assist to turnover ratio, while ranking 25th in total three pointers made. They rank 29th in threes per game, 33rd in three point attempts, 34th in scoring, 37th in steals per game and 38th in total steals.
MIAA Individual Leaders
Carr leads the MIAA in assists per game, steals per game, total assists and total steals. He ranks second in three point attempts and total field goal attempts, while ranking third in points per game, total field goals and total points.
MIAA Team Stat Leaders
The Lions lead the MIAA in scoring, three pointers made per game, turnover margin and fewest turnovers per game. The team ranks second in three point attempts, offensive rebounds, steals per game total three pointers made and total steals, while ranking third in assist to turnover ratio and assists per game.
Game of Firsts
For the first time this season, the Lions led the game in rebounding and shooting as the Lions won 85-74 over Rockhurst.
Double-Double 1
CJ Carr picked up his second double-double of the season with a 26 point, 11 assist effort against William Jewell.
Double-Double 2
Lawrence Brown picked up a double-double of his own against William Jewell with 17 points and 11 rebounds.
Blockless, No More
After coming into the game with William Jewell with no blocks on the season, the Lions blocked five shots from the Cardinals with Lawrence Brown blocking three alone.
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 119-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.
D2 SID's Regional Ranking
After going 5-2 to start the season, the Lions are at No. 10 in the Division II SID's regional rankings this week.
Comeback Kids
The Lions came back from being down at least eight points on three separate occasions against William Jewell only to win by ten points.
New School Record
The Lions set a new school record with 42 attempted three pointers against Missouri S&T. The mark surpassed the 34 set last season against Washburn.
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 head back out on the road as the Lions will travel to Lincoln and Lindenwood on December 8 and 10.
