Joplin, Mo. -- The Missouri Southern men's basketball team will head out on the road for an early season MIAA road test this week as the Lions travel to Lincoln University on Thursday night. Tip off from Jasom Gym is slated for 7:30 pm.
Game Information
Teams: Missouri Southern (6-2, 2-0 MIAA) at Lincoln (6-2, 0-0 MIAA)
Date: Thursday, December 8, 2016
Tip-Off: 7:30 pm
Location: Jefferson City, Mo.
Site: Jefferson City, Mo. (2,400)
Series Record: MSSU leads 25-9
Coaches: Jeff Boschee (44-25 overall/at MSSU). John Moseley (31-40 overall/at Lincoln)
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
The Lions lead the series between the two teams by a margin of 25-9. Southern is 12-4 at home against the Blue Tigers, while the Lions are 12-4 in Jefferson City. The Lions and Lincoln have split neutral site games, both at Pittsburg. The Lions and Blue Tigers have played in four overtime games in the series with the two teams splitting the games. The Lions have won 15 of the last 16 games against the Blue Tigers, including the last 12 in a row.
NCAA Individual Stat Leaders
CJ Carr is fourth nationally in total steals, while ranking seventh in steals per game, 14th in total field goal attempts, 16th in scoring, 21st in total assists, 22nd in total points, 25th in total field goals made and 31st in assists per game. JJ Crattit ranks 52nd nationally in total field goal attempts, while Elyjah Clark ranks 58th in total three pointers made.
NCAA Team Stat Leaders
Southern ranks third in turnover margin in Division II, while ranking 15th in turnovers forced, and 17th in fewest turnovers per game. The team ranks 26th in free throws made, 28th in total steals, 32nd in scoring, 33rd in steals per game, 38th in assist to turnover ratio, 41st in free throws attempted and 42nd in total three pointers made.
MIAA Individual Leaders
Carr leads the MIAA in assists per game, steals per game, total assists and total steals, while ranking second in total field goal attempts, and third in minutes, points per game total field goals made and total points.
MIAA Team Stat Leaders
The Lions lead the MIAA in scoring, offensive rebounds, turnover margin and turnovers forced. The team ranks second in fewest turnovers per game, total steals, total three pointers made, three pointers per game, and steals per game, while ranking third in three point attempts, total assists and fewest total turnovers.
There's Our Rebounds
For just the second time this season, the Lions led their opponent in rebounds and they did it resoundingly with a 46-29 advantage, including 13-6 in offensive boards that led to a 18-4 lead in second-chance points.
LJ's Night At The Boards
LJ Ross had a career-night against Nebraska-Kearney as the junior from Tulsa had 19 rebounds in the game against the Lopers, besting his previous career-high of 13 set earlier in the year against Minnesota State.
Thou Shalt Steal
The Lions lead the MIAA in steals this season as the team is averaging 9.1 thefts per game.
Holy Hot Start Batman
Before you could blink an eye, the Lions had a 22-5 lead against the Lopers. The Lions led by 17 with 14:38 left of the 1st half and the lead never dipped under double-digits after the 16-minute mark of the first half.
Give Me That Ball
The Lions lead the MIAA in turnover margin and turnovers forced, while ranking second in fewest turnovers themselves. Southern is forcing 9.1 turnovers per game this year.
Let's Try That Again
The Lions lead the MIAA in offensive rebounds this year, averaging 13.0 offensive boards per game. That equates to 16.1 second-chance points a game.
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 120-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 6-2 to start the season, the Lions are at No. 9 in the Division II SID's regional rankings this week.
Comeback Kids
In two different games this year, the Lions have overcome multiple possession deficits to come back and win the game. Against William Jewell, the Lions trailed by ten only to win by 10. Against Fort Hays, the Lions turned a six point deficit into a five point lead in less than three minutes to hold on for the win.
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 continue the road trip with a game at Lindenwood University on Saturday. Tip off is slated for 3:30 pm.
