Joplin, Mo. -- The Missouri Southern men's basketball team will be back in the friendly confines of the Leggett & Platt Athletic Center Thursday night when the Lions play host to Lincoln University. Tip off from Robert Corn Court is slated for 7:30 pm.
Game Information
Teams: Missouri Southern (2-5, 0-2 MIAA) vs. Lincoln (5-3, 0-0 MIAA)
Date: December 7, 2017
Tip-Off: 7:30 pm
Location: Joplin, Mo.
Site: Robert Corn Court/Leggett & Platt (3,240)
Series Record: MSSU leads 26-10
Coaches: Jeff Boschee (58-40 overall/at MSSU - 4th year). John Moseley (47-54 overall/at Lincoln)
Media Coverage
MSSU Radio: Mike McClure - Play by play - Fox Sports Joplin - 101.3, 103.5 FM, AM 1560 KXMS 88.7 FM
Internet Audio: http://www.mssulions.com
Live Video: https://www.themiaanetwork.com/mssulions
Live Stats: http://sidearmstats.com/mssu/mbball
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 26-10. Southern is 12-5 at home against the Blue Tigers, while the Lions are 13-4 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 16 of the last 18 games against the Blue Tigers.
NCAA Individual Stat Leaders
CJ Carr ranks 28th nationally in minutes per game, while Enis Memic ranks 25th in field goal percentage.
MIAA Individual Leaders
Carr leads the MIAA in minutes per game, while Memic ranks second in field goal percentage. Elyjah Clark ranks fourth in defensive rebounds per game, while Carr ranks fifth in assists per game.
MIAA Team Stat Leaders
The Lions rank rank fourth in the MIAA in both blockd shots and fewest fouls, while ranking fifth in fewest turnovers and free throws made.
Freshman of the Year
Elyjah Clark was the MIAA Freshman of the Year last season. His is the sixth Lion in the history of the program to earn that honor, joining Carlos Newberry (96-97), Carlos Escalera (99-00), Skyler Bowlin (07-08), Jason Adams (08-09), and Marquis Addison (10-11).
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 149-straight games since Arkansas Tech in 2012-13.
Welcome Back
The Lions are playing at home for just the second time this season. This year, Southern will play just 12 games at the Leggett & Platt Athletic Center. The 12 games at home ties the 2011-12 season for the fewest home games inside Leggett & Platt in a single-season.
Records A Breakin'
Elyjah Clark set new school records last season for single-season three pointers (89), single-season three-point attempts (225), and three pointers made per game (2.96). He also helped the Lions to set the school record for three's made in a season with 250.
Home Sweet Home
Missouri Southern can count on some of the best fan support in Division II. The Lions rank 11th nationally in home attendance this season, averaging 1,472 n fans per game. That number is third in the MIAA.
Feeling Generous
CJ Carr set a new MSSU single-game record for assists against Pittsburg State last season with 16 in the game. The mark broke Eddin Santiago's mark of 15 set in 2000. The 16 assists were also the most in a single game in Division II last year.
Erase A Deficit
The Lions trailed by 14 at one point against Minnesota State the opening weekend, but a 20-6 run by the Lions erased that deficit to tie the game up late and force overtime. In the game against UMSL, the Lions utilized an 11-1 run to end the first half and lead by three at the break.
Specialty Stats
This year, the Lions have forced 90 turnovers and are scoring 11.1 points per game off of the miscues. The Lions are averaging 10.9 second-chance points per game, while also averaging 31.1 points in the paint. The Lions' bench is out scoring the opponents 22.6 - 20.1.
Runs A Comin'
Against UMSL, the Lions went on three separate runs that helped facilitate the win. The Lions finished the first half on an 11-1 run and went on separate 9-0 and 7-0 runs in the second half.
Full-Court Winner
Wayne State hit a late three pointer to tie the game against the Lions last week, but with less than six seconds on the clock, Braelon Walker took the in-bounds pass and drove the length of the court to hit a running left-handed layup to win the game for the Lions as time expired.
Taking Down The Best
With the win against Northwest Missouri in 2017, the Lions took out a No. 1 ranked opponent for the first time since the 1999-2000 season when Southern defeated Florida Southern in the Elite Eight. It also turned out to be the only loss that Northwest Missouri would suffer en route to the Division II National Championship.
Lions On The Radio
The majority of the Lions games this season can be heard on the Missouri Southern Radio Network in Joplin. Southern is partnering with Fox Sports 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 Lions will play host to Lindenwood this Saturday inside the Leggett & Platt Athletic Center. Tip off from Robert Corn Court is slated for 3:30 pm.
