Joplin, Mo. -- The Missouri Southern men's basketball team will look to go to .500 in MIAA play Saturday as the Lions play host to Lindenwood University. Tip off from Robert Corn Court inside the Leggett & Platt Athletic Center is slated for 3:30 pm.
Game Information
Teams: Missouri Southern (3-5, 1-2 MIAA) vs. Lindenwood (7-1, 1-0 MIAA)
Date: December 9, 2017
Tip-Off: 3:30 pm
Location: Joplin, Mo.
Site: Robert Corn Court/Leggett & Platt (3,240)
Series Record: Series Tied 4-4
Coaches: Jeff Boschee (59-40 overall/at MSSU - 4th year). Lance Randall (165-106 overall/44-27 at Lindenwood - 3rd year)
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
This is only the ninth meeting ever between the two schools and the series is tied at four games each. Southern is 2-1 in Joplin and 2-3 in St. Charles.
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 blocked 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 150-straight games since Arkansas Tech in 2012-13.
Keys To Winning
The Lions are 3-0 this year when out shooting their opponents.
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 14th nationally in home attendance this season, averaging 1,430 n fans per game. That number is third in the MIAA.
En Fuego
Elyjah Clark started the game against Lincoln on fire. He made his first four three pointers and added in a layup as he scored the Lions first 14 points of the game to put Southern up 14-4 two minutes in.
Career High
The six three pointers for Clark against Lincoln were a new career-high for the sophomore.
Near School Record
The Lions went 14-32 from the three point line against Lincoln. The 14 three's made were one off the single-game record and the 32 attempts were one off the single-game mark.
Triple Digits
Jeff Boschee will be coaching game number 100 against Lindenwood this weekend.
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 head to Quincy, Ill. for the Quincy Holiday Tournament. Southern will face off with Truman and Quincy in the two-day event next weekend.
