Joplin, Mo. -- The Missouri Southern men's basketball team will get back into MIAA play tomorrow night as the Lions play host to number one ranked Northwest Missouri. Tip off from Robert Corn Court inside the Leggett & Platt Athletic Center is slated for 7:30 pm.
Game Information
Teams: Missouri Southern (6-6, 2-2 MIAA) vs. #1 Northwest Missouri (12-0, 4-0 MIAA)
Date: January 4, 2018
Tip-Off: 7:30 PM
Location: Joplin, Mo.
Site: Robert Corn Court/Leggett & Platt Athletic Center
Series Record: Bearcats lead 33-21
Coaches: Jeff Boschee (63-41 overall/at MSSU - 4th year). Ben McCollum (189-71 overall/at NWMO)
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: http://www.themiaanetwork.com/mssulions
Live Stats: http://sidearmstats.com/mssu/mbball
Lions on Facebook: Facebook.com/mososports
Lions on Twitter: @mososports; @mssumensbball
The Series
Northwest leads the overall series 33-21, but Southern has won ten of the last 17 games, including the only defeat the Bearcats had all of last season. Missouri Southern is 16-10 at home against Northwest Missouri, while the Lions are 5-18 in Maryville. Northwest has won all but one of the neutral site games. While many of the games have been close, Northwest's biggest victory margin was 27 points, in the 2006 MIAA Tournament. Southern's most-lopsided win was a 93-67 decision on January 29, 2000.
NCAA Individual Stat Leaders
CJ Carr ranks 23rd in assists per game and 26th in total steals, while ranking 34th in total assists, 42nd in minutes and 45th in total steals. Elyjah Clark ranks 21st in three's per game, while ranking 24th in total three's and 40th in three point attempts. Kinzer Lambert ranks 46th in field goal percentage.
MIAA Individual Leaders
Carr leads the MIAA in assists per game, steals per game and total assists. Carr ranks third in minutes per game and total steals. Clark leads the MIAA in three's per game, while ranking second in three point attempts and total three's made and fourth in minutes. Lambert ranks fourth in field goal percentage.
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 155-straight games since Arkansas Tech in 2012-13.
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 16th nationally in home attendance this season, averaging 1,318 n fans per game. That number is fourth in the MIAA.
Super Tuesday
The Lions won their first game of the year on a Tuesday night against Randall. In Jeff Boschee's tenure, the team is 5-0 on Tuesdays.
Three's Company
The Lions shattered the previous MSSU school record for three pointers in a game against Randall as Southern made 20 three pointers against the Saints. The previous record of 15 was set in 2003 against St. Gregory's.
Holy Points Batman
The Lions scored 110 points in a win over Randall. The 110 points were the most the team has scored since they scored 113 against Southwest Baptist in 2014.
Triple Digits
Jeff Boschee coached game number 100 against Lindenwood this year. He is 63-41 in his career as a head coach.
CJ Taketh and Giveth
CJ Carr leads the MIAA in both steals and assists this season, while ranking 26th and 23rd nationally in both those categories.
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 this year, 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.
Game of Highs
The Lions either set or tied six career-highs for individuals in the game against Randall. CJ Carr (6) and Braelon Walker (2) tied career-highs in three's, while Colby Bullock set a career-high (1). Koray Gilbert (8) tied a career-high in rebounds, while LJ Ross and Vince Ftitz both had a career-high four assists.
Welcome To The Show
The Lions played freshman Christian Bundy for the game against Randall. The Nixa native had a productive 15 minutes with four points, two rebounds an assist and two blocks, going 2-2 from the field.
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 Missouri Western this Saturday inside Leggett & Platt. Tip off from Robert Corn Court is set for 3:30 pm.
