Joplin, Mo. -- The Missouri Southern men's basketball team will head into Maryville tomorrow afternoon to take on the sixth-ranked Northwest Missouri Bearcats in a pivotal matchup amongst the MIAA's two hottest teams.
Game Information
Teams: Missouri Southern (17-8, 12-4 MIAA) at #6 Northwest Missouri (22-2, 14-2 MIAA)
Date: February 17, 2018
Tip-Off: 3:30 PM
Location: Maryville, Mo
Site: Bearcat Arena
Series Record: Northwest leads 32-24
Coaches: Jeff Boschee (73-43 overall/at MSSU - 4th year). Ben McCollum (199-73 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/nwmissouri/mbball
Lions on Facebook: Facebook.com/mososports
Lions on Twitter: @mososports; @mssumensbball
The Series
Northwest leads the overall series 32-24, but Southern has won 12 of the last 20 games, including the only defeat the Bearcats had all of last season and one of just two this season. Missouri Southern is 18-8 at home against Northwest Missouri, while the Lions are 5-19 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 17th in the NCAA in assists per game, while ranking 20th in total steals, 21st in total assists, 22nd in steals per game and 46th in minutes per game. Elyjah Clark ranks 6th in both three's per game and total three's made, while ranking 13th in three point percentage and 24th in three pointers attempted.
The Killer C's
CJ Carr and Elyjah Clark are two of the top players in the MIAA. Carr leads the MIAA in assists per game, steals per game, total assists and total steals. Clark leads the MIAA in three point attempts, three point percentage, three pointers per game, and total three pointers made.
MIAA Team Leaders
The Lions rank second in the MIAA in scoring offense, offensive rebounds, three pointers per game, three point percentage and total three pointers made, while ranking third in assists per game and total assists.
Freshman of the Year
Elyjah Clark was the MIAA Freshman of the Year last season. He 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 169-straight games since Arkansas Tech in 2012-13.
Bomb's Away
Elyjah Clark tied the single-game MSSU record for three pointers in a game at Pittsburg State. The sophomore had nine three's in the game, tying Austin Wright's record that was set in 2015.
Home Sweet Home
Missouri Southern can count on some of the best fan support in Division II. The Lions rank 12th nationally in home attendance this season, averaging 1,489 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.
Keys to Success
So far this season the Lions are a perfect 6-0 when they score 90 points or more and they are 13-0 when they out-shoot their opponents. In Jeff Boschee's tenure, the team is 6-0 when the two teams tie in rebounding
Comeback Kids
The Lions trailed by as many as 15 points with eight minutes left in the first half against Northwest Missouri, but closed the half to trail by just three. Southern eventually led by ten twice in the second half and won by six points. Against Missouri Western, the Lions trailed by nine midway through the second half before making the comeback. Against Emporia State, the Lions trailed by nine points with seven minutes left, before mounting a comeback. The Lions also trailed by eight with nine minutes left to Central Missouri before winning. Southern has four second-half comebacks this year.
CJ Taketh and Giveth
CJ Carr leads the MIAA in both assists and steals this season, while ranking 20th and 38th nationally in both those categories.
Clutch Free Throw Shooting
Southern was clutch at the charity stripe when it counted against Northwest Missouri. The Lions made 13-14 free throws in the final minute against the Bearcats.
Bring Em On
The Lions have the 13th-toughest schedule in Division II this year. The games remaining on the Lions' schedule ranks as the 7th-toughest schedule.
Ranked Opponents
The Lions played their third ranked opponent this season when they defeated 25th-ranked Central Missouri on Feb. 7. The Lions are 2-1 this year against ranked opponents, losing to then 25th-ranked Northern State, but beating top-ranked Northwest Missouri and 25th ranked Central Missouri.
Strange Things
At Central Oklahoma, both the Lions and the Bronchos had identical 24-28 marks from the free-throw line and against Central Missouri, the Lions and Mules had identical rebounding lines of nine offensive, 18 defensive and 27 total.
Records Watch
Sophomore Elyjah Clark had the Missouri Southern single-season record for three pointers last season as a freshman with 89 and has already broke that record this year with 95 and counting. This year, to date, Clark has 92 long-range bombs and is on pace for 107 this season. Clark has 184 career threes and is well over halfway to the career record of 265 set by Austin Wright. If Clark continues on this pace, he will finish is career with 395 threes.
Chasin' A Grand
CJ Carr enters the game with Northwest Missouri with 980 career points, while Elyjah Clark has 841 points.
Magic Number Is 1
With a win in any of the final three games for the Lions or a loss by Central Oklahoma in any of its final three games, the Lions will clinch a bye in the MIAA Tournament to Kansas City.
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
Southern will come back home and play its final home game this Tuesday, playing host to Pittsburg State on Senior Day.
