Joplin, Mo. -- The Missouri Southern men's basketball team will look to make it four in a row as the Lions play host to Central Missouri tomorrow. Tip off from Robert Corn Court inside the Leggett & Platt Athletic Center is slated for 3:30 pm.
Game Information
Teams: Missouri Southern (15-8, 10-4 MIAA) vs. #25 Central Missouri (19-4, 11-3 MIAA)
Date: February 10, 2018
Tip-Off: 3:30 PM
Location: Joplin, Mo.
Site: Robert Corn Court/Leggett & Platt Athletic Center (3,240)
Series Record: Central leads 38-25
Coaches: Jeff Boschee (71-43 overall/at MSSU - 4th year). Doug Karleskint (79-35 at UCM/168-69overall)
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
Central leads the series 38-25 and the Mules have won seven of the last 11 games. The Lions are 15-13 vs. UCM at home and 9-20 on the road. Central has won all but one of the neutral site battles between the two clubs. The Lions are 1-5 all-time against the Mules in MIAA Tournament games after getting a win over then No. 18 ranked UCM in 2015 and Southern has played Central Missouri once in the NCAA Tournament.
NCAA Individual Stat Leaders
CJ Carr ranks 20th in assists per game and 24th in total assists, while ranking 38th in both steals per game and total steals. Elyjah Clark ranks seventh in three pointers per game and total threes made, while ranking 17th in three point percentage and 22nd in three point attempts.
MIAA Individual Leaders
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 and offensive rebounds per game, while ranking third in three pointers per game, total three pointers made, total rebounds and total rebounds per game.
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 167-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 13th 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 11-0 when they out-shoot their opponents.
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. Southern has three 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 will play their third ranked opponent this season when they face off with 25th-ranked Central Missouri on Saturday. The Lions are 1-1 this year against ranked opponents, losing to then 25th-ranked Northern State, but beating top-ranked Northwest Missouri.
Strange Things
At Central Oklahoma, both the Lions and the Bronchos had identical 24-28 marks from the free-throw line.
Records Watch
Sophomore Elyjah Clark set the Missouri Southern single-season record for three pointers last season as a freshman with 89. This year, to date, Clark has 88 long-range bombs and is on pace for 107 this season. Clark has 177 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 394 threes.
Chasin' A Grand
CJ Carr enters the game with Southwest Baptist with 947 career points, while Elyjah Clark has 810 points.
New Career High
Elyjah Clark set a new career high in scoring against Pittsburg this week. He scored 34 points against the Gorillas.
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 be back on the road as the Lions travel to Missouri Western on February 14. Tip off is slated for 7:30 pm.
