Fayette, Iowa -- The 7th-ranked Missouri Southern men's basketball team opened up a 17-point halftime lead and cruised to a 98-73 win today against Upper Iowa inside Dorman Gym. 

The Lions (4-1) were led by Cam Martin who scored 30 points and added ten rebounds, going 8-of-17 from the field, 3-of-7 from long-range and 11-of-14 from the free throw line. Elyjah Clark scored 16 points on 4-of-5 from long-range, while Reggie Tharp had 14 points and three assists. 

UIU (3-3) had four score in double-figures, led by 15 points from Jake Hilmer. 

The Lions trailed 13-12 six minutes into the game, but a 14-2 run over the next six minutes gave the Lions a 26-15 lead capped by a pair of freebies from Braelon Walker. A free throw from Martin with 3:36 to go in the first half made the Lions' lead 14 (43-29) and a three from Clark with 1:25 left pushed the Southern lead to 51-32. The Lions went into the locker room, leading 53-36. 

Upper Iowa cut the Lions' lead to 15 two mintues into the second half, but a quick 10-0 run by the Lions, capped by a three from Walker with 15:37 left gave the Lions a 67-42 lead. A three pointer from Winston Dessesow and a layup two possessions later from Dessesow gave the Lions their largest lead of the game at 26 (72-46). Upper Iowa got as close as 17, but a late three from Parker Jennings provided the final margin. 

The Lions shot 52 percent from the field and the three-point line, while making 79 percent of their free throws. Southern had a 39-32 advantage in rebounds, while forcing 19 UIU turnovers and scoring 22 points off hte miscues. Southern led 24-0 in fast-break points. 

The Lions will be back in action on November 29, playing host to Culver Stockton at 7 pm inside the Leggett & Platt Athletic Center.