Joplin, Mo. -- The Missouri Southern men's basketball team will be back at it tomorrow as the Lions play host to Fort Hays State. Tip off from Robert Corn Court inside the Leggett & Platt Athletic Center is slated for 3:30 pm.
Game Information
Teams: (RV) Missouri Southern (18-5, 9-4 MIAA) vs. Fort Hays State (14-7, 8-4 MIAA)
Date: February 9, 2019
Tip-Off: 3:30 PM
Location: Joplin, Mo.
Site: Robert Corn Court/Leggett & Platt Athletic Center
Series Record: FHSU leads 32-20
Coaches: Jeff Boschee (94-50 overall/at MSSU - 5th year). Mark Johnson (355-168 overall/at FHSU)
Media Coverage
MSSU Radio: Mike McClure - Play by play - Fox Sports Joplin - 101.3, 107.9 FM, AM 1340, 1560, KXMS 88.7 FM
Internet Audio: http://www.mssulions.com
Live Video: http://themiaanetwork.com/mssulions
Live Stats: https://mssulions.com/sidearmstats/mbball/summary
Lions on Facebook: Facebook.com/mososports
Lions on Twitter: @mososports; @mssumensbball
The Series
Fort Hays holds a 32-20 advantage over the Lions. Prior to the 2007-08 season, all of the games came when both teams were in the CSIC. Hays had won five in a row, before the Lions defeated the Tigers in the first-round of the 2014 NCAA Central Regional. The Tigers have had two separate streaks of five wins in a row. Southern dropped seven straight games from 1982 to 1985. The largest margin of victory for the Lions came on two consecutive games on Feb. 18, 1977 and Feb. 3, 1978 when Southern defeated the Tigers by identical 15 point margins. The largest margin of victory for the Tigers came in the 1987-88 season when Hays defeated Southern twice by the margins of 26 and 44 points. At home, Southern is 14-8 against the Tigers. The Lions are 4-19 in Hays and are 2-5 in neutral site games. FHSU swept the season series last year against the Lions.
MIAA Team Stat Leaders
The Lions, as a team, lead the MIAA in thee point attempts, free throw attemps, free throws made and total assists. Southern ranks second in assists per game, scoring, three pointers per game, total three pointers made and total rebounds, while ranking third in assist to turnover ratio, defensive rebounds per game, field goal percentage, offensive rebounds per game, fewest fouls, scoring margin and rebound margin.
MIAA Individual Stat Leaders
Cam Martin leads the MIAA in field goal percentage, free throw attempts and free throws made, while ranking second in double-doubles, scoring and total points. Martin ranks third in rebounds per game, total blocks, total points and total rebounds. Elyjah Clark leads the MIAA in three point attempts, minutes per game and total minutes. Reggie Tharp is third in assist to turnover ratio, assists per game and total assists.
Preseason No. 1
The Lions were picked number one in the MIAA Preseason Coaches Poll this season.
Streak Stopper
Coming into the season Elyjah Clark had made a three pointer in 47-straight games, dating back to his freshman season. Clark, however, missed out on a three in the first game of the year, but has made a three in each game since, taking his current streak to 22.
Cam You Score A Lot?
Cam Martin tied a MSSU single-game record with 49 points at Minnesota State. The mark tied Carl Tyler from 1984. Coincidently, in his second game as a Lion, former guard CJ Carr scored 47 points against the same Minnesota State team two years ago.
Coach of the Year
Jeff Boschee was named the 2018 MIAA Coach of the Year. Boschee has coached the Lions to a 20-win season for the second time in his four-year career. Last year, the Lions were picked to finish sixth in the preseason coaches poll and the Lions finished the season second overall with two wins over regular-season MIAA Champ Northwest Missouri.
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 196-straight games since Arkansas Tech in 2012-13.
Dunk You Very Much
The Lions had nine dunks in the game against Baptist Bible on 11/29.
Records Abound
The Lions broke or tied four school records in the 137-50 win over Baptist Bible. Southern tied the school record for points in a game (137) and field goal attempts (95), while breaking the records for rebounds (77) and assists (37).
Hard Working Man
Elyjah Clark leads the MIAA in minutes per game and total minutes.
Success At Charity
In the last eight games, the Lions are shooting 82 percent from the free throw line (157-191). In that same stretch, Clark (.903) and Braelon Walker (.900) are shooting 90 percent or higher.
Three's Company
The Lions shattered the previous MSSU school record for three pointers in a game against Randall last year as Southern made 20 three pointers against the Saints. The previous record of 15 was set in 2003 against St. Gregory's.
Home Sweet Home
Missouri Southern can count on some of the best fan support in Division II. This season, the Lions rank 8th nationally in home attendance, averaging 1,605 fans per game. That number is 3rd in the MIAA.
Holy Points Batman
The Lions scored 137 points against Baptist Bible to tie a school record. It was the most points since the scored 110 last year against Randall were the most the team has scored since they scored 113 against Southwest Baptist in 2014.
Super Tuesday
The Lions are 2-0 on Tuesday's this year and a perfect 8-0 in Jeff Boschee's tenure.
Corndogs Jackie
Southern is averaging 87 points per game this season and the Lions have topped the century mark five times.
Overtime's A Charm
For the third-straight time, the Lions and Minnesota State needed overtime to settle the score. The Lions won 100-98 this year and have won two of the three overtime games in the last three years between the two teams.
Bevo Francis Award Watchlist
Sophomore Cam Martin has been named to the Small College Basketball Bevo Francis Award Watchlist. The award is for the Division II Player of the Year.
Records Watch
Junior Elyjah Clark had the Missouri Southern single-season record for three pointers as a freshman with 89 and broke that record last year with 110. Clark has 263 career threes, passing Skyler Bowlin for second all-time against Central Oklahoma this year. He is five threes from tying the career record of 265 set by Austin Wright.
Reachin' A Grand
Elyjah Clark went over 1,000 points in his career with 18 points against Minnesota-Crookston in the Puerto Rico Tournament. He currently has 1,265 in his career and is the 21st person in MSSU history to crack the 1,000 point plateau. Clark has moved into 12th place all-time, passing both Marvin Townsend and Hiram Ocasio in the process. Next up is Russel Bland at 1,271 points.
Elyjah For Three
Elyjah Clark went over 1,000 points in his career with 18 points against Minnesota-Crookston in the Puerto Rico Tournament. He currently has 1,278 in his career and is the 21st person in MSSU history to crack the 1,000 point plateau. Clark has moved into 11th place all-time, passing Russel Bland. Next up is Taevaunn Prince at 1,303 points.
Coaches Show
This year, Jeff Boschee and women's coach Ronnie Ressel will be part of the Missouri Southern Coaches Show. The show is Monday night's at 6 pm and originates from Hackett's Hot Wings in downtown Joplin. The show can be heard live on 101.3 and 107.9 FM, as well as streamed on www.mssulions.com.
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, 101.7 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 have a week off but will be at Pittsburg State on Feb. 16 for a 3:30 pm start.
