Joplin, Mo. -- The Missouri Southern men's basketball team will be back inside the Leggett & Platt Athletic Center when the Lions play host to the Freeman Sports Medicine/Chris Tucker Memorial Classic this Friday and Saturday. Southern will take on Southwest Baptist on Friday at 7:30 pm and Truman State on Saturday at 3:30 pm.
Game Information
Teams: Missouri Southern (1-1) vs. Southwest Baptist (2-0)/#6 Truman (2-0)
Date: November 18-19, 2021
Tip-Off: 7:30 pm - Fri./3:30 pm - Sat.
Location: Joplin, Mo.
Site: Robert Corn Court/Leggett & Platt Athletic Center
Series Record: Lions lead 54-43 vs. SBU/30-18 vs. Truman
Coaches: Jeff Boschee (138-72 overall/at MSSU - 8th year). Jeff Horner (59-26 overall/at TSU - 4th year) Clark Sheehy (98-99 overall/at SBU - 8th year)
Media Coverage
MSSU Radio: Mike McClure - Play by play - Fox Sports Joplin - 101.3, 107.9 FM, AM 1560 & 1340; KXMS 88.7 FM
Live Audio/Video/Stats - https://www.mssulions.com/coverage
Lions on Facebook: Facebook.com/mososports
Lions on Twitter: @mososports; @mssumensbball
Series Info
The Lions and both their opponents this weekend have plenty of history with both being previous members of the MIAA. Southern has a 54-43 record against SBU and the Lions have won eight of the last ten against the Bearcats. Southern is 30-18 against Truman State, having won 13 of the last 14 against the Bulldogs.
All-MIAA
Stan Scott returns to the starting lineup after being named a third-team All-MIAA pick in 2020-21.
MIAA Team Stat Leaders
So far early on in the season, the Lions lead the MIAA in field goal percentage and scoring, while ranking second in total rebounds per game and offensive rebounds per game and third in rebound margin.
MIAA Individual Stat Leaders
After the first week, RJ Smith leads the MIAA in double-double's, while Stan Scott leads the league in minutes per game. Scoot ranks second in the MIAA in both steals per game and total steals.
NCAA Individual Stat Leaders
Scott ranks seventh nationally in minutes per game at the D2 level, while Smith ranks 22nd in double-double's.
Welcome To The Point
Alex Jones has settled in as the point guard for the Lions this season. The Division I transfer (Lipscomb), is averaging 7.5 points per game this season and shooting 46 percent from the field.
See Stan Score
Stan Scott started the season with a bang as Scott finished his first week averaging 21.5 points, 9.0 rebounds, 3.5 assists and 3.0 steals per game. He shot 44 percent from the field and 86 percent from the line.
I Got This...
Stan Scott made the game-tying jumper with a minute in regulation to force overtime against Southern Nazarene and then in the second overtime period, he converted a three-point play that proved to be the deciding points in the game.
Mr. Double-Double
RJ Smith is averaging a double-double this season as the Olathe, Kan. native averaged 19.0 points and 10.0 rebounds in the opening week of the season.
Score Some Points Young One
Lawson Jenkins made the most out of his insertion into the starting lineup last season and the freshman went out and had a career game at Northeastern State scoring 29 points on 7-of-12 from the field and 9-of-10 from the free throw line.
The Century Mark
Jeff Boschee won his 100th career game at Missouri Southern against Washburn in the 2019 NCAA Tournament. He became the quickest to 100 wins in MSSU history. The previous mark was Frank Davis who reached 100 wins in 161 games. Boschee did it in 152 games.
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 261-straight games since Arkansas Tech in 2012-13.
Lions In The Pros
Currently, there are eight active former Lions playing professionally in Europe or overseas. Skyler Bowlin (Telekom Baskets - Germany), Elyjah Clark (Olimpico - Argentina), Enis Memic (Bosna Royal - Bosina), Keane Thomann (BAC - Denmark), Marquis Addison (Groningen - Holland), Yagizhan Selcuk (Buraspor Drumazlar - Turkey) and Jordan Talbert (SBB Baskets - Germany) all are playing professionally.
D1 Transfers
Southern will have six NCAA Division I transfers on its roster this year with three returning from last season and three newcomers this year. Stan Scott (Oakland), Avery Taggart (Southern Illinois), and RJ Smith (Sam Houston State) return from a year ago with Alex Jones (Lipscomb), Ndongo Ndaw (Indiana State) and Odell Wilson (North Dakota State) joining the team this year.
How Do You Say That?
Newcomer Ndongo Ndaw pronounces his name Ndongo (Nongo) Ndaw (Now).
Preseason MIAA Poll
The Lions were picked by the coaches and the media of the MIAA to finish fourth in both preseason polls. The league announced the polls on October 12 at the College Basketball Experience in Kansas City as part of Basketball Media Day.
Up Next
The Lions will be back in action on November 23, when the Lions travel to Arkansas Tech University.
