Joplin, Mo. -- The Missouri Southern men's basketball team will head out on the road as the Lions travel to Arkansas Tech for a matchup with the Wonder Boys tomorrow night. Tip off from Tucker Coliseum is set for 7 pm on Tuesday evening.
Game Information
Teams: Missouri Southern (2-2) at Arkansas Tech (1-1)
Date: November 23, 2021
Tip-Off: 7:00 pm
Location: Russellville, Ark.
Site: Robert Tucker Coliseum
Series Record: Lions lead 18-9
Coaches: Jeff Boschee (139-73 overall/at MSSU - 8th year). Mark Downey (202-141 overall/85-55 at ATU - 6th season)
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
Southern is 18-9 overall against Arkansas Tech. The two teams hooked up nearly every year in the early to mid 70's and then became a regular opponent in the Lions' Thanksgiving tournament from 1991-97. The two teams have played three out of the last four years with the Lions taking two of the three meetings. Southern has won seven out of the last ten games against the Wonder Boys. The Lions are 16-3 at home, 2-5 in Russellville and 0-1 in neutral locations.
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
The Lions lead the MIAA in offensive rebounds per game, scoring and three pointers per game ,while ranking second in free throw percentage and third in both three point percentage and total three pointers made.
MIAA Individual Stat Leaders
RJ Smith leads the MIAA in double-doubles, minutes per game and offensive rebounds per game, while ranking third in total rebounds. Stan Scott is second in the MIAA in assists per game and total assists, while Winston Dessesow ranks second in three's per game.
NCAA Individual Stat Leaders
Smith ranks fifth nationally in minutes per game, while ranking 12th in double-doubles, 33rd in offensive rebounds and 34th in total rebounds. Dessesow is 14th in three point attempts.
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 he 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.
Have A Week RJ
RJ Smith had a heck of a week this past week as the senior averaged 22 points, nine rebounds, three assists and a block and a steal each. He shot 52 percent from the field, 83 percent from behind the three point line and 88 percent from the free throw line.
Career-Night Part 1
RJ Smith had a career-high 25 points and ten rebounds against Truman State. He went 5-of-6 from long-range, while dishing out five assists.
Career-Night Part 2
Avery Taggart was perfect against sixth-ranked Truman State as he had a career-high 18 points, going 6-of-6 from the field, 4-of-4 from long-range and 2-2 from the free throw line.
Career-Night Part 3
Winston Dessesow had a career-high 26 points against Southwest Baptist as he went 9-of-17 from the field and 6-of-13 from the three-point 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 262-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 this weekend as Southern plays host to John Brown on Saturday. Tip off from Robert Corn Court inside the Leggett & Platt Athletic Center is set for 3:30 pm.
