Joplin, Mo. -- The Missouri Southern men's basketball team will open up MIAA play tomorrow night as the Lions play host to Central Oklahoma inside the Leggett & Platt Athletic Center. Tip off from Robert Corn Court is set for 7:30 pm.
Game Information
Teams: Missouri Southern (3-3, 0-0 MIAA) vs. Central Oklahoma (4-1, 0-0 MIAA)
Date: December 2, 2021
Tip-Off: 7:30 pm
Location: Joplin, Mo.
Site: Robert Corn Court/Leggett & Platt Athletic Center
Series Record: Lions lead 12-6
Coaches: Jeff Boschee (140-74 overall/at MSSU - 8th year). Bob Hoffman (935-365 overall/28-29 at UCO)
Media Coverage
MSSU Radio: Mike McClure - Play by play - Fox Sports Joplin - 101.3, AM 1560 & 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 holds a 12-6 advantage in the series between the two teams and the Lions have won 10 of the last 11. The first time the two teams played was in 1973 with Central Oklahoma taking that game in Joplin. The two teams didn't play again until 1991, then played twice more until 2013 when UCO joined the MIAA. The Lions are 6-4 at home, 4-2 on the road and 2-0 in neutral site games.
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, while ranking second in both total rebounds and total rebounds per game.
MIAA Individual Stat Leaders
Stan Scott leads the MIAA in total steals, while ranking second in steals per game. Winston Dessesow is third in three point attempts, while ranking fourth in total three's per game.
NCAA Individual Stat Leaders
Winston Dessesow is eighth nationally in three point attempts, while Stan Scott ranks 15th in total steals. Scott is 23rd in steals per game, while Dessesow ranks 27th in total three pointers per game and 32nd in three pointers per game.
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 in week two 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 264-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 Saturday, December 4 when Southern plays host to Newman. Tip off from Robert Corn Court inside the Leggett & Platt Athletic Center is set for 3:30 pm.
