Joplin, Mo. -- The Missouri Southern men's basketball team will head out on the road as the Lions travel to Claremore, Okla. to take on Rogers State. Tip off from the Claremore Expo Center on Saturday is set for 3:30 pm.
Game Information
Teams: Missouri Southern (5-3, 2-0 MIAA) at Rogers State (6-2, 1-2 MIAA)
Date: December 11, 2021
Tip-Off: 3:30 pm
Location: Claremore, Okla.
Site: Claremore Expo Center
Series Record: Lions lead 3-1
Coaches: Jeff Boschee (142-74 overall/at MSSU - 8th year). Justin Barkley (224-108 overall/at RSU - 11th year)
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
The two teams have only played three games in the series, with Lions holding a 3-1 record against the Hillcats. RSU won the first meeting in Joplin, but the Lions have won the last three in a row, including a matchup in the 2020 MIAA Tournament.
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 three point field goals per game, three point percentage, and total rebounds, and third in total rebounds per game.
MIAA Individual Stat Leaders
Stan Scott leads the MIAA in tootal steals, while ranking second in steals per game. Christian Bundy ranks second in total blocks and blocks per game, while Winston Dessesow ranks third in three point attempts, three point field goals per game and total three pointers made.
NCAA Individual Stat Leaders
Winston Dessesow ranks 18th in three point attempts, while ranking 22nd in total three pointers, and three pointers per game. Stan Scott is 18th in total steals and 29th in steals 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.
Comeback Kids
The Lions trailed by as many as 13 points in the game with Central Oklahoma, but a tip-in from Christian Bundy with 0.4 seconds left on the clock completed the comeback for Southern against the Bronchos.
Buzzer Beater Bundy
Christian Bundy had a pair of buzzer-beaters against Central Oklahoma and Newman at home. Bundy had a tip-in with 0.4 seconds left to give the Lions the win against UCO, and Bundy hit a three-pointer as the first half ended against Newman to lead by four.
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.
Career Night Part 4
Martin Macenis had career-highs in nearly every category against Central Oklahoma at home. Macenis posted career-highs with 13 points, six rebounds, two assists, two steals, a block and a three pointer made, while also making five field goals.
Career Night Part 5
Alex Jones posted a career-high of 14 points against Central Oklahoma as he helped key a 13-point comeback against the Bronchos.
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 265-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).
Up Next
The Lions will be back in action with a pair of games next week, hosting Central Missouri on Thursday and Lincoln on Saturday.
