Joplin, Mo. -- The Missouri Southern men's basketball team will be back at home for a pair of MIAA games before Christmas, as the Lions play host to Central Missouri this Thursday. Tip off from Robert Corn Court inside the Leggett & Platt Athletic Center is set for 7:30 pm.
Game Information
Teams: Missouri Southern (6-3, 3-0 MIAA) vs. Central Missouri (4-3, 1-2 MIAA)
Date: December 16, 2021
Tip-Off: 7:30 pm
Location: Joplin, Mo.
Site: Leggett & Platt Athletic Center
Series Record: Central leads 39-31
Coaches: Jeff Boschee (143-74 overall/at MSSU - 8th year). Doug Karleskint (204-125 overall/115-91 at UCM - 12th year/8th at UCM)
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
Central leads the series 39-31 but the Lions have won eight of the last 11 games, including the last three in a row. The Lions are 19-13 vs. UCM at home and 11-21 on the road. Central has won all but one of the neutral site battles between the two clubs. The Lions are 1-5 all-time against the Mules in MIAA Tournament games after getting a win over then No. 18 ranked UCM in 2015 and Southern has played Central Missouri once in the NCAA 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 total rebounds per game and third in total rebounds. The Lions rank in the top five in 12 different categories.
MIAA Individual Stat Leaders
Stan Scott leads the MIAA in total steals, while ranking second in steals per game. Christian Bundy ranks third in offensive rebounds per game, while Winston Dessesow ranks third in three point attempts.
NCAA Individual Stat Leaders
Stan Scott ranks 12th in total steals and 13th in steals per game, while Winston Dessesow ranks 25th in three point attempts.
See Stan Score
Stan Scott Scott helped lead a huge second-half comeback as the Lions won on the road at Rogers State. Scott and the Lions trailed by six at the break, but outscored the Hillcats by 20 in the second half to come away with the win. Scott ended the game with 26 points and ten rebounds, as well as a career-high five steals, going 10-of-14 from the field and 6-of-9 from the free throw 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 266-straight games since Arkansas Tech in 2012-13.
Lions In The Pros
Currently, there are ten active former Lions playing professionally in Europe or overseas. Skyler Bowlin (Telekom Baskets - Germany), Marquis Addison (Groningen - Holland), Yagizhan Selcuk (Buraspor Drumazlar - Turkey), Elyjah Clark (Olimpico - Argentina), Taevaunn Prince (AS-Police - Mali) Enis Memic (Bosna Royal - Bosina), Keane Thomann (BAC - Denmark), Jordan Talbert (SBB Baskets - Germany), Vincent Ateba (Saint Vallier Basket Drome - France) and Lawrence Brown (Chicago Legends) 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).
NCAA D2SIDA Central Region Poll
The Lions are back in the Division II Sports Information Director's Central Region Poll this week. Southern is 6-3 on the season and is ranked eighth in the latest poll.
Up Next
The Lions will be back in action this Saturday, playing host to Lincoln University. Tip off from Robert Corn Court inside the Leggett & Platt Athletic Center is set for 3:30 pm.
