Joplin, Mo. -- The Missouri Southern men's basketball team will finally be back at it tomorrow night when the Lions head to Northeastern State to take on the RiverHawks. Tip off from the NSU Event Center is set for 7:30 pm.
Game Information
Teams: Missouri Southern (7-4, 4-1 MIAA) at Northeastern State (8-7, 3-6 MIAA)
Date: January 11, 2022
Tip-Off: 7:30 pm
Location: Tahlequah, Okla.
Site: NSU Event Center
Series Record: Southern leads 25-19
Coaches: Jeff Boschee (144-75 overall/at MSSU - 8th year). Ja Havens (144-98 overall/13-24 at NSU)
Media Coverage
MSSU Radio: Mike McClure - Play by play - SOMO 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 has won 11 out of the last 16 meetings between the two schools and hold an overall record of 25-19 against the RiverHawks. The Lions' 77-69 overtime win at home in 2006 stopped a three-game losing streak to the RiverHawks. Southern had won just three times in Tahlequah, but the Lions picked up a win at Jack Dobbins Fieldhouse in 2012 and in 2014 and won again in 2021 inside the NSU Event Center. The Lions are 18-6 at home, 3-13 on the road and 3-0 in a neutral site against the RiverHawks.
MIAA Team Stat Leaders
The Lions lead the MIAA in offensive rebounds per game, while ranking third in blocks per game, and fewest turnovers. The Lions rank in the top five of 11 different offensive and defensive categories.
MIAA Individual Stat Leaders
Stan Scott leads the MIAA in steals per game, while ranking second in total steals. Christian Bundy ranks third in blocks per game.
NCAA Individual Stat Leaders
Stan Scott ranks 18th in total steals and 21st in steals per game, while Winston Dessesow ranks 44th in three point attempts.
Long Time, No Play
When you mix in the holiday break and the three postponed games, the Lions have not had a game since December 18.
See Stan Score
Stan 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.
Career-Night Part 6
Christian Bundy had a pair of career-highs against Lincoln. The junior from Nixa had a career-high in points with 29 and free throws made with 14.
Career-Night Part 7
Ndongo Ndaw posted a career-high eight rebounds against Lincoln.
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 268-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).
Up Next
The Lions will play host to Washburn this Thursday at 7:30 inside the Leggett & Plat Athletic Center.
