Joplin, Mo. -- The Missouri Southern men's basketball team will be back inside the Leggett & Platt Athletic Center as the Lions play host to Rogers State this Wednesday night. Tip off from Robert Corn Court is set for 7:30 pm.
Game Information
Teams: Missouri Southern (9-7, 6-4 MIAA) vs. Rogers State (12-6, 6-6 MIAA)
Date: January 26, 2022
Tip-Off: 7:30 pm
Location: Joplin, Mo.
Site: Leggett & Platt Athletic Center
Series Record: Southern Leads 4-1
Coaches: Jeff Boschee (146-78 overall/at MSSU - 8th year). Justin Barkley (230-112 overall/at RSU - 11th year)
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
The two teams have only played three games in the series, with Lions holding a 4-1 record against the Hillcats. RSU won the first meeting in Joplin, but the Lions have won the last four including a matchup in the 2020 MIAA Tournament.
Clutch Kids
The Lions have been clutch when the games were close this season. Southern has a 5-0 record this year in games decided by five points or less.
MIAA Team Stat Leaders
The Lions lead the MIAA in offensive rebounds per game, while ranking second in total rebounds per game, third in blocks per game,fewest fouls and steals per game. The Lions rank in the top five in 12 different categories.
MIAA Individual Stat Leaders
Stan Scott ranks second in the MIAA in both steals per game and total steals, while Christian Bundy is second in offensive rebounds per game.
NCAA Individual Stat Leaders
Stan Scott 22nd in steals per game and 27th in total steals, while Winston Dessesow ranks 34th in three point attempts.
The Lions Are Perfect When ...
Southern is perfect this season when the Lions play in overtime (2-0), lead in rebounding (7-0), allow 69 points or less (3-0), out shoot the opponents (6-0) and when the game is decided by five points or less (5-0).
Earning The Start
Avery Taggart had 17 points and five rebounds against FHSU to move into the starting lineup with UNK. Taggart responded with 17 points and a career-high seven assists against the Lopers.
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 out scored 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.
Stop That Thief
Stan Scott is in secon7 the MIAA in both steals per game and total steals this year. On the season, Scott has 34 pickpockets.
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.
Tough Schedule
The Lions have played a tough schedule this year. While the MIAA is always brutal, the Lions have played or will play four teams currently ranked in the top-25. Northwest Missouri is 5th, while Central Oklahoma (12th) and Upper Iowa (20th) are all ranked. Fort Hays State is also receiving votes.
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 273-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 be back in action this Saturday as the Lions play host to Northeastern State at 3:30 pm inside the Leggett & Platt Athletic Center.
