Joplin, Mo. -- The Missouri Southern men's basketball team will play host to Northeastern State this Saturday to conclude a quick two-game home stand. Tip off from Robert Corn Court inside the Leggett & Platt Athletic Center is set for 3:30 pm.
Game Information
Teams: Missouri Southern (10-7, 7-4 MIAA) vs. Northeastern State (10-9, 5-8 MIAA)
Date: January 29, 2022
Tip-Off: 3:30 pm
Location: Joplin, Mo.
Site: Leggett & Platt Athletic Center
Series Record: Southern Leads 26-19
Coaches: Jeff Boschee (147-78 overall/at MSSU - 8th year). Ja Havens (146-100 overall/15-26 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 12 out of the last 17 meetings between the two schools and hold an overall record of 26-19 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 18-5 at home, 5-14 on the road and 3-0 in a neutral site against the RiverHawks.
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 (8-0), allow 69 points or less (4-0), out shoot the opponents (7-0) 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.
Heating Up
Over the last three games, Stan Scott and Avery Taggart have led the Lions on the court. Scott is averaging 21.3 points and 13.7 rebounds in that time frame, while Taggart is scoring 17.7 points and is averaging 4.3 assists per game.
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 second in the MIAA in both steals per game and total steals this year. On the season, Scott has 38 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 vs. Lincoln.
500-300
Stan Scott and Christian Bundy both have at least 500 career points and 300 career rebounds. Scott has 701 points and 305 rebounds, while Bundy sits at 571 and 331.
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 274-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 head back on the road for three games next week as Southern starts at 5th-ranked Northwest Missouri on Tuesday. The Lions will be at Lincoln on Thursday and finish the week at Central Missouri next Saturday.
