Joplin, Mo. -- The Missouri Southern men's basketball team will start a three-game road trip tomorrow night as the Lions head to play fifth-ranked Northwest Missouri. Tip off from Bearcat Arena is set for 6 pm.
Game Information
Teams: Missouri Southern (11-7, 8-4 MIAA) at No. 5 Northwest Missouri State (19-2, 12-1 MIAA)
Date: Feb. 1, 2022
Tip-Off: 6:00 pm
Location: Maryville, Mo.
Site: Bearcat Arena
Series Record: Northwest Leads 39-24
Coaches: Jeff Boschee (148-78 overall/at MSSU - 8th year). Ben McCollum (319-80 overall/at NWMO - 13th 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
Northwest leads the overall series 39-24, but the Bearcats are 14-13 in the last 27 games, including the only defeat the Bearcats had all of 2016-17 when they won a National Championship. Missouri Southern is 17-10 at home against Northwest Missouri, while the Lions are 6-21 in Maryville. Northwest has won all but one of the neutral site games. While many of the games have been close, Northwest's biggest victory margin was 27 points, in the 2006 MIAA Tournament. Southern's most-lopsided win was a 93-67 decision on January 29, 2000. The Lions are 2-4 against Northwest Missouri in MIAA Tournament history.
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, Southern ranks third in assists per game, blocks per game, steals per game, and total assists, while 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. Christian Bundy is fourth in offensive rebounds per game, while Winston Dessesow is fourth in three point attempts and three's made, Scott is fourth in defensive rebounds and free throw attempts, and Alex Jones is fourth in assist to turnover ratio.
NCAA Individual Stat Leaders
Stan Scott 27th in both steals per game and total steals, while Winston Dessesow ranks 37th in three point attempts and Alex Jones is 43rd in assist to turnover ratio.
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 (5-0), 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 four games, Stan Scott and Avery Taggart have led the Lions on the court. Scott is averaging 21.3 points and 13.8 rebounds in that time frame, while Taggart is scoring 17.0 points and is averaging 3.8 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.
Welcome Back RJ
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 1
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 2
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 3
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 4
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 5
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.
500-300
Stan Scott and Christian Bundy both have at least 500 career points and 300 career rebounds. Scott has 722 points and 319 rebounds, while Bundy sits at 584 and 333.
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 continue their road trip as the Lions will be at Lincoln on Thursday and finish the week at Central Missouri next Saturday.
