Joplin, Mo. -- The Missouri Southern men's basketball team will stay on the road as the Lions will participate in the Pittsburg State Classic this weekend taking on Illinois-Springfield on Friday night and Quincy on Saturday. Both games will start at 5:30 pm from John Lance Arena.
Game Information
Teams: Missouri Southern (0-2) vs. Illinois-Springfield (3-0)/Quincy (1-2)
Date: November 18/19, 2022
Tip-Off: 5:30 pm
Location: Pittsburg, Kan.
Site: John Lance Arena
Series Record: First game vs. UIS, QU leads 3-2
Coaches: Sam McMahon (0-2 overall/at MSSU - 1st year). Steve Hawkins (429-375 overall/138-113 at QU) Matt Brock (124-83 overall/34-45 at UIS - 7th season)
Media Coverage
MSSU Radio: Mike McClure - Play by play - 101-7 the Vault - 101.7 FM
Live Audio/Video/Stats - https://www.mssulions.com/coverage
Lions on Facebook: Facebook.com/mososports
Lions on Twitter: @mososports; @mssumensbball
Series Info
The Lions haven't played a game against Illinois-Springfield in their history, but the Prairie Stars' head coach is a familiar name as Matt Brock is a Southwest Missouri native and played at Truman. The Lions and Quincy have played five times in the history of the two programs. Southern has won the last two in a row, but Quincy has a 3-2 advantage overall.
New Sheriff In Town
For the first time in eight years, the Lions are under the leadership of a new head coach. Former assistant coach Sam McMahon will be the new head coach for the Lions.
New Assistant Coaches
The Lions will have two new assistant coaches roaming the sidelines this year, but one of them is a familiar face. Paul McMahon is back to assist his brother, while the new face will be Jason Owens.
The Lions Are Perfect When ...
Last season Southern was perfect last season when the Lions play in overtime (2-0), attempt more free throws (9-0), play on Monday (2-0) and allow 69 points or less (8-0).
Have A Game Tyriqe
Tyriqe Jackson had a career-night as the sophomore went 6-of-7 from the field and 2-of-3 from long range, scoring a career-high 14 points.
Ndongo With The Game
Ndongo Ndaw had a career-high 11 points in the season-opener this season against Minnesota State.
Welcome To The Pride
Sam Thompson had a pair of great games to open his career as a Lion. Through two games, Thompson is averaging 13 points and 4.5 rebounds.
Comeback Kids
The Lions trailed by as many as 13 points in the game with Central Oklahoma last season, but a tip-in from Christian Bundy with 0.4 seconds left on the clock completed the comeback for Southern against the Bronchos.
Comeback Kids 2
The Lions trailed by two different double-digit margins at Lincoln in 2022, but the Lions fought back and scored as time was expiring to defeat the Blue Tigers in Jefferson City.
Put It Back Winston
The Lions needed a bucket to complete the comeback at Lincoln last year and after a missed shot came right to him, Winston Dessesow calmly drained a 14 footer off the left side to seal the win.
Buzzer Beater Bundy
Christian Bundy had a pair of buzzer-beaters against Central Oklahoma and Newman at home last season. 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.
Make Some 3's
The 18 three's Southern made against UCO in the regular-season finale last year were the most since the 2019-20 season against Rogers State (2-1-20) where they went 18-for-34. Southern also tied a school record for attempted threes of 42 when they played Baptist Bible on 11-29-18.
Career-Night Part 1
Avery Taggart has had back-to-back career games last year as he scored 25 points on the road at Missouri Western and followed that up with a 26-point performance at Washburn.
Career-Night Part 2
Winston Dessesow had a career-high 26 points against Southwest Baptist last season 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 this past season. 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.
Tough Schedule/Region
The Lions will lay a tough schedule as always this year and the Central Region is one of the best. While the MIAA is always brutal, Northwest Missouri is ranked No. 1, while Central Oklahoma is ranked No. 10. There are a pair of teams from the Central Region in the top-10, while seven teams are ranked in the top-25. A total of 10 teams are either ranked or receiving votes in the latest NABC Poll.
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 284-straight games since Arkansas Tech in 2012-13.
Lions In The Pros
Currently, there are eight active former Lions playing professionally in Europe or overseas. Stan Scott (Riachuelo LR - Argentina), Elyjah Clark (Olimpico - Argentina), Skyler Bowlin (Bakken - Denmark), Vincent Ateba (Saint Vallier - France), Jordan Talbert (SBB Baskets - Germany), Marquis Addison (Dinamo Stiinta - Romania), Keane Thoma (BAC - Denmark) and Enis Memic (Igman Burch - Bosnia) all are playing professionally.
Hey Who Are You?
The Lions are playing Illinois-Springfield for the first time ever in both program's history.
D1 Transfers
Southern will have five NCAA Division I transfers on its roster this year with three returning from last season and three newcomers this year. Avery Taggart (Southern Illinois), Ndongo Ndaw (Indiana State) and Odell Wilson (North Dakota State) return from last year's squad, while Sam Thompson (Southeast Missouri) and Parker long (Southeast Missouri) will be joining the team this year.
You Look Familiar
Missouri Southern point guard Parker Long has a twin brother. Not only does he have a twin, but his brother plays college basketball and will get to face off with Parker multiple times in the next few years as his brother (Owen) is a guard at Emporia State.
Welcome Aboard
In addition to a bevy of D1 transfers, the Lions also brought in D2 transfer Vinson Sigmon, Jr. Sigmon played at Wisconsin-Parkside a season ago where he started in 11 games and played in all 28, averaging 9.2 points per game for the Rangers.
How Do You Say That?
Ndongo Ndaw pronounces his name Ndongo (Nongo) Ndaw (Now).
Up Next
The Lions will be home on Monday night as Southern plays host to Tabor College at 7 pm.
