Joplin, Mo. -- The Missouri Southern men's basketball team will jump right into MIAA play this week as the Lions play host to No. 1 ranked Northwest Missouri Thursday evening inside the Leggett & Platt Athletic Center. Tip off from Robert Corn Court is slated for 7:30 pm.
Game Information
Teams: Missouri Southern (4-2, 0-0 MIAA) vs. #1 Northwest Missouri (6-0, 0-0 MIAA)
Date: Dec. 1, 2022
Tip-Off: 7:30 pm
Location: Joplin, Mo.
Site: Robert Corn Court/Leggett & Platt Athletic Center
Series Record: Northwest leads 41-24
Coaches: Sam McMahon (4-2 overall/at MSSU - 1st year). Ben McCollum (340-83 overall/at NWMSU - 14th year)
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
Northwest leads the overall series 41-24, and the Lions are 13-16 in the last 28 games, including the only defeat the Bearcats had all of 2016-17 when they won a National Championship. Missouri Southern is 17-11 at home against Northwest Missouri, while the Lions are 6-22 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.
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.
First Coaching Win
Sam McMahon picked up his first collegiate coaching win against Illinois-Springfield at the Pittsburg State Classic on November 18.
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 ...
This season, the Lions are perfect when: playing at home (2-0), allowing 69 points or less (3-0), having fewer turnovers (3-0), making more free throws (4-0), attempting more free throws (4-0), attempt fewer three pointers (2-0), have more steals (4-0), and playing on Monday (1-0).
Have A Game Tyriqe
Tyriqe Jackson keeps impressing as he posted his second career game, this time against Tabor. Jackson scored 16 points on 6-of-8 from the field.
Off the Bench Performance
Southern scored 42 of its 89 points off the bench against Central Christian. Winston Dessesow led all scorers with 19 points off the bench, while Martin Macenis (9) and Ndongo Ndaw (8) had 17 rebounds between the pair - all off the bench.
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.
NCAA National Ranks
Ndongo Ndaw ranks 21st nationally in blocked shots and 39th in blocks per game, while leading the MIAA in both those categories - all off the bench this year. Ndaw also ranks fourth in the MIAA in rebounds.
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, Central Oklahoma is ranked No. 7 and Emporia State is ranked No. 23. There are a pair of teams from the Central Region in the top-10, while four teams are ranked in the top-25. A total of eight 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 288-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 have played multiple opponents this year for the first time ever. Southern has played the first game in it's history against Illinois-Springfield, Tabor and Central Christian.
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 play host to Missouri Western this Saturday at 3:30 pm from Robert Corn Court inside the Leggett & Platt Athletic Center.
