Joplin, Mo. -- The Missouri Southern men's basketball program will be back on the road this week as the Lions start a two-game road trip at 6th-ranked Central Oklahoma Thursday night. Tip off from Hamilton Fieldhouse is set for 7:30 pm.
Game Information
Teams: Missouri Southern (4-4, 0-2 MIAA) vs. #6 Central Oklahoma (7-0, 2-0 MIAA)
Date: Dec. 8, 2022
Tip-Off: 7:30 pm
Location: Edmond, Okla.
Site: Hamilton Fieldhouse
Series Record: Southern leads 13-7
Coaches: Sam McMahon (4-4 overall/at MSSU - 1st year). Bob Hoffman (962-370 overall/55-34 at UCO)
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
Southern holds a 13-7 advantage in the series between the two teams and the Lions have won 11 of the last 13. The first time the two teams played was in 1973 with Central Oklahoma taking that game in Joplin. The two teams didn't play again until 1991, then played twice more until 2013 when UCO joined the MIAA. The Lions are 6-4 at home, 4-3 on the road and 2-0 in neutral site games.
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: allowing 69 points or less (3-0), making more free throws (4-0), attempting more free throws (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.
MIAA Ranks
Ndongo Ndaw leads the MIAA in total blocks and ranks second in the MIAA in blocks per game.
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.
Making The Most Of A Start
Vinson Sigmon Jr. has made the most of his return to the starting lineup. Against the three-time defending national champions Northwest Missouri, he finished with 10 points and a team-high eight rebounds while blocking a shot and coming away with a steal. To end the week against Missouri Western he had 22 points shooting 8-of-15 from the field, 4-of-6 from three and made two free throws while adding six rebounds and three assists with two steals. For the season the junior guard is averaging 9.8 points and 3.6 rebounds a game while shooting 83.3 percent from free throws, 45.3 percent from the field and is 10-22 from three (45.5).
Tough Schedule/Region
The Lions will play 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. 6 and Emporia State is ranked No. 16, while Minnesota State is ranked No. 9. Fort Hays State and Illinois-Springfield are getting votes. There are three teams from the Central Region in the top-10, while four teams are ranked in the top-25. A total of six 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 290-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 continue the rod trip by heading to Newman on December 10.
