Joplin, Mo. -- The Missouri Southern men's basketball team will start its final week of the regular season as the Lions travel to Washburn University on Thursday night to take on the Ichabods. Tip off from Lee Arena is set for 7:30 pm.
Game Information
Teams: Missouri Southern (14-12, 11-9 MIAA) at Washburn (17-9, 14-6 MIAA)
Date: Feb. 24, 2022
Tip-Off: 7:30 pm
Location: Topeka, Kan.
Site: Lee Arena
Series Record: Washburn leads 50-35
Coaches: Jeff Boschee (151-83 overall/at MSSU - 8th year). Brett Ballard (132-77 overall/99-47 at WU - 7th year)
Media Coverage
MSSU Radio: Mike McClure - Play by play - SOMO Sports Joplin - 101.3, AM 1560
Live Audio/Video/Stats - https://www.mssulions.com/coverage
Lions on Facebook: Facebook.com/mososports
Lions on Twitter: @mososports; @mssumensbball
Series Info
Washburn holds a 50-35 lead in the series, but Southern has won 19 out of the last 26 games. The Lions lead 20-19 in games played in Joplin, and Washburn holds a 30-12 vs. MSSU in Topeka. The Lions lead 3-1, on neutral floors. The Lions have had few winning streaks in the series. The longest, five games, has happened twice. The Ichabods won 11-straight from February 1984 through February 1989. Missouri Southern's most convincing victory was 37 points, 110-73, in 2013-14. Washburn's largest victory margin was 38 points, 94-56, and came in the 88-89 season. The Lions have won all three of the meetings in the NCAA Tournament. Three of the games in the series have went OT.
MIAA Team Stat Leaders
The Lions lead the MIAA in offensive rebounds per game, while ranking second in total rebounds per game and third in both total blocks and total rebounds. The Lions rank in the top five of 12 different MIAA categories.
MIAA Individual Stat Leaders
Christian Bundy leads the MIAA in total blocks and blocks per game, while Stan Scott ranks second in steals per game and third in total steals. Alex Jones is third in assist to turnover ratio.
The Lions Are Perfect When ...
Southern is perfect this 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).
Earning The Start
Avery Taggart had 17 points and five rebounds against FHSU to move into the starting lineup against UNK. Taggart responded with 17 points and a career-high seven assists against the Lopers.
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.
Comeback Kids 2
The Lions trailed by two different double-digit margins at Lincoln but the Lions faught 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 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. 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 47 pickpockets.
Welcome Back RJ
RJ Smith has been back three games since his ankle injury in late November and has been a sparkplug for the Lions off the bench. Smith is averaging 11.3 points and 5.3 rebounds, while shooting 62 percent from the field.
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.
600-300
Stan Scott and Christian Bundy both have at least 600 career points and 300 career rebounds. Scott has 831 points and 360 rebounds, while Bundy sits at 652 and 370.
Tough Schedule/Region
The Lions have played a tough schedule this year and the Central Region is tough as always. While the MIAA is always brutal, the Lions have played or will play four teams currently ranked in the top-25. Northwest Missouri is 13th, Upper Iowa is 14th, Central Oklahoma is 15th and Fort Hays State is 18th, while Truman is receiving votes. In the region, Augustana is fifth, while Minnesota-Duluth is 12th.
The Century Mark And Beyond
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. Boschee won his 150th game against MWSU in 2022 and became the fastest to 150, doing it in 230 games. Chuck Williams did it in 275, while Robert Corn reached it in 291 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 279-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 finish the regular season with a game at Central Oklahoma on Saturday.
