Joplin, Mo. - The Missouri Southern men's basketball team will hit the road one last time to Oklahoma to face off with Northeastern State and Rogers State. Southern is set to play the RiverHawks tomorrow before ending the week on Saturday against the Hillcats.
Game Information
Teams: Missouri Southern (11-5, 7-3 MIAA) at Northeastern State (9-6, 6-5 MIAA) & Rogers State (9-8, 5-6 MIAA)
Date: Jan. 18th & 21st, 2023
Tip-Off: 7:30 pm & 3:30 pm
Location: Tahlequah, Okla. & Claremore, Okla.
Sites: NSU Event Center & Claremore Expo Center
Series Record: Lions lead 27-19 overall, RiverHawks lead 14-5 in Tahlequah. Lions lead 5-1, 2-0 in Claremore.
Coaches
Sam McMahon (1st Season at MSSU / Overall, 11-5),
Ja Havens (3rd Season at NSU, 30-37), (10th Season Overall, 161-111)
Justin Barkley (13th Season at RSU / Overall, 243-128)
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
New Leader Of The Pride
For the first time in eight years, the Lions are under new leadership as former assistant coach Sam McMahon was introduced as the seventh head coach in program history on April 5, 2022.
Win No. 1
Sam McMahon picked up his first collegiate coaching win against Illinois Springfield, 89-80 at the Pittsburg State Classic on Nov. 18.
Fast 10
Sam McMahon has picked up 10 wins in only 14 games as head coach of the Lions to tie a program record set by Frank Davis in 1968-69 with both coaches needing 14 games to achieve double digit wins in their inaugural seasons. If the Lions beat Washburn, McMahon will have the best record for a first year head coach in their first 15 games with Davis (68-69), Chuck Williams (77-78) and Jeff Boschee (14-15) all going 10-5 in their first 15 games.
New Assistant Coaches
The Lions will have two new assistant coaches roaming the sidelines this year, in Jason Owens and Paul McMahon. Owens has coached in the MIAA before with Pittsburg State under Kim Anderson from 2017-19 and has also had stops at Missouri State - West Plains, Southeast Missouri State, Moberly Area Community College, Neosho Community College and Seina Heights. Paul McMahon is back for his second stint roaming the sidelines in Joplin after spending a year away from the school and is entering his sixth season with the Green & Gold.
Statement First MIAA Win
Southern went in and defeated previously undefeated and 6th ranked Central Oklahoma 56-50 in Edmond this year. It was the first MIAA win for the team and coach Sam McMahon as Winston Dessesow (14), Vinson Sigmon Jr. (12) and Ndongo Ndaw (11) scored in double figures, Ndaw picked up his first double-double of his career for the Lions with 11 rebounds but Christian Bundy had a game-high 14 rebounds in the game.
Thompson Is A Welcome Addition
Through 14 games with the Lions, Sam Thompson is averaging 8.1 points and 4.3 rebounds a game in 18.6 minutes. The sophomore forward from St. Charles, Mo. has scored in double figures in seven games this season including in the first two games which included a 16 point performance against Winona State.
Bundy Had A Stellar Week
Christian Bundy averaged a double-double, posting 12.5 points and 12 rebounds per game while on the road against #6 Central Oklahoma and Newman. For the week Bundy shot 47 percent from the field as well as having 1.5 steals per game and picked up a 16 point, 10 rebound double-double against the Jets.
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 404 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 303 straight games since Arkansas Tech in 2012-13. During the streak the Lions have made one three in two games, two threes in five games, three threes in eight games, four threes in 17 games, five threes in 24 games, six threes in 32 games, seven threes in 32 games, eight threes in 43 games, nine threes in 32 games, 10 threes in 37 games, 11 threes in 22 games, 12 threes in nine games, 13 threes in 13 games, 14 threes in 12 games, 15 threes in six games, 16 threes in four games, 17 threes in one game, 18 threes in three games, 20 threes in one game and 22 threes in one game.
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.
First Time Meeting Each Other Eh?
The Lions have played three 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 with all games resulting in a Southern win.
