Joplin, Mo. - The Missouri Southern men's basketball team is hitting the road for the first time in 2023 with the longest road trips of conference play this week. Having already defeating Pittsburg State on Monday, 84-63 at home the Lions will now play RV Fort Hays State tomorrow at 7:30pm from Gross Memorial Coliseum in Hays, Kan. and will end the week in Kearney, Neb. against Nebraska - Kearney on Saturday with tip off from the Health & Sports Center set for 4:00pm.
Game Information
Teams: Missouri Southern (8-4, 4-2 MIAA) vs RV Fort Hays State (10-3, 5-2 MIAA), Nebraska - Kearney (2-11, 0-7 MIAA)
Date: Jan. 5th & 7th, 2022
Tip-Off: 7:30 pm & 4:00 pm
Location: Hays, Kan. (Thursday), Kearney, Neb. (Saturday)
Sites: Gross Memorial Coliseum (Thursday) & Health & Sports Center (Saturday)
Series Record: FHSU leads 36-22, 22-5 in Hays, Kan. UNK leads 23-18, 14-5 in Kearney, Neb.
Coaches: Sam McMahon (1st Season at MSSU / Overall, 8-4), Mark Johnson (22nd Season at FHSU / Overall, 417-206), Kevin Lofton (18th Season at UNK / Overall, 260-234)
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.
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.
What A Comeback
Central Missouri led by as many as 14 points in the first half at home against the Lions, but Southern utilized a 24-6 run over the final five and first five minutes of the first and second half, respectively, to come back and defeat the Mules 82-74.
Jackson's Career Game
Tyriqe Jackson impressed in his third career start against Tabor finishing with a team-high 22 minutes played to go with 16 points shooting 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, while Martin Macenis (9) and Ndongo Ndaw (8) had 17 rebounds between the pair.
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.
Ndaw Right Now
Ndongo Ndaw has had a good start to life as the starting center for the Lions averaging 9.0 points, 7.3 rebounds and 1.5 blocks a game while shooting 53.3 percent from the field in 22.3 minutes a game in the four games he has started and the Lions are 4-0 as well during this time.
Thompson Is A Welcome Addition
Through 12 games with the Lions, Sam Thompson is averaging 8.0 points and 3.7 rebounds a game in 16.4 minutes. The sophomore forward from St. Charles, Mo. has scored in double figures in six 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.
MIAA Individual Ranks
Ndongo Ndaw leads the MIAA in blocks (19) and blocks per game (1.6) while being fifth for rebounds per game at (7.4) and rebounds (89). Vinson Sigmon Jr. ranks seventh in the conference for steals per game (1.7) and is ninth for steals with (20). Winston Dessesow is sixth for threes pointers made per game (2.45) and eight for threes made (27). Avery Taggart is fifth in assist-turnover ratio (1.78), eighth for assists per game (3.4) and tenth for assists (41).
MIAA Team Ranks
As a team the Lions rank second in the conference for rebounding margin (+6.8), third in rebounds per game (39.1), fourth for blocks per game (3.5) and for points per game (75.0) and is fifth for assists per game (13.4).
Making The Most Of His Starts
Vinson Sigmon Jr. made the most of his return to the starting lineup. Against the three-time defending national champions and #1 Northwest Missouri, he finished with 10 points and a team-high eight rebounds while adding a block and 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 11.4 points and 3.6 rebounds a game while shooting 80.0 percent from free throws, 45.9 percent from the field and is 15-40 from three (37.5).
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 301 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 42 games, nine threes in 31 games, 10 threes in 36 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.
D1 Transfers
Southern will have five NCAA Division I transfers on its roster this year with three returning from last season and three newcomers. Avery Taggart (Southern Illinois), Ndongo Ndaw (Indiana State) and Odell Wilson (North Dakota State) return from last year's squad, while Sam Thompson and Parker Long (Southeast Missouri) will be joining the team this year.
Family Battles In The MIAA
Missouri Southern point guards Parker Long and Isiah Holden have brothers that play in the MIAA this season, with Long's brother Owen playing for Emporia State and Holden's brother Jaheim playing for Fort Hays State.
From The Motor City To Joplin
New this season to the team is Vinson Sigmon Jr. a junior guard who played at Division-II Wisconsin - Parkside for three seasons. Last season Sigmon Jr. started in 11 games while appearing in all 28 for the Rangers while averaging 9.2 points, 2.7 rebounds and 1.8 assists a game while going 46-of-117 from three for 39.3 percent.
How Do You Say That?
Ndongo Ndaw pronounces his name Ndongo (Nongo) Ndaw (Now).
