Springfield, Mo. - Missouri Southern played in the Double Tree Thanksgiving Classic again Wednesday evening, taking on the host of the tournament in the Drury Panthers. The Lions fought back from an early deficit, but the Panthers regained the lead and held on for the remainder of the game, 76-70. With the loss, MSSU falls to 2-3 to begin the season.
Down 6-0 early,
Cam Williams hit the first jumper for Missouri Southern to get them on the board. The Panthers then used a few minutes to take a double-digit lead. A three-point play by
Darius Dawson sparked a 9-0 run to make the score 17-15 in favor of Drury.
Just under the 10 minute mark,
Cam Williams made another jumper and
Avery Taggart sank a pair of free throws to bring the Lions within one. After Drury extended their lead again to seven, the Lions responded with another push, as
Cam Williams threw down a dunk to give MSSU their first lead of the contest at 31-30 with 4:37 left in the first half. It was a fight to the end of the period as the teams went back and forth, and
Darius Dawson grabbed an offensive rebound and stepped out beyond the arc to make a three right before time expired, making the score 40-37 Drury at the break.
The hosts jumped out early again in the second half, but
Avery Taggart made a couple baskets and
Parker Long drove home a layup to cut the deficit back to three. At the 8:03 mark, the Panthers pushed their lead to 62-51, but the Lions weren't done. In their fight back,
Avery Taggart faced a rare four-point play opportunity, draining a three while being fouled, following up with a free throw. That made the score 67-63. Missouri Southern got back within three with just over a minute left, but free throws closed it out for Drury, 76-70.
Darius Dawson scored a season-high 19 points on 8-15 shooting from the field. He added 8 rebounds, 3 steals, and a block as well.
Cam Williams finished with 18 points with 4 rebounds, 3 steals, 1 assist, and 1 block.
Avery Taggart ended with 16 points, 8 rebounds, 2 assists, and a steal.
The team will return home for their final non-conference game of the year. On Saturday, November 25, the Lions will play host to the Rockhurst Hawks. Game time is scheduled for 3:00 PM at the Leggett and Platt Athletic Center.
The Missouri Southern men's basketball season is presented by Arvest Bank, a proud supporter of Lion Athletics.
