Jefferson City, Mo. - The Missouri Southern men's basketball team will play in their final contest of 2023 on Saturday. They will visit the near-perfect Blue Tigers of Lincoln. Tip-off for that contest is scheduled for 3:00 PM.   

Game Information
Teams: Missouri Southern (4-7, 2-3 MIAA) vs Lincoln Blue Tigers (7-1, 2-1 MIAA)
Date: December 16
Tip-Off: 3:00 PM
Location: Jefferson City, Mo.
Site: Jason Gym
Series Record: MSSU leads 34-14 | Southern has won 6 of the previous 10 meetings

Coaches
MSSU: Sam McMahon | 2nd season at MSSU | 21-20 record
LU: Jimmy Drew | 2nd season at LU | 24-11 record

Media Coverage
MSSU Radio: Mike McClure - Play by play - 101.7 FM The Vault
Live Audio/Video/Stats - https://www.mssulions.com/coverage
Lions on Facebook:  Facebook.com/mssumbb
Lions on Twitter: @mssumensbball; @mososports
Lions on Instagram: @mssumensbball

Scouting the Lions
Missouri Southern currently has a 4-7 (2-3 MIAA) record in the 2023-24 season. They began the year with a split in their opening tournament, falling to now-ranked #2 MSU Moorhead 99-81, but taking down Bemidji State 69-61. In their first home game, the Lions handled Central Christian 92-56. MSSU fell in both contests at the Double Tree Thanksgiving Classic, Illinois Springfield taking the first game 96-77, and Drury holding off Missouri Southern 76-70 in the second game. In their final non-conference contest of the season, the Lions fell to the Rockhurst Hawks. 

To begin conference play, MSSU nearly completed an upset bid over #15 Northwest Missouri on their court, but fell 78-74. Closing out that series, the Lions fell on a last second shot to then-undefeated Missouri Western, 62-61. In their home conference opener, the Lions fell 73-63 to #3 nationally ranked Central Oklahoma. The Lions bounced back with a strong 99-77 win over Newman, shooting lights out in that contest, 58.3% from the field and 90.9% from the free throw line. They nearly picked up their second straight 20+ point win, taking down Central Missouri 75-56 in Warrensburg. Again, the Lions shot well, going 28-49 (57.1%) from the field as a team. 

Darius Dawson had a career night against the Mules, recording his second double-double with a career-high 29 points and 10 rebounds. His 64.7 FG% ranks 2nd in the MIAA and his 7.1 rebounds per game ranks 7th. 

Martin Macenis continued to show his effectiveness off the bench, recording 9 points on 3-3 shooting while grabbing 6 rebounds, dishing 5 assists, and making 1 block.

Vinson Sigmon Jr. is also averaging double digit points per game at 11.0, dishing out 19 assists so far this season.

Scouting the Blue Tigers
The Lincoln Blue Tigers enter Saturday's contest with a near perfect record at 7-1 (2-1 MIAA). They started the year with a five game winning streak, and have currently won their past two contests. In their opening tournament, the Blue Tigers took down Harding 78-70 and Ouachita Baptist 68-63. They followed with a pair of big margins of victory over Harris-Stowe, 84-68, and Spurgeon, 109-77. Kicking off conference play, Lincoln defeated Newman 83-71, but fell to #3 Central Oklahoma 79-55. The Blue Tigers defeated Hannibal-LaGrange 66-48, and most recently took down Central Missouri by a score of 61-52. UCM led 25-21 at the half, but Lincoln outscored them 40-27 in the second half.

DJ Richardson was key in that contest, scoring 22 points, grabbing 6 rebounds, and dishing 4 assists. He is leading the team with 16.3 points per game and 24 assists on the year. 

Franck Yetna is averaging 12.5 points per game on 65.5% shooting from the field, which leads the MIAA. He leads the team with 15 steals. 

Elijah Farr is leading the conference in rebounding, averaging 9.9 per contest. His 24 assists and 10 blocks are also team-highs. 

The Missouri Southern men's basketball season is presented by Arvest Bank, a proud supporter of Lion Athletics.