Jefferson City, Mo. - The Missouri Southern men's basketball team was at the state's capitol Saturday afternoon, taking on the Lincoln Blue Tigers. In their final contest of 2023, the Lions fell to the Blue Tigers by a score of 76-65, making their record 4-8 (2-4 MIAA) heading into the break.
On the Lions' first possession of the game,
Darius Dawson converted an and-one play on a dish from
Avery Taggart to start out 3-0. After a Lincoln field goal, Dawson scored again to make it 5-2.
Avery Taggart made a pair of free throws before the Blue Tigers took their first lead at 8-7. Dawson scored again to regain the lead, and
Vinson Sigmon Jr. made a basket to extend it.
Martin Macenis,
Sam Thompson, and
Parker Long got in on the scoring before the under-10 media timeout, where Lincoln led 20-16.
Right out of the break,
Avery Taggart nailed a three to get within one. The teams went back and forth exchanging three pointers, as
Winston Dessesow also hit one for MSSU.
Vinson Sigmon Jr. hit a couple straight baskets, and Dessesow made another as well, regaining the lead at 28-26. A pair of free throws by the Blue Tigers evened the score again, but
Parker Long then drained a three. Long would make another basket and Macenis sank a pair of free throws, making the score 35-34 at the half.
The teams went back and forth at the beginning of the second half, swapping leads multiple times. Around the 15 minute mark,
Avery Taggart made a pair of free throws and
Martin Macenis added a layup, giving MSSU a 43-40 lead. A few minutes later, Taggart nailed a three to extend their lead to five. Soon after, the Blue Tigers responded to eventually take the lead.
Darius Dawson scored a layup at the 8:21 mark to make the score 52-51 MSSU, but LU answered on their next possession. The Lions kept fighting the remainder of the game, but the Blue Tigers held on for a 76-65 final score.
Avery Taggart led the Lions in scoring, finishing with 15 on the afternoon. He also had 5 rebounds, 2 steals, an assist, and a block.
Darius Dawson went 5-7 from the field, ending with 11 points, 5 rebounds, and 4 blocks.
Vinson Sigmon Jr. also hit double digits, dropping 10 points.
Sam Thompson finished with a team-high 6 rebounds.
The Lions will kick off the 2024 portion of their season with a road contest against Pittsburg State. That contest is scheduled for Saturday, January 6 at 3:30 PM, taking place at the John Lance Arena located in Pittsburg, Kansas.
The Missouri Southern men's basketball season is presented by Arvest Bank, a proud supporter of Lion Athletics.
