St. Joseph, Mo. - The Lions wrapped up their first series of conference play Saturday evening, taking on the Missouri Western Griffons who received votes in the latest coaches poll. Missouri Southern nearly handed Missouri Western their first loss of the season, but a last second three gave the Griffons a 62-61 victory. The Lions move to 2-6 (0-2 MIAA) with the loss.
It was a slow start for both teams, as the score read 3-2 MSSU nearly three minutes into the game. Missouri Western then took a 7-3 lead, but
Darius Dawson threw down a dunk and
Avery Taggart nailed a three to take over once again. Dawson followed up with a layup and
Winston Dessesow drained a shot from beyond the arc to extend that lead.
At the 9:30 mark,
Cam Williams found
Sam Thompson who slammed one down for a 15-9 Lion lead. The Griffons evened the score at 17-17, then
Avery Taggart completed a four-point play after being fouled while he made a three. For the remainder of the period, the teams fought back and forth, but big three point field goals by
Cam Williams and
Vinson Sigmon Jr. helped MSSU take a 33-26 lead into the break.
Picking up where he left off, Sigmon Jr. made the team's first two baskets of the second half, creating a double-digit lead. Missouri Western responded to get within four, but
Cam Williams made a jumper and
Darius Dawson put down another dunk.
Martin Macenis then got in on the action, scoring a couple baskets to help push the lead to 10 once again.
The hosts didn't give in, getting within three at the 8:14 mark, and tied things up a couple minutes later. Just under the five minute mark,
Vinson Sigmon Jr. made a driving layup and Darius Dawon sank a pair of free throws. The Griffons regained the lead with just under a minute left, but
Cam Williams made three free throws to give the Lions a 61-59 lead. Down but not out, the Griffons drew up a play that led to a made three as time expired, giving them a 62-61 victory.
Avery Taggart and
Darius Dawson each finished with 13 points, Taggart with 7 rebounds, 3 assists, and 3 steals. Dawson went 4-6 from the field and 5-6 from the free throw line, adding 3 rebounds and 2 blocks to his stat line.
Cam Williams also hit double digits, scoring 10 points. He also had 5 rebounds, 3 steals, and 2 assists.
The team returns home for their next competition, playing host to the Central Oklahoma Bronchos. That game will take place on Thursday, December 7 with a 7:30 PM tipoff time.
The Missouri Southern men's basketball season is presented by Arvest Bank, a proud supporter of Lion Athletics.
