Joplin, Mo. - The Missouri Southern men's basketball team will host Nebraska - Kearney and Fort Hays State in the penultimate weekend of the regular season. Souther is looking to move up from sixth in the MIAA standings after clinching a berth into the MIAA Tournament against the bottom of the conference Lopers and fifth seeded Tigers.
Game Information
Teams: Missouri Southern (15-9, 11-7 MIAA) vs. Nebraska - Kearney (5-19, 3-15 MIAA) & Fort Hays State (17-8, 12-7 MIAA)
Date: Feb. 16th & 18th
Tip-Off: 7:30 pm & 3:30 pm
Location: Joplin, Mo.
Sites: Leggett & Platt Athleitc Center
Series Record: Lopers lead 23-19 against the Lions, Southern leads 11-8 in Joplin. Tigers lead 36-23 against the Lions, Southern leads 15-9 in Joplin.
Coaches
MSSU: Sam McMahon (1st Season at MSSU / Overall, 15-7)
UNK: Kevin Lofton (18th Season at UNK / Overall, 263-242)
FHSU: Mark Johnson (22nd Season at FHSU / Overall, 424-211
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
Ndaw Right Now
Ndongo Ndaw has emerged into a reliable option in the post and a rim protector for the Lions since becoming the starting center, averaging 7.3 points, 6.6 rebounds and 1.4 blocks a game while shooting 50.0 percent from the field in 21.6 minutes a game and in the 16 games he has started for the Lions are 11-5.
Thompson Is A Welcome Addition
Through 24 games with the Lions, Sam is averaging 8.3 points and 4.0 rebounds a game in 18.0 minutes. The sophomore forward from St. Charles, Mo. has scored in double figures in 11 games this season including in the first two games which included a 16 point performance against Winona State.
Dessesow For Three
Winston Dessesow has made a habit of knocking down three pointers in his career as a Lion going 185-of-500 (37.0) to rank sixth for makes, eighth for attempts and this season is 62-of-164 (37.8) which ranks 20th for makes and 21st for attempts among single-season ranks at Missouri Southern.
Taggart Nearing 100 Assists
Averty Taggart has 84 assists this season and if he gets 16 more he will be the first Lion since Reggie Tharp in 2019-20 to accomplish the feat and the 24th Lion in program history to cross the threshold. Notable members of the 100-assist club include former men's basketball assistant coach and current women's basketball head coach Ronnie Ressel who did so in the 1989-90 & 1990-91 seasons.
Bundy Turning Up In 2023
Christian Bundy since the calender year flipped over to 2023 has been a difference maker averaging 11.9 points, 7.5 rebounds (2.8 offensive) and 1.9 assists per game while shooting 55.2 percent from the field and 37.9 percent from three in 13 games.
