Joplin, Mo. - The Missouri Southern men's basketball program picked up a resounding 86-59 victory over Nebraska - Kearney, Thursday inside the Leggett & Platt Athletic Center behind a career game for
Winston Dessesow.
The Lions (16-9, 12-7 MIAA) were led by Dessesow with 27 points going 7-of-9 from three as he made his first six attempts from deep to set career highs for scoring, three's made and three's made before first miss.
Martin Macenis had a season-high 11 points going 3-for-5 from three to lead the bench while
Parker Long had 10 points, five rebounds and four assists.
Avery Taggart had 10 points shooting 3-for-5 from the field and
Christian Bundy had a game-high 11 rebounds to go with seven points shooting 2-for-3 from three.
Nebraska -Kearney (5-20, 3-16 MIAA) was led by Darrian Nebeker with 16 points, seven rebounds and five assists.
In the first half the Lions jumped out to a 15-3 lead following a
Vinson Sigmon Jr. three with
Sam Thompson picking up the kick out assist with 14:28 left on the clock. Southern would enjoy another double digit run this time a 12-4 that made it 35-22 with 6:15 left follwoing a Long driving layup. At the half it was a commanding 49-32 lead for the Lions who shot 58.6 percent from the field, 9-for-13 from three for 69.2 percent and was 85.7 percent from free throws.
The second half saw the Lopers chip away early getting it to within 14 points (56-42) with 13:50 but that was as close as it would get for the remainder of the game. Southern responded to the Lopers encroachment with a 13-4 run capped off by a Dessesow three for his 24th point of the night with 9:47 left in the game making it 69-46. The Lions would coast to the 86-59 final score and finish the game shooting 51.7 percent from the field, 17-for-28 from three for 60.7 percent and 90.0 percent from free throws while limiting the Lopers to shooting 39.0 percent from the field, 26.1 percent from three and 50.0 percent from free throws.
Up next for the Lions will be Fort Hays State on Saturday with tip-off from the Leggett & Platt Athletic Center set for 3:30pm on Senior Day. Southern will honor it's two seniors,
Christian Bundy and
Ndongo Ndaw before the start of the game.
