Joplin, Mo. - The Missouri Southern men's basketball team returns to Joplin to play on their home court for the first time since December 9. On Thursday, the Lions will play host to the Tigers of Fort Hays State, currently ranked second in the MIAA standings and receiving votes in both national polls. Tip-off for that contest is scheduled for 7:30 PM at the Leggett & Platt Athletic Center.   

Game Information
Teams: Missouri Southern (5-8, 3-4 MIAA) vs Fort Hays State (11-3, 6-2 MIAA)
Date: January 11
Tip-Off: 7:30 PM
Location: Joplin, Mo.
Site: Leggett & Platt Athletic Center
Series Record: MSSU trails 37-23 | Southern defeated Fort Hays State last year on January 5 in Hays, 68-56. 

Coaches
MSSU: Sam McMahon | 2nd season at MSSU | 22-21 record
FHSU: Mark Johnson | 23rd season at FHSU | 439-215 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 5-8 (3-4 MIAA) record in the 2023-24 season. They began the year with a split in their opening tournament, falling to now-ranked #1 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. To wrap up 2023, Missouri Southern fell to Lincoln at their house 76-65. Kicking off 2024, the Lions went to Pittsburg and ended the Gorillas' five-game win streak with an 81-74 victory. 

Darius Dawson dropped another 20+ point game against PSU, scoring 21 in the first half. On the year, he is shooting 61.3% from the field, fourth in the conference. His 6.8 rebounds and 1.2 blocks per game ranks 7th in the MIAA.  

In his first game back since December 9, Cam Williams dropped 23 points against the Gorillas. On the year, he is averaging 11.1 points per game, and leads the Lions with 19 steals. 

Avery Taggart still leads the team in three point field goals made (18) and assists (33). He is averaging 9.4 points per contest.

Scouting the Tigers
The Tigers are one of the hottest teams in the conference, ranked second in the MIAA with a record of 11-3 (6-2 MIAA). They nearly began the year with a six-game win streak, but suffered a 75-71 overtime loss to MSU Denver in their third contest. In conference play, FHSU first took down Northeastern State by 22 points, later falling to Rogers State 76-63. The Tigers bounced back with a strong next week, upsetting #17 Northwest Missouri and #22 Missouri Western, forcing the Griffons to 19 turnovers and holding them to 16 first half points. After losing 77-75 in overtime to Newman, the Tigers are riding a three-game win streak that features a 67-60 upset over #5 Central Oklahoma. Most recently, FHSU took down Central Missouri 61-51 and Lincoln 69-64. 

The same five have started all 14 contest for Fort Hays State, highlighted by junior guard Kaleb Hammeke. He is averaging 14.8 points per game and 4.9 rebounds per game. In the MIAA rankings, his 88.9% free throw percentage ranks fourth. He also leads the Tigers with 53 assists.

Elijah Nnanabu is the other Tiger averaging double digits, recording 10.0 points per contest. He has 64 rebounds, 28 assists, and 16 steals this season.

Shaun Riley is averaging 5.2 rebounds per game and has 7 blocks so far. 

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