Joplin, Mo. - The Missouri Southern men's basketball team continues to play on their home court for their first series since December 9. On Saturday, the Lions will play host to the Lopers of Nebraska-Kearney. Tip-off for that contest is scheduled for 3:30 PM at the Leggett & Platt Athletic Center.
Game Information
Teams: Missouri Southern (5-9, 3-5 MIAA) vs Nebraska-Kearney (5-9, 2-7 MIAA)
Date: January 13
Tip-Off: 3:30 PM
Location: Joplin, Mo.
Site: Leggett & Platt Athletic Center
Series Record: MSSU trails 23-20 | Southern has won the past seven matchups.
Coaches
MSSU:
Sam McMahon | 2nd season at MSSU | 22-22 record
UNK: Antoine Young | 1st season at UNK | 5-9 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 5-9 (3-5 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. They started off hot against the Tigers of FHSU who are ranked second in the MIAA standings, but fell 85-67.
Sam Thompson led the Lions in three categories on Saturday, scoring 12 points (6-9 shooting), snagging 7 rebounds, and recording a career high 5 blocks.
On the year,
Darius Dawson is shooting 59.5% from the field, third in the conference. His 1.3 blocks per game ranks 5th in the MIAA, and he is averaging the 7th most rebounds per game.
Cam Williams had another solid game off the bench, scoring 11 points and 5 rebounds. On the year, he is averaging 11.1 points per game, and leads the Lions with 20 steals.
Scouting the Lopers
The Nebraska-Kearney Lopers enter Saturday's contest also with a 5-9 overall record (2-7 in conference play). They started the year with a two-point loss to Southern Nazarene at their place, but bounced back with a high scoring, 113-101 victory over Chadron State. Following that win, the team edged Western Colorado by one point. In conference play, the Lopers kicked things off with a loss at Rogers State, but took down Northeastern State 85-82. They got a second straight win in their next competition, handing Missouri Western a 93-90 loss. UNK has been winless in MIAA action since then, most recently falling 90-76 to Pittsburg State.
All five starters are averaging double digit points. They all hit double digits on Thursday against Pittsburg State. Leading the starters is Sean Evans, averaging 12.7 ppg. Just behind him is Damiri Lindo at 12.5 ppg, but is also averaging 4.5 rpg with 12 steals.
D'Aundre Samuels is at 11.7 ppg, and leads the team with 56 assists, 13 steals, and 7 blocks on the year.
The rebounding category is led by Sean Murphy, averaging 8.1 per game and totaling 114 on the year. He is also shooting 58.3% from the field.
The Missouri Southern men's basketball season is presented by Arvest Bank, a proud supporter of Lion Athletics.
