Joplin, Mo. - The Missouri Southern men's basketball team continued their home series on Saturday with a conference matchup against the Nebraska-Kearney Lopers. Strong offense from the Lions helped them to an 88-78 victory over the Lopers, improving to 6-9 (4-5 MIAA) on the year. Missouri Southern put up even halves, scoring 44 in both the first and second periods. As a team, the Lions shot 59.6% from the field and 91.7% from the free throw line.

Vinson Sigmon Jr. kicked things off with a jumper on the Lions' first possession. Sam Thompson followed with a pair of jumpers, sandwiched between a block on the other end of the court. Following Thompson's scores, Parker Long, Darius Dawson, and Cam Williams went back-to-back-to-back on three pointers. 

Just under the halfway point of the first half, Sigmon Jr. made a layup to cut the deficit to 24-21. A few minutes later, Avery Taggart drained a three to even things at 26-26. Nebraska-Kearney made a basket, but momentum shifted when Parker Long found Darius Dawson who threw down a dunk. Martin Macenis then helped give the lead back to Missouri Southern, and Sigmon Jr. built on that with a jumper. Lawson Jenkins hit a deep three with 30 seconds left on the clock, but UNK responded with a three of their own to make it a 44-40 MSSU lead at the break.

The visitors came out and took the lead early in the second, but Vinson Sigmon Jr. hit back to back jumpers to take over once again. Darius Dawson followed with a basket, and Avery Taggart converted the rare four-point play after being fouled on a made three. MSSU took their first double digit lead of the game at the 12:58 mark, thanks to an and-one layup by Martin Macenis on a pass from Sigmon Jr. 

Hanging in there, the Lopers made a three to cut the deficit back to 10 with 9:28 on the clock. A couple of minutes later, Darius Dawson had an and-one play of his own, building the lead to 13. UNK responded with a jumper and a three, but Vinson Sigmon Jr. did the same. At the 3:31 mark, Martin Macenis nailed a three to give the Lions their largest lead of the game at 15. They rode things out from their, ending with an 88-78 final. 

Martin Macenis had another career night, breaking 20+ for the first time with a 21-point effort. He shot 7-10 from the field and 6-7 from the free throw line, grabbing 6 rebounds, dishing 3 assists, and making 2 steals in the process. Vinson Sigmon Jr. also contributed 18 points on 8-12 shooting, with 3 assists and 2 steals. Darius Dawson was near a double-double, finishing with 14 points and 8 rebounds.

The team hits the road next week with a bit of an odd schedule, playing on Wednesday and Sunday. First, they'll face Washburn at 7:30 PM on January 17, followed by a contest at Emporia State at 3:30 PM on January 21. 

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