Topeka, Kan. - The Missouri Southern men's basketball team hits the road for another stretch in opponent facilities. On Wednesday, the Lions will travel to Topeka, Kansas to face the Washburn Ichabods who have not lost a game at home this season. That contest is scheduled for 7:30 PM.    

Game Information
Teams: Missouri Southern (6-9, 4-5 MIAA) vs (RV) Washburn (10-5, 6-3 MIAA)
Date: January 17
Tip-Off: 7:30 PM
Location: Topeka, Kan.
Site: Lee Arena
Series Record: MSSU trails 52-36 | Southern has won six of the past ten matchups, splitting last season's series. 

Coaches
MSSU: Sam McMahon | 2nd season at MSSU | 23-22 record
WU: Brett Ballard | 7th season at WU | 128-69 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 6-9 (4-5 MIAA) record in the 2023-24 season. They began the year with a split in their opening tournament, falling to MSU Moorhead who has spent time at the top of the national rankings, 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. Southern bounced back and had a solid offensive outing against Nebraska-Kearney, taking down the Lopers 88-78. 

Over that series, Sam Thompson recorded 7 total blocks, 5 against FHSU and 2 against UNK. He has 18 this season and 53 over the past two seasons. At 1.2 per game, he is averaging the 6th most in the MIAA.

Martin Macenis had an impressive performance against UNK, recording his first career 20+ point performance. He shot 70% from the field and grabbed 6 rebounds in the win.

On the year, Darius Dawson is shooting 59.2% from the field, 5th in the conference. His 1.2 blocks per game ranks 6th in the MIAA, and he is averaging the 7th most rebounds per game.  

Scouting the Ichabods
Washburn enters Wednesday's competition with a 10-5 (6-3 MIAA) record on the year, sitting at fourth in the MIAA and receiving votes in this week's coaches poll. To begin the year, the Ichabods had a pair of contests decided by two points, defeating Sioux Falls but falling to Minnesota State-Moorhead. After dropping a contest to William Jewell, the Ichabods went on a three-game win streak to round out non-conference play. Two of their three conference losses were decided by three points or less, falling to Emporia State and Northwest Missouri on the road. Last week, Washburn dropped an 82-71 contest to Central Missouri. The Ichabods have yet to lose at home, with a perfect 7-0 record at Lee Arena this year. In the MIAA, Washburn has the highest scoring offense at 80.5 points per game, shooting the highest three point field goal percentage at 41.3%. They also lead the league in rebounding, snagging 39.3 per contest. 

Sam Ungashick leads the team with 224 points scored this year, averaging 14.9 per game. He has been hot from beyond the arc, making 32 shots for 47.1%. Additionally, Ungashick leads the team with 23 steals and has the second most assists (46). 

Andrew Orr (13.7) and Jack Bachelor (12.1) are the other Ichabods averaging 10+ ppg. Bachelor was last week's MIAA Athlete of the Week. Orr is shooting 56.7% from the field, 91.8% (45-49) from the free throw line, and has 7 blocks this year.

Brady Christiansen has done a majority of the rebounding, 107 this year (7.1 per game).

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