Wichita, Kan. - The Missouri Southern men's basketball team begins a road trip on Thursday, taking on the Newman Jets on their home court. This is the second meeting between the teams this season, as Missouri Southern defeated Newman 99-77 in Joplin on December 9.
Game Information
Teams: Missouri Southern (8-11, 6-7 MIAA) vs Newman (6-12, 3-10 MIAA)
Date: February 1
Tip-Off: 7:30 PM
Location: Wichita, Kan.
Site: Fugate Gymnasium
Series Record: MSSU leads 9-2 | Southern has won seven straight, and 9 of the last 10 meetings
Coaches
MSSU:
Sam McMahon | 2nd season at MSSU | 25-24 record
NU: R.J. Allen | 8th season at NU | 78-110 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 an 8-11 (6-7 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. Against a Washburn team that hasn't lost at home this year, the Lions shot nearly 50% from beyond the arc but fell 70-65. They picked up a big road win against once-ranked Emporia State on the road, but fell to Northeastern State in Joplin. Following that loss, the Lions defeated Rogers State by 22 points, ending their five game win streak.
Darius Dawson recorded his third 20+ point game of the year against RSU. That boosts his average to 13.3 this year, and still leads the Lions with 6.3 rpg.
Martin Macenis was one rebound shy of a double-double on Saturday, recording 17 points and 4 assists as well. He is averaging 10.1 ppg on 65.2% shooting.
Vinson Sigmon Jr. is up to 11.9 points per game, 36 assists, and 16 steals. He has also made 27 three's and is shooting 84.6% from the free throw line.
Avery Taggart has been doing a mix of it all this year, leading the Lions with 33 three's made and 49 assists. He is averaging 10.0 points per game and 3.4 rebounds per contest.
Scouting the Jets
The Newman Jets enter Saturday's competition with a 6-12 (3-10 MIAA) record in 2023-24. They began the year with a thriller, taking down Concordia St. Paul on a last second and-one layup. Other non-conference wins include Kansas Christian and Manhattan Christian. The Jets have fallen to Minot State 73-59 and William Jewell 90-77 in non-conference action. In conference play, Newman kicked things off with a loss to Lincoln, but bounced back with a 59-58 victory over Central Missouri. The Jets trailed 58-56 with four second left, but Kaeson Fisher-Brown hit a three as time expired. Following that, NU lost a pair to PSU and MSSU, but had a solid home series with victories over UNK and now-ranked FHSU. Since that series, the Jets have lost seven straight.
Stevie Strong has been the leader of the team, scoring 15.9 points per game with 70 assists, and 19 steals. From beyond the arc, Strong is shooting 41.2%, having made 40 shots from deep.
Sam Somerhalder leads the team in rebounding, grabbing 86 boards this year for an average of 5.1 per game. He is also scoring 10.0 points per game with 44 assists and 17 steals. From the field, he is shooting 59.2%.
The Missouri Southern men's basketball season is presented by Arvest Bank, a proud supporter of Lion Athletics.
