Pittsburg, Kan. - The Missouri Southern men's basketball team will kick off their 2024 portion of their season with a road competition against the Pittsburg State Gorillas. MSSU looks to end PSU's hot streak, as they have won their previous five competitions. Tip-off for Saturday's contest is scheduled for 3:30 PM.   

Game Information
Teams: Missouri Southern (4-8, 2-4 MIAA) vs Pittsburg State (7-4, 3-2 MIAA)
Date: January 6
Tip-Off: 3:30 PM
Location: Pittsburg, Kan.
Site: John Lance Arena
Series Record: MSSU leads 62-50 | Southern has won 6 of the previous 10 meetings, including both meetings last season. 

Coaches
MSSU: Sam McMahon | 2nd season at MSSU | 21-21 record
PSU: Jeff Boschee | 2nd season at PSU | 15-24 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 4-8 (2-4 MIAA) record in the 2023-24 season. They began the year with a split in their opening tournament, falling to now-ranked #2 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. 

At 48.1%, the Lions currently rank fourth in the MIAA in team field goal pct., behind Rogers State, Northwest Missouri, and Washburn.

Darius Dawson currently leads the Lions in points (152), rebounds (83), and blocks (14). He is shooting 65.2% from the field, the second best in the conference. 

Vinson Sigmon Jr. is also averaging double digit points per game at 10.9, dishing out 20 assists.

Martin Macenis has been efficient off the bench, averaging 9.9 ppg, 5.6 rpg, and 2.9 apg. 

Avery Taggart leads the team with 18 made three's and 31 assists. He is averaging 9.9 ppg.

Scouting the Gorillas
The Pittsburg State Gorillas enter Saturday's competition on a hot streak, having won their previous five contests. With a 7-4 (3-2 MIAA) record, the Gorillas began the year 1-1 in their opening tournament, falling to St. Cloud State but pulling off a narrow one-point victory over Sioux Falls. They began conference play 0-2 with 10-point losses to Missouri Western and #15 Northwest Missouri, but followed up with a big week against Newman and an upset over #3 Central Oklahoma. Since then, PSU has taken down Truman State, Henderson State, and Lincoln, all away from home. The team plays tight defense on the perimeter, forcing teams to the second worst 3FG% in the MIAA. Additionally, PSU has players in the top-three in the MIAA in points, rebounds, and assists. 

The MIAA's leading scorer is Max Alexander, the only conference player above 20 points per game. He is shooting .443/.313/.848 from the field/three/free. Additionally, Alexander leads the team with 22 steals. 

Deshaun English II is one of the top rebounders in the league, claiming the second most per game (9.2). He is also averaging 11.6 points per game.

Jordan Frison currently has the third most assists per game in the MIAA, dishing 5.2 per contest. Also, Frison is recording 14.8 points per game. 

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