Joplin, Mo. - The Missouri Southern men's basketball team is ready to get back at it after a week between games. This week, the Lions play in just one contest as they host the Pittsburg State Gorillas. Tip-off for that game is scheduled for 3:30pm.
Game Information
Teams: Missouri Southern (11-12, 9-8 MIAA) vs Pittsburg State (15-8, 11-6 MIAA)
Date: February 17
Tip-Off: 3:30 PM
Location: Joplin, Mo.
Site: Leggett & Platt Athletic Center
Series Record: MSSU leads 63-50 | Southern won 81-74 at Pittsburg earlier this year
Coaches
MSSU:
Sam McMahon | 2nd season at MSSU | 28-25 record
PSU: Jeff Boschee | 2nd season at PSU | 23-28 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 record of 11-12 (9-8 MIAA) 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 and Newman by 23 points. Missouri Southern battled with Central Oklahoma at their place, but fell 65-61. The team had a solid week against LU and UCM, recording a perfect week for the first time this season.
Darius Dawson was named the MIAA Athlete of the Week after his 24.5 ppg, 7.0 rpg, 3.0 bpg performance. He is leading the team with 14.3 ppg, 6.4 rpg, and 29 blocks.
Vinson Sigmon Jr. is up to 12.0 points per game, shooting 82.6% from the FT line, and leads the team with 22 steals.
Martin Macenis has climbed to 10.9 ppg and 4.4 rpg. From the field, he is shooting an MIAA-leading 63.3% and has recorded 38 assists and 13 blocks.
Avery Taggart has made a team-high 43 from beyond the arc this year. He is also averaging 10.4 points per game and leads the team with 61 assists.
Scouting the Gorillas
The Gorillas of Pittsburg State enter Saturday's contest with a 15-8 (11-6 MIAA) record on the year. They split their season opening tournament and picked up another win the following game, then went on a three game skid against William Jewell, Missouri Western, and Northwest Missouri. After falling to NWMSU, PSU won five straight that included an upset of #3 and undefeated Central Oklahoma. That streak was ended by Missouri Southern 81-74 in Pittsburg. They bounced back with a pair of wins over UNK and FHSU, then lost three straight to Emporia State, Washburn, and Rogers State. Since then, the Gorillas have been in the win column, picking up victories over NSU, UCM, UCO, Newman, UCM, and Lincoln. Of those six wins, only one contest has been decided by less than five points.
Deshaun English II is third on the team when it comes to scoring, but he is averaging a double-double with 14.2 points and 10.1 rebounds per game. His rebounding leads the MIAA, he is second in blocks, and he has been the MIAA Athlete of the Week twice this season.
Jeramy Shaw and Max Alexander have also been named MIAA AOTW. Shaw is averaging a team-high 16.3 ppg on 59.3% shooting from the field and 48.0% (24-50) from beyond the arc. Alexander leads the team with 31 steals and is averaging 15.2 ppg, shooting 83.5% (101-121) from the FT line.
The Missouri Southern men's basketball season is presented by Arvest Bank, a proud supporter of Lion Athletics.
