Joplin, Mo. - The Missouri Southern men's basketball team will hit the road for their final road trip of the regular season. On Thursday, the Lions will face the Lopers of Nebraska-Kearney. Game time is scheduled for 7:30pm in Kearney.
Game Information
Teams: Missouri Southern (12-12, 10-8 MIAA) vs Nebraska-Kearney (5-19, 2-17 MIAA)
Date: February 22
Tip-Off: 7:30 PM
Location: Kearney, Neb.
Site: Health & Sports Center
Series Record: MSSU trails 21-23 | Southern has won 9 of the previous 10 meetings
Coaches
MSSU:
Sam McMahon | 2nd season at MSSU | 29-25 record
UNK: Antoine Young | 1st season at UNK (interim) | 5-19 record
Media Coverage
MSSU Radio: Mike McClure - Play by play - 101.3 FM SOMO Sports Radio
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 12-12 (10-8 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. Following that week, the Lions took down Pittsburg State for the second time this year, 75-72.
Darius Dawson had another impressive performance following his MIAA Athlete of the Week honor. He continues to lead the team with 14.4 points per game, 6.4 rebounds per game, and 29 blocks.
Avery Taggart is now 9 points from 1000 in his career, averaging 10.5 this season. He has made a team-high 45 three-point field goals and 62 assists.
Vinson Sigmon Jr. is up to 12.0 points per game, shooting 84.6% from the FT line, and leads the team with 24 steals.
Martin Macenis has climbed to 11.0 ppg and 4.4 rpg. From the field, he is shooting an MIAA-leading 61.5% and has recorded 41 assists and 13 blocks.
Scouting the Lopers
The Nebraska-Kearney Lopers enter Thursday's competition with a 5-19 (2-17 MIAA) record on the season. UNK has lost 14 straight, dating prior to their first meeting with MSSU. Of their five wins, two came early against Chadron State in a high-scoring affair 113-101 and another to Western Colorado in an exciting 76-75 finish. In conference play, the Lopers defeated Northeastern State 85-82 in Tahlequah, then they handed Missouri Western a 93-90 loss. Their most recent win came on December 19 against Bethany College. In their 14 game losing streak, UNK had a couple close contests with Central Missouri (76-73), Fort Hays State (57-49), and Newman (90-85).
As a team, the Lopers are surrendering the most points per game in the MIAA at 84.1, they have the worst scoring margin at -12.9, and are allowing opponents to shoot 49.6% from the field which is an MIAA high.
D'Aundre Samuels leads the team with 13.0 points per game on 50.4% shooting from the field. He also leads the team in assists with 92, steals with 25, and blocks with 10.
Sean Murphy is the team's leading rebounder, snagging 7.3 per contest. He is also averaging 10.4 points per game.
The Missouri Southern men's basketball season is presented by Arvest Bank, a proud supporter of Lion Athletics.
