Joplin, Mo. - The Missouri Southern men's basketball team returns home for a series against Lincoln and Central Missouri. The second meeting between MSSU and LU this season is scheduled to begin at 7:30pm.       

Game Information
Teams: Missouri Southern (9-12, 7-8 MIAA) vs Lincoln (13-7, 8-6 MIAA)
Date: February 8
Tip-Off: 7:30 PM
Location: Joplin, Mo.
Site: Leggett & Platt Athletic Center
Series Record: MSSU leads 34-15

Coaches
MSSU: Sam McMahon | 2nd season at MSSU | 26-25 record
LU: Jimmy Drew | 2nd season at LU | 30-17 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 9-12 (7-8 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 and Newman by 23 points. Missouri Southern battled with Central Oklahoma at their place, but fell 65-61.

Avery Taggart led the team in scoring for both contests last week, dropping 17 and 15 points. He has made 41 from beyond the arc this year. Additionally, Taggart leads the team with 53 assists. 

Vinson Sigmon Jr. led the team in reb, asst, and stl against UCO. He is averaging 11.6 points per game, and is shooting 84.4% from the free throw line.

Martin Macenis continues to be impactful this year, now averaging 10.5 ppg and 4.6 rpg. He is shooting an MIAA-leading 65.4% from the field.

Darius Dawson is still leading the team in scoring and rebounding with 13.5 ppg and 6.5 rpg, shooting 55.6%. He also has 23 blocks this year.

Scouting the Blue Tigers
The Lincoln Blue Tigers enter Thursday's contest with a 13-7 (8-6 MIAA) record. They started the year with a five game winning streak, then won three more in a row after a loss ended the first streak. Kicking off conference play, Lincoln defeated Newman 83-71, but fell to #3 Central Oklahoma 79-55. After defeating MSSU in Jefferson City earlier this season, the Blue Tigers suffered a loss to NAIA level William Woods. Following that loss, they fell to Pittsburg State by 17, but rebounded with a 90-67 win over UNK. At the end of January, LU upset #22 Missouri Western 76-66, but fell to #21 Northwest Missouri 61-49. Most recently, the Blue Tigers defeated Central Missouri 52-51 in overtime. The final basket of that contest came with 1:52 left on the clock. 

DJ Richardson continues to lead the team with 15.7 points per game and 64 assists on the year. 

Elijah Farr is leading the team in rebounding, averaging 7.1 per contest. His 21 blocks are also a team high, and he has 53 assists recorded as well.

Franck Yetna is averaging 11.8 points per game on 55.1% shooting from the field. He leads the team with 33 steals. 

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