Joplin, Mo. - The Missouri Southern men's basketball team continues their home series Saturday, hosting the Mules of Central Missouri. This is the second meeting between the teams this season, MSSU taking the first matchup 75-56 in Warrensburg.        

Game Information
Teams: Missouri Southern (10-12, 8-8 MIAA) vs Central Missouri (10-11, 5-10 MIAA)
Date: February 10
Tip-Off: 3:30 PM
Location: Joplin, Mo.
Site: Leggett & Platt Athletic Center
Series Record: MSSU trails 42-33

Coaches
MSSU: Sam McMahon | 2nd season at MSSU | 27-25 record
UCM: Adam Bohac | 1st season at UCM | 10-11 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 10-12 (8-8 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. The team used a collective effort to take down Lincoln 83-77 in their second meeting, shooting nearly 50% from the field and going 25-31 from the free throw line. 

Darius Dawson recorded his 4th 20-point game of the season, scoring 27 against LU. He is leading the team with 13.9 ppg, 6.4 rpg, and 25 blocks. 

Vinson Sigmon Jr. also came up big for MSSU with 18 points on Thursday. He is averaging 11.9 points per game, and is shooting 82.6% from the FT line.

Avery Taggart finished Thursday's game with 12pts, 6 reb, and 6 asst. He has made a team-high 42 from beyond the arc this year. Additionally, Taggart leads the team with 59 assists. 

Martin Macenis had another double-digit game and is averaging 10.5 ppg and 4.6 rpg. He is shooting an MIAA-leading 64.8% from the field.

Scouting the Mules
The Central Missouri Mules enter Saturday's contest with a 10-11 (5-10 MIAA) record on the year. They began the year with a four game win streak, defeating Ouachita Baptist, Harding, Missouri S&T, and Park. Their first loss of the year was a conference game, coming against then-ranked #3 Central Oklahoma. In their next game, the Mules fell to the Newman Jets on a last second shot, 59-58. They dropped another road contest to Lincoln, then a home game to Missouri Southern 75-56 to make it four in a row. Ending that streak, the Mules dominated Missouri-St. Louis 71-46, but fell to Truman State at that tournament. Lincoln suffered another loss before going on another four game streak, this time on the winning side. Those wins came against UNK, Washburn, ESU, and NSU. In the month of February, the Mules are 0-2, dropping an overtime game to Lincoln, and a 69-60 final score against Pittsburg State.

Jalen Knott has started all 21 games for UCM, leading the team with 11.2 points per game. He also has 27 steals and 36 made three's this year.

Jordan Hayes is averaging just 5.6 ppg, but leads the team with 6.1 rpg, 49 assists, and 31 steals. 

On the defensive side, Keith Kiner III leads the team with 18 blocks.

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