Joplin, Mo. - The Missouri Southern men's basketball team hosted the #5 nationally ranked Northwest Missouri Bearcats for the regular season finale on Saturday afternoon. The visitors of NWMSU took the contest by a score of 73-56, to move MSSU to 13-15 (11-11 MIAA) on the year. The Lions secured the 8 seed in the tournament, scheduled to face the 9 seed in Missouri Western.

The Bearcats jumped out to a 4-0 lead to get things going, then Vinson Sigmon Jr. got the Lions on the board with a jumper. NWMSU scored a couple more times, but Winston Dessesow and Martin Macenis followed with jumpers to make it 9-6 Bearcats. After another three by the visitors, Sigmon Jr. and Macenis made it a 14-12 score with 11:57 on the clock. 

A few minutes later, Vinson Sigmon Jr. scored again to remain within three. The visitors then used the next stretch of gameplay to take a double digit lead. Just under the three minute mark, Avery Taggart nailed a three and Darius Dawson scored a basket to make it a seven point game. The Bearcats were able to hit a jumper right before time expired, taking a 38-26 lead into the break. 

Northwest Missouri got off to a hot start in the second half, taking a 49-26 lead with 14:08 remaining in the game. Parker Long and Darius Dawson then scored back-to-back layups to cut into that deficit. Just under the eight minute mark, Dawson, Sigmon Jr., and Macenis hit back-to-back-to-back three point field goals, and Winston Dessesow hit a jumper to bring the score to 61-49. Northwest Missouri hung on the rest of the way, making the final 73-56. 

Senior Vinson Sigmon Jr. led the team with 13 points on 5-10 shooting from the field, grabbing 3 rebounds as well. Avery Taggart also had 13 points, going 5-8 from the field and 3-4 from beyond the arc. Darius Dawson recorded 10 points and had a team-high 5 rebounds.

The 8 seeded Lions will face the 9 seeded Griffons at 6:00pm on Wednesday, March 6. All games will be played at the Municipal Auditorium in Kansas City, Missouri. 

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