JOPLIN, Mo. — Missouri Southern men's basketball (7-3, 1-1 MIAA) edged Quincy 87-84 in a closely contested matchup Friday at Robert Ellis Young Gymnasium.
The Lions overcame a three-point halftime deficit with a strong 52-point second half, highlighted by a 16-point contribution from turnovers. The Hawks capitalized at the free-throw line with 21 made free throws, but it was not enough to secure the win.
MSSU is now 7-3 overall this season. QU holds a 4-5 mark in 2025-26.
Tyrone Wright Jr. led the Lions with a career-best 21 points and collected 10 rebounds, showcasing his efficiency by making 8 of 11 field goals. The double-double was his second of the campaign.
Jaden Taylor added 18 points, converting 9 of 13 attempts from the field to surpass 600 career points at MSSU (over 1,000 career total points).
Colin Ruffin scored 13 points and contributed significantly with five assists and two steals.
Brayden Williams posted 11 points, including three successful 3-pointers, while also recording four rebounds.
Southern began the first half with a series of strong plays, including an early jumper by Wright Jr. Ruffin contributed significantly by scoring and providing assists, including a pivotal 3-pointer at 8:59 to narrow the gap to 27-21.
The Lions showed resilience, matching the Hawks in points scored in the paint and MSSU tallying five lead changes and six ties. However, Southern faced challenges with turnovers, committing seven during the opening half.
As the half progressed, Southern kept the score close, highlighted by a 3-pointer from
Brayden Williams, narrowing the gap to 34-28. Taylor's jumper in the closing minute further reduced the deficit. Despite these efforts and a strong defensive presence with four steals, the Lions concluded the half trailing Quincy, 38–35.
MSSU opened the second half with a significant momentum shift, beginning with
Gavyn Elkamil's 3-pointer to tie the game at 38-38. This sparked a sequence of successful plays, including a layup by Ruffin and a fast-break layup by Taylor, establishing a 42-38 Lions lead.
The Hawks responded to even the score at 42, but Southern quickly regained its lead with Wright Jr.'s jumper and held it through a back-and-forth sequence.
As the final half progressed, Southern continued to find success in the paint and from beyond the arc. A late 3-pointer by Williams and consecutive free throws by Elkamil extended the lead to 87-82.
In the waning moments of the game, Williams' 3-pointer at 1:36 extended the lead (80-75), and Elkamil's late trey solidified an 85-77 advantage, ensuring MSSU finished the contest ahead. The second stanza ended with Southern outscoring Quincy 52–46, concluding the game with a final score of 87–84 in favor of the Lions.
MSSU next heads to Southwest Baptist on Friday, Dec. 19. Tip is set for 3 p.m. from Meyer Sports Center in Bolivar, Missouri. The Lions wrap 2025 with an MIAA meeting with Northeastern State Sunday, Dec. 21 in Tahlequah, Oklahoma.
