WICHITA, Kan. – Missouri Southern men's basketball opened the 2026-27 season in impressive fashion Friday afternoon, using a strong first-half performance and a balanced offensive effort to earn a 68-54 victory over Arkansas Tech in the MIAA/GAC Crossover Challenge at Fugate Gymnasium.
Missouri Southern is now 1-0 overall. ATU is 0-1 overall.
The Lions (1-0) established control early, building a 38-23 halftime advantage behind efficient shooting and a productive offensive attack. Missouri Southern shot 46.7 percent from the field in the opening half, including 5-of-13 from beyond the arc, to take a 15-point lead into the break.
Arkansas Tech (0-1) responded in the second half, shooting 50 percent from the floor, but the Lions maintained their advantage to secure the season-opening victory.
Colin Ruffin led the way for Missouri Southern with 18 points, connecting on 6-of-7 attempts from the field and 5-of-8 from the free-throw line. He also added six rebounds, two assists and a steal.
Gavyn Elkamil and
Isaiah Atwater contributed 11 points apiece. Elkamil added six rebounds and two steals, while Atwater finished with four assists and three steals.
Tyrique Brooks chipped in nine points and seven rebounds in his return to MSSU after spending the 2025-26 season at Missouri State.
Jackson Shorter added eight points off the bench.
The Lions created the first half's separation late, holding ATU to one field goal after the 4:26 mark and finishing the half with a 38-23 scoring edge. Earlier, the teams traded four ties and two lead changes, with Ruffin's free throws tying it at 5-5, Atwater's 3-pointer putting MSSU in front 8-7 and the Wonder Boys later evening it at 12-12.
Southern moved back ahead on
Hunter Fitch's fastbreak layup off an assist from Brooks at 10:28, then added a Brooks dunk, a
Brayden Williams 3-pointer and a Ruffin 3-pointer to build a 22-17 advantage with 6:48 left.
The MSSU defense produced eight steals and forced 10 ATU turnovers, while Missouri Southern shot 14 of 30 from the field, made five 3-pointers and closed with late scoring from Shorter and Elkamil.
In the second half, MSSU answered the Wonder Boys' late push by holding ATU scoreless from 5:26 until 2:21 while moving from a 59-52 lead to 66-52.
Earlier, Southern found production in the paint and on second chances despite going cold from 3-point range, finishing the half with 20 paint points and seven offensive rebounds. Ruffin supplied a middle-half lift with a pair of offensive-rebound baskets, a steal and fastbreak layup and two free throws as ATU used four 3-pointers to stay within range.
After the Wonder Boys narrowed the score to 59-52, Brooks scored off a Shorter assist, Atwater added two free throws and a layup, Ruffin made a free throw, and Fitch's offensive rebound and putback at the horn closed out Missouri Southern's 68-54 win.
Missouri Southern's defensive pressure proved to be a major difference, as the Lions forced 21 Arkansas Tech turnovers while committing just nine of their own. The Lions converted those opportunities into 16 points off turnovers and recorded 11 steals.
The Lions also held a 36-28 advantage in points in the paint and received 21 points from their bench.
Missouri Southern finished the afternoon shooting 41.3 percent overall, including 5-of-29 from beyond the arc, and converted 11-of-16 free throws.
The Lions conclude play in the MIAA/GAC Crossover Challenge Saturday, facing Southwestern Oklahoma in Wichita, Kansas. Tip is set for 2 p.m., CT.
