MSSU men look to get back on winning track against Central Missouri

(From MSSU Lions Athletic News)

The Missouri Southern men's basketball team will play host to Central Missouri in the second game in a row against the Mules as the Lions look to avenge a loss last week. Tip off from the Leggett & Platt Athletic Center is slated for 3 pm Saturday. 

Game Information

Teams: (RV) Missouri Southern (15-4/9-3 MIAA) | Central Missouri (18-4, 10-3 MIAA)
Date: Saturday, Feb. 8, 2014
Tip-Off: 3:00 pm
Location: Joplin, Mo.
Site:Leggett & Platt Athletic Center (3,240)
Series Record: Mules lead 32-22
Coaches: Robert Corn (403-303 overall/at MSSU). Kim Anderson (262-94, overall and at UCM)

Media Coverage

MSSU Radio: 97.9 FM Big Dog - Mike McClure - Play by Play
Internet Audio: www.mssulions.com
Webcast: www.mssulions.com
Live Stats: livestats.prestosports.com/mssu
Lions on Facebook:  Facebook.com/missourisouthernlions
Lions on Twitter: @mososports; @mssumensbball

The Series: Central leads the series 32-22 and and the teams have split the past seven games. The Lions are 14-10 vs. UCM at home and 8-18 on the road. Central has won all four of the neutral site battles between the two clubs. The Lions are 0-5 all-time against the Mules in MIAA Tournament games.

MIAA Team Ranks: The Lions lead the MIAA in scoring margin, field goal percentage, blocks, and offensive rebounding percentage, while ranking second in rebound margin, three point defense and steals. Southern ranks third in scoring, field goal defense, defensive and offensive rebounds, while ranking fourth in assistsand rebounding defense. The Lions rank fifth in free-throw shooting and turnover margin.

MIAA Individual Ranks: Marquis Addison ranks 10th in scoring in the MIAA, while ranking eighth in steals, third in free-throw shooting and 12th in field goal percentage. Slim Magee leads the leage in field goal shooting, while ranking 12th in rebounding and fourth in blocks. Jordan Talbert ranks fifth in rebounds, and third in blocks, while Austin WRight ranks sixth in three point shooting. Lane Barlow ranks ninth in assists and 12th in assist to turnover ratio. 

National Ranks: The Lions, as a team, rank 11th in free-throws made and 12th in scoring margin. Southern ranks 17th in blocks per game, 9th in free-throws attempted and 20th in total blocks. The Lions are 31st in win-loss percentage, 32nd in scoring offense and 39th in assists per game. 

The Lions are perfect when: Missouri Southern is perfect this season when the Lions have scored 90+ points (8-0), allowed 69 points or less (7-0), out shoot opponents (13-0), make more three's (4-0), and when the game is decided by 20 or more points (8-0).      

Passing 1,000: Marquis Addison became the newest member of the 1,000 point club at MSSU with 20 points against Central Missouri last season. He currently has 1,421 points, moving in front of Matt Olson for 8th place all-time in scoring at Southern. He needs 100 points to pass Chris Tucker for 7th all-time and is the fourth Lion in the past three seasons to pass 1,000, joining Jason Adams, Skyler Bowlin and Keane Thomann.       

Moving Up: With his first steal at SBU, Marquis Addison moved into rare company as one of only four players to ever play at MSSU with 200 or more steals. He currently sits in fourth place all-time in career steals with 203, 55 behind Hiram Ocasio for third place.

Can't Miss: In the Lions' game against Missouri Western on Jan. 25, Southern had one of its best shooting nights ever. The Lions shot 68 percent from the field, 73 percent from long-range and 73 percent from the free-throw line. The 68 percent from the field was just off the 69.5 percent school record and the 73 percent from the three-point line is just off the school record of 75 percent, consequently set against Missouri Western in 1991.  

Corn Wins No. 400: Coach Robert Corn won his 400th career game on Jan. 15, 2014 in a 70-50 win at home over Lindenwood He now has 403 wins and is second among active coaches (Bob Chipman).

Three Point Streak: The Lions failed to make a three-pointer at Arkansas Tech in their match-up in 2012-13. It was the first time in 403 games that Southern had failed to hit a three pointer, dating back to Jan. 20, 1999 against Missouri S&T. The Lions have had a three in 41-straight games since Arkansas Tech in 2012-13.

This Time Last Year: Against Central Missouri last season, Marquis Addison went over the 1,000 point plateau, scoring 20 points in the game. 

Points a Plenty: With the 101 points scored against Ottawa, it is the first time in the program's history the Lions have scored at least 100 points or more in three-straight games. The Lions have scored 100 or more in 66 games in the program's history, including six times in the 85-86 season and five times this season.  

Up Next: The Lions will be back in action on Wednesday, Feb. 12 at home against Northwest Missouri.