Missouri Southern men to play host to Central Oklahoma

(From MSSU Lions Athletic News)

The Missouri Southern men's basketball team will play host to the MIAA-leading Central Oklahoma Bronchos this Thursday evening in a crucial early MIAA contest for the two teams. Tipoff from Robert Corn Court inside the Leggett & Platt Athletic Center is slated for 7:30 pm. 

Game Information

Teams: Missouri Southern (8-5, 2-2 MIAA) vs. Central Oklahoma (11-3, 4-1 MIAA) 

Date: Thursday, Jan. 8, 2015
Tip-Off: 7:30 pm
Location: Joplin, Mo.
Site: Robert Corn Court/Leggett & Platt Athletic Center (3,240)
Series Record: Series tied 4-4
Coaches: Jeff Boschee (8-5 overall/at MSSU). Terry Evans (254-117 overall/at UCO)

Media Coverage
MSSU Radio: FM 99.7 KBTN - Mike McClure - Play-by-play
Internet Audio: www.mssulions.com
Webcast: www.mssulions.com
Live Stats: www.mssulions.com
Lions on Facebook:  Facebook.com/missourisouthernlions
Lions on Twitter: @mososports; @mssumensbball

A look at the coaches: Jeff Boschee, MSSU - Jeff Boschee is in his first season as the head coach of the Missouri Southern basketball program after serving four seasons as an assistant and associate head coach. He was named the head coach of the Lions on July 1, 2014.  Since Boschee arrived at Southern, the Lions have gone 94-39, made four consecutive MIAA tournaments and had trips to three of the last four NCAA Division II postseason tournaments, while claiming the 2010-11 MIAA regular season championship, and the 2013-14 post-season tournament championship. The 2010-11 team set the MIAA record for conference wins in a season with 19. Under Boschee's leadership, former Lion Skyler Bowlin was the MIAA's Player and Defender of the Year in 2011. He was a first-team All-MIAA, All-Region and All-American selection, being named to three different All-America teams. He was also the Region Player of the Year and a finalist for the National Player of the Year. Bowlin signed a professional contract to play basketball in the German Pro League after completing his eligibility and has since moved on to playing in Denmark.

Now in his 13th year at the helm of the Central Oklahoma men's program is Terry Evans, a former college standout who has built the Bronchos into a perennial NCAA Division II power. Evans is 254-117 in 13 years at UCO, ranking first in winning percentage (.683) and second in wins in program history.  He needs eight wins to overtake Jim Seward (261-165 in 15 years) for the most wins in school history. Evans has directed the Bronchos to seven national tournament appearances, including one Elite Eight and one Sweet 16.  He also led the team to six Lone Star Conference North Division titles and two overall league crowns during Central's association with that league.

The Series - This is a short series between the Lions and the it is tied at 4-4 overall. The Lions lost the first game of the series at home on 11-23-73 to then Central State University as UCO was known. Southern then won a game against the Bronchos in the Pittsburg State Tournament in 1991.Southern is 1-2 at home 1-2 on the road and 2-0 in neutral site games. The Lions have won three of the four games the teams have played as members of the MIAA. 

Defending Champs - The Lions won the 2014 MIAA Basketball Tournament in Kansas City last year, defeating Nebraska-Kearney in the opener. The Lions beat Northwest Missouri in game two and won against Central Oklahoma in the Tournament Championship.    

Regional Appearance - The Lions made the program's fifth-ever appearance in the NCAA tournament last season when the team went to Mankato, Minn. and lost to eventual National Champion Central Missouri in the round of 32. The Lions have been to the NCAA Tournament in three of the last four seasons.    

Record Breakers - Junior shooting guard Austin Wright set two records for the Lions last year, breaking the single-season three point percentage mark (.493) and he also is the current career-leader in that category (.444). 

Record Breakers II - Wright is climbing the charts in career three pointers made at MSSU. He moved into the top five last week and currently sits in a tie for fourth at 127 career treys. He needs 98 to break Skyler Bowlin's record of 224.   

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 66-straight games since Arkansas Tech in 2012-13. 

Stingy Defense -  The Lions have held their opponents to 71 points or under in six of their last eight games. Against Benedictine, Southern held the Ravens to 48 points, nearly 20 points below the season average for the No. 4 ranked team in the NAIA. The total is the lowest opponent output since the Lions held Central Bible to 39 points in 2012.   

Bench Scoring - The Lions' bench has out scored the opponent's bench in 7 of the 13 games this season. Overall, Southern's bench has out scored the opponents 359-281.

Double-Double This - Taevaunn Prince has recorded four-straight double-double's in the Lions' last three games against Washburn, Culver-Stockton and Emporia State. Against Emporia State, both Prince and Lane Barlow had a double-double each.

Big Game Tae - In the last four games, Taevaunn Prince is averaging 22.8 points and 11.8 rebounds, while shooting 54% from the field, 38% from long-range and 83% from the free-throw line.  

Steppin Up -  Taevaunn Prince has led the Lions in both scoring and rebounds in three of the last four games. 

Perfect When - The Lions are perfect this year when they do the following things: score 90+ (3-0), allow 69 or fewer (5-0), have more assists (5-0) and out shoot the opponent (7-0).

NCAA Stat Leaders - The Lions, as a team, rank 11th in free throw attempts and fifth in free-throws made. Individually, Taevaunn PRince ranks 17th in free throws made and 34th in attempts. Greg Renfroe ranks 51st in total blocks.      

MIAA Stat Leaders - The Lions, as a team, lead the MIAA in free throws made, while ranking second in free throw attempts, free throw percentage and three-point defense. They rank fourth in total blocks and scoring, while ranking fifth in defensive rebounds. Individually, Prince leads the league in free throws, while ranking third in FT attempts. Renfroe ranks second in blocks, while Lane Barlow ranks fourth in steals. 

Up Next - Southern will be back in action this Saturday, playing host to Northeastern State at 3 pm on Robert Corn Court inside the Leggett & Platt Athletic Center.