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MSSU women earn number four seed in MIAA

(From MSSU Lions Athletic News)

The Missouri Southern women's basketball team has qualified as the No. 4 seed in the 2015 MIAA Basketball Tournament and will open up with its first game on Friday, March 6 in Kansas City, Mo. at the historic Municipal Auditorium.

The Lions will play in the 2:15 PM game on Friday afternoon and will play the winner of the Central Missouri/Lindenwood game that will be played in Warrensburg on Tuesday evening.

Fort Hays State earned the regular-season championship and the No. 1 seed in the tournament. Emporia State is the No. 2 seed, while Pittsburg State earned the No. 3 seed. Central Oklahoma is the No. 6 seed and is playing host to No. 11 Nebraska-Kearney in a play in game. No. 7 Missouri Western will host No. 10 Lincoln, while No 8 Washburn will host No. 9 Northeastern State.

Tickets for games in Kansas City can be purchased on Monday or Tuesday by either emailing Randon Coffey (coffey-r@mssu.edu) or by calling at 417-625-3075. Missouri Southern's allottment of single-session tickets have been sold out, but all-session passes can be purchased for $50.

There will be a send-off for the women an hour and a half before their game near the escalator at the Kansas City Marriott.

MSSU women win 20th game, 79-69 over Lincoln

(From MSSU Lions Athletic News)

The Missouri Southern women's basketball team secured a bid to Kansas City today as the Lions defeated visiting Lincoln 79-69 on Robert Corn Court inside the Leggett & Platt Athletic Center.

Southern (20-6, 14-5 MIAA) picks up its first 20-win season since the 1995-96 campaign when the Lions went 23-6. The Lions also secure at least the No. 4 seed in Kansas City with No. 3 still a possibility depending on the outcome of the Pittsburg State-Washburn game later in the evening.

The Lions were led offensively by a career night from Jenson Maydew. Maydew scored a career-high 18 points and pulled down seven boards. Camila Lacerda came up just three rebounds shy of a triple-double when the senior scored 15, dished out ten assists and added seven rebounds. Sharese Jones picked up her seventh double-double of the season with 15 points and ten rebounds, while Shawnee Phillips scored 13.

Lincoln (12-13, 7-12 MIAA) was led offensively by 22 points from Hunter Yoakum. Three other Blue Tigers scored in double-figures.

The Lions opened up an 11-3 lead at the 15:39 mark of the first half after a layup from Jenson Maydew off an assist from Lacerda. A three from Lacerda at the 10:31 mark gave the Lions a 12-point lead (19-7) and a pair of free throws from Jones pushed the Lions' lead up to 14 (21-7) the next trip down.

The lead reached 14 twice more in the half, the last on a layup from Lex Fitzpatrick with 1:42 to go and the Lions took a nine-point lead (42-33) into the break after a layup from Lincoln as time ran out.

Southern shot 50 percent in the half and Lacerda had eight points and six assists at the break. Jones led all scorers with nine points on 3-4 shooting.

A three pointer from Lacerda with 16:54 left in the game put the Lions up by 15 (53-38) and a layup from Maydew with 7:30 to go gave the Lions a 21 point advantage (67-46). That would be the largest lead of the game for the Lions as a three from Fizpatrick with 6:46 left gave the Lions a 70-49 lead as well.

Southern shot 51 percent from the field and 48 percent from long-range. The Lions made 74 percent of their free-throws and had a 12-6 advantage on the offensive boards, leading to a 16-2 lead in second-chance points. The Lions out rebounded the Blue Tigers 43-23.

The Lions will be back in action next Friday, March 6 in the second-round of the MIAA Tournament. Opponent info and game time will be released by the MIAA later this evening.

MSSU men defeat Lincoln 95-79

(From MSSU Lions Athletic News)

The Missouri Southern men's basketball team took another step toward a first-round bye and an automatic berth to Kansas City, as the Lions disposed of visiting Lincoln 95-79 tonight on Senior Night on Robert Corn Court inside the Leggett & Platt Athletic Center. 

Southern (18-10, 12-7 MIAA) had five players score in double-figures led by 17 points and seven rebounds fromTaevaunn Prince. Lane Barlow scored 13 and added six boards, while Cameron Cornelius scored 12, Austin Wright added 11 and Greg Renfroe scored ten. 

Lincoln (4-24, 1-18 MIAA) had three score in double-figures led by 19 points each from Josh Buie and Blake Ralling. 

The Lions started the game hot as with five of the six seniors starting (Barlow odd man out) all five had scored when Southern led 13-3 after a three from Randy Clark with 16:18 left. A layup from Morgan Smith made the score 15-3 and a tip-in from Barlow made the score 17-3 with 14:43 to go in the half. 

The Southern lead reached 21 after a three-point play from Blaine Miller made the score 38-17 with 7:12 to go. A late three from Lincoln made the halftime score 45-31, MSSU. 

Southern led by 18 (63-45) after a pair of freebies from Prince with 13:37 to go, but Lincoln chipped away at the lead and a layup from the Blue Tigers' Jeremy Jackson with just under seven to go made the score 70-64, MSSU. 

The Lions then kicked into high gear. Southern went on a 9-0 run to push its lead to 15 after a pair of free throws from Wright and a jumper from Renfroe with 2:27 to go made the lead 17 (90-73). Two freebies from Prince gave the Lions their largest lead of the half (19) when the score was 92-73 with 1:43 to go. A layup from Bryan Adamsmade the final score 95-79. 

The Lions shot 53 percent from the field and 86 percent from the free throw line. Southern had a 54-32 advantage in the paint and the Lions had a 39-25 advantage on the boards. The Lions' bench out scored Lincoln 61-18. 

Southern will now wait for the numbers to be released from the MIAA for what the Lions' seed will be to the MIAA Tournament. With Northwest Missouri and Central Oklahoma both winning today, the chance the Lions will have to play on Monday look slim, but an official announcement will be coming from the MIAA later tonight, as well as on www.mssulions.com. 

Schedule changes announced for MSSU baseball

(From MSSU Lions Athletic News)

Missouri Southern baseball coach Bryce Darnell has announced a few schedule changes for this weekend's series with Southwest Baptist.

Already being pushed back a few days and re-located partially to Joplin, today's snow in Southwest Missouri has forced the cancellation of tomorrow's double-header in Joplin.

The teams were slated to play two games in Bolivar on Monday, but those games have been moved to Joplin and the two teams will now play a double-dip at 6 pm at the MSSU Baseball Field in Joplin.

Stay tuned to www.mssulions.com for any further changes should they occur.

Watch live - District semi-final- East Newton vs. Butler

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Southern women's track to compete at Central Missouri

(From MSSU Lions Athletic News)

The Missouri Southern women's track and field team will be in action this weekend as the Lions travel to Warrensburg to compete in the 2015 MIAA Indoor Track and Field Championships hosted by Central Missouri in the Multipurpose Building.

The Lions, ranked seventh in the latest Central Region poll, have 15 provisional marks going into the event with multiple athletes earning marks in more than one event.

Emily Harris, who set a school record in the 3k earlier this year, goes into the Championships ranked 6th nationally in the mile and 27th in the 3k. She has the top time in the MIAA in both those events.

Amber White has the 32nd-best time nationally and third-best time in the MIAA in both the 200m and 400m, whileKindra Emberton ranks 18th nationally and 2nd in the MIAA in the 800m. Harris also ranks 28th nationally in the 800m and 4th in the MIAA.

Kaitlyn Belisle ranks 24th nationally in the 5k and 2nd in the MIAA, while the distance medley relay team of White, Emberton, Harris and Dana Roberson rank seventh nationally and tops in the MIAA.

Melanie Bower, the reigning MIAA Field Athlete of the Week, ranks eighth nationally in the pole vault and second in the MIAA, while Shelby Sutherland ranks 47th nationally in the high jump and 11th in the MIAA.

Brittani Reagan ranks 22nd in the long jump and second in the MIAA, while Kaylee Morgan ranks 29th in the event and 5th in the MIAA.

Katie Skelton ranks 44th nationally and 8th in the MIAA in the shot put, while Victoria Foley ranks 32nd nationally and 4th in the weight throw. Morgan ranks 26th nationally and 8th in the pentathlon.


Action begins tomorrow with the heptathlon and the pentathlon while field and track events begin on Saturday. The meet concludes Sunday afternoon.

MSSU men's track and field to compete at Warrensburg

(From MSSU Lions Athletic News)

The 14th ranked Missouri Southern men's track and field team will head to Warrensburg this weekend to compete in the 2015 MIAA Indoor Track and Field Championships hosted by Central Missouri at the Multipurpose Building.

The Lions are ranked 7th in the Central Region and 14th nationally coming into the event. Southern has ten provisional marks this year led by senior sprinter Jeff Fraley.

Fraley ranks 3rd nationally in the 60m and has an automatic qualifying mark in that category. He also ranks fourth in the 200m and 6th in the 400m. He is the top MIAA athlete in all three events.

Darion Boure ranks third in the nation in the triple jump and tops in the MIAA, while Kennan Harrison ranks 13th in the event and second in the MIAA.

Morgan Hold ranks 22nd in the pole vault nationally and sixth in the MIAA, while Brady Melugin is 34th nationally and 9th in the league.

Erron Holley ranks 24th in the 200m nationally, while the mile relay team of Fraley, Holley, Thomas Hawkins andAnthony Price rank 35th nationally and third in the conference.

Bryan Burns ranks 33rd nationally in the weight throw and fourth in the MIAA.

Action begins tomorrow with the heptathlon and the pentathlon while field and track events begin on Saturday. The meet concludes Sunday afternoon.

Darnell wins 200th as MSSU baseball sweeps COO

(From MSSU Lions Athletic News)

Chris Hoffman (pictured) had a monster day and head coach Bryce Darnell win his 200th career game as the Missouri Southern baseball team swept a double-header from visiting College of the Ozarks Wednesday, winning game one 6-4 and game two 7-2.

Southern (4-0) had a big first inning in game one as Hoffman knocked a three-run home run in the bottom half of the first inning to put the Lions up 3-1 after CofO (0-2) had scored a run in the top half of the inning.

The Lions added a run in the third when Hoffman scored on a sacrifice fly from Richie Gorski. Hoffman reached on a bunt single to start the inning. Hoffman added a sacrifice fly in the fourth scoring Jon Davis and Tee Helselsingled home Chad Shannon to put Southern up 6-1.

The Bobcats added three late runs, but Southern held on for the win. Tyler Burgess started for the Lions and went three innings, allowing two hits and an earned run. He struck out three and walked none. Cody Hutchinson threw three innings, as well, striking out six and walking none to move to 1-0 on the season. Nick Pettus and Kanon Hoover pitched in relief with Hoover picking up his second save of the season.

Hoffman went 2-3 with four RBIs and two runs scored in the game. Helsel and Gorski had an RBI each, while Davis and Shannon scored twice.

Southern opened up strong in game two, scoring four in the opening frame. Brett Graham drove in Gorski on a sacrifice fly to open the scoring, while Axel Johnson added a two-RBI single and Jesse Rall drove in Johnson with a single of his own.

The Bobcats scored a run in the top half of the fourth, but Southern scored three more in the fifth on the second three-run home run by Chris Hoffman of the day. Ozarks scored one more late run.

Payton Walker started game two and went three innings, allowing just two hits, while striking out three and allowing no runs. Hoffman pitched the middle three innings, striking out four and walking none, while Kyle McCulloch pitched a perfect seventh, striking out two.

Hoffman went 2-3 in the game with two runs and three driven in. Johnson drove in two and scored once, while Gorski and Shannon scored twice each. Robbe Ewing went 3-3 with a double.

The Lions are scheduled to play a weekend series at Southwest Baptist on Thursday through Saturday, but that is in question with Thursday's games already being pushed back. When final details are solidified, an update will be sent out.

Tough defense leads MSSU women to 68-63 win over Lindenwood

(From MSSU Lions Athletic News)

The Missouri Southern women's basketball team held tough down the stretch and solid defense mixed with free throws helped the Lions defeat Lindenwood 68-63 on Robert Corn Court inside the Leggett & Platt Athletic Center Wednesday night.

Southern (19-6, 13-5 MIAA) was led offensively by 22 points from Nic Hartzog (pictured). She went 10-10 from the free throw line and dished out three assists. Lex Fitzpatrick scored 11 on 4-7 shooting and 3-4 from long range, while Jordan scored eight and Kenya Brown dished out a career-high four assists. All four assists from Brown led to three pointers.

Lindenwood (11-15, 4-12 MIAA) had four score in double-figures led by 14 points each from Jenny Rocha and Kassidy Gengenbacher, while Vanessa Zailo and Kyle Ferguson scored 12 each.

Both teams started out on fire and traded baskets early on as a jumper from Lindenwood tied the game at 11 at the 15:15 mark. Southern went on an 8-0 run with back-to-back three's from Fitzpatrick to jump ahead 19-11 at the 13:10 mark and MSSU led by 11 (27-16) after a three from Dinyer with 9:32 left in the half.

Lindenwood cut the lead to five (32-27) with 5:43 to go, but a 5-0 run from Southern, capped by another three from Dinyer, put the Lions up ten with 2:57 to go. The Lions went into the locker room with an eight-point advantage.

Southern led by six (43-37) after a layup from Hartzog with 17:59 left in the second half, but Lindenwood chipped away at the lead and took a one-point lead (44-43) with 16:11 to go, but a 5-0 run by Southern gave MSSU a four-point lead 48-44 with just under 15 minutes left.

Lindenwood led by four (52-48) with 11 minutes to go, but the Lions went on a 6-0 run and led 54-52 after a layup from Sharp with 7:52 to go in the game. Back-to-back layups from Hartzog gave the Lions a 62-57 lead with 4:53 to go in the game.

A third layup from Hartzog pushed the score to 64-57, but Lindenwood scored six in a row to get within one with a minute to go, forcing a Southern timeout. A couple made free throws from Hartzog along with a block and a fast-break layup from Sharp sealed the win for the Lions.

Southern shot 44 percent from the field, 47 percent from long-range and 86 percent from the free throw line. MSSU held a 32-26 advantage in the paint and scored 21 points off of 18 Lindenwood turnovers. With the exception of a pair of free throws from Sharese Jones in the second half, the rest of the Lions' 27 points in the second half were scored entirely by the senior class.

Southern will be back in action on Saturday when MSSU plays host to Lincoln for Senior Day. Southern will honor the five seniors on the roster. Tip off is slated for 1 pm.

Barlow triple-double paces MSSU men to 79-66 win

(From MSSU Lions Athletic News)

Lane Barlow secured a triple-double Wednesday night and the Missouri Southern men's basketball team defeated visiting Lindenwood 79-66 on Robert Corn Court inside the Leggett & Platt Athletic Center.

Southern (17-10, 11-7 MIAA) was led in scoring by Taevaunn Prince with 27 points and 11 rebounds for his eighth double-double of the season. Barlow scored 13, pulled down 10 rebounds and added a career-high 11 assists for the first triple-double- of his career. Austin Wright scored 13 points on 5-7 shooting, while Greg Renfroe had eight points, eight rebounds and four blocks.

Lindenwood (17-11, 12-7 MIAA) was led in scoring by 13 points from Sam Mader. Chanse Creekmur scored 12 and brought down seven rebounds.

Southern started out hot as MSSU led 17-10 with 12:59 left in the first half on a three from Cornelius. The lead was eight (23-15) after a layup from Brown with 9:31 to go and the lead was 11 after a three from Blaine Millerwith 6:19 to go.

A three from Lane Barlow with made the Southern lead 16 (41-25) and a late three from Lindenwood gave Southern a 41-28 lead at the break.

A layup from Renfore with 18:16 to go gave Southern a 45-32 lead and a tip in from Prince with 16:51 pushed the lead to 17 (49-32). A pair of free throws from Prince gave Southern a 57-38 lead with 14:35 to go, but a 8-0 run from Lindenwood cut the lead to 11 (57-46) with just over 11 minutes left.

Four Lindenwood free throws cut the lead to seven (57-50), but two freebies from Prince stopped the run and pushed the lead back to nine (59-50). A 7-0 run for Lindenwood cut the lead to two (59-57), but Southern led 64-61 at the final media timeout of the game with 3:50 to go.

A three from Wright with 2:30 to go pushed the Southern lead to six (69-63), and three free throws down the stretch secured the win for Southern. 

Southern will be back in action this Saturday when the Lions play host Lincoln University for Senior Day. Tip off from Robert Corn Court inside the Leggett & Platt Athletic Center is slated for 3 pm. 

MSSU softball cancels weekend tournament

(From MSSU Lions Athletic News)

The Missouri Southern Lions softball program has announced the cancellation of this year's Teri Mathis-Zenner Memorial Tournament scheduled to be played at the Joplin Sports Complex due to anticipated weather expected in the area this weekend.

The Lions will be back in action Wednesday March 4 as they travel to Claremore, Okla. to take on Rogers State. Game time for the double header is scheduled for 2pm.

Watch District Semi-Finals- EN girls vs. El Dorado Springs live tonight

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MSSU baseball announces schedule changes

(From MSSU Lions Athletic News)

Missouri Southern baseball coach Bryce Darnell has announced some schedule changes for his program.

Originally slated to play a weekend series with Southwest Baptist in Bolivar, those games have now been split up between the two campuses due to forecasted weather situations.

The Lions and Bearcats will now play two games in Joplin on Sunday, March 1. Those games from the new MSSU Baseball Field will start at 3 pm.

The two teams will then play a double-header in Bolivar on Monday, March 2 at noon.

Darnell also announced the scheduled game between the Lions and College of the Ozarks for March 17 has been cancelled. No make up date will be played.

Stay tuned to www.mssulions.com for any further schedule changes should they happen.

MSSU softball reschedules games

(From MSSU Lions Athletic News)

The Missouri Southern Softball Team has rescheduled the series with Drury and added a double header with William Jewell to their 2015 schedule.

The home and home series with Drury has been rescheduled for March 18 and April 7. The double header on March 18th will be at Lea Kungle Field at the Robert W. Plaster Sports Complex at MSSU with game times at 4pm and 6pm. The return trip to Springfield will be made on April 7 with first pitch at 4pm.

The addition of a double header with William Jewell of the GLVC has been made for March 24 at Lea Kungle Field at the Robert W. Plaster Sports Complex with first pitch scheduled for 4pm.

MSSU defensive coordinator participates in NFL/NCAA Academy

(From MSSU Lions Athletic News)

Missouri Southern defensive coordinator Rashad Watson participated in the 2015 NFL and NCAA Coaches Academy this past weekend.

Watson, who is in his fourth season as an assistant coach with the Lions, also participated in the NFL's Bill Walsh Minority Coaching program where he was a defensive assistant with the Kansas City Chiefs during their training camp in 2014.

The academy was developed in 2011 as a collaborative effort between NCAA Leadership Development and NFL Player Engagement to positively influence diversity numbers in the college game and as a way for talented football coaches to get exposure.

Watson was one of 30 NCAA coaches and one of ten Division II coaches to get accepted into the program. He was the only coach from the MIAA and the only coach from the NCAA Super Region III in the academy.

Coaches were trained at the academy in sessions that included athletic operation and budget management, college recruiting and NFL scouting, media training, offensive and defensive strategies, as well as contract negotiations.

The academy also allowed participants to meet ad interact with NCA athletics professionals, student-athlete affairs administrations and NCAA national office staff, as well as various NFL representatives.

The keynote speakers at the event involved former NFL coach Dennis Green, as well as former NFK general manager Charley Casserly and current Memphis athletic director Tom Bowen.

"I believe there are some outstanding up and coming young coaches in the game," Watson said. "This academy not only provides a great networking opportunity, but exposes the participants to a wealth of knowledge in interviewing techniques, communicating with campus administrators, and impacting the student athlete in an uplifting and positive manner. I want to be not only a leader as a coach, but also a better servant to my community. This coaches academy will grant me continuous professional development, while also increasing my personal development."

MSSU women to play Lindenwood tonight

(From MSSU Lions Athletic News)

The Missouri Southern Women (18-6, 12-5 MIAA) are looking to secure a bye to Kansas City in the MIAA Post-Season Tournament as they host Lindenwood (11-14, 4-14 MIAA) Wednesday night in Joplin.

Game Information
Date: Wednesday February 25, 2015
Tip-Off: 5:30 pm
Location: Joplin, Mo.
Site: Corn Court/Leggett & Platt Athletic Center

The Series
Series Record:  MSSU leads, 7-0
Series History: This is just the eighth meeting in the battle of the Lions as Southern holds a 7-0 advantage over Lindenwood.Earlier this season Southern went into St. Charles and came away with a 79-70 win on January 15.Southern is 3-0 in Joplin, including a 2-0 record inside The Leggett & Platt Athletic Center.Since joining the MIAA Lindenwood is 0-4 against Missouri Southern and 0-1 inside LPAC. 

Coaches
LWU: Tony Francis, 63-62 (5th Season)
MSSU: Ronda Hubbard, 37-14 (2nd Season)

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

MIAA Team Rankings - The Lions ranked 1st in the MIAA in free throw percentage (.777), 2nd in rebounding defense (31.5 rpg), 3-pt FG percentage (.356), 3rd in 3-pt FG percentage defense (.282), 4th in rebounding margin (+5.2 rpg), scoring defense (58.7 ppg), scoring margin (+10.0 ppg), 6th in 3-pt FG made (6.0 per game), field goal percentage (.419), 7th in steals (7.8 spg), assists (12.7 apg), and assist/turnover ratio (0.8).

MIAA Individual Ranks - Sharese Jones is 11th in the MIAA in scoring with 14.0 ppg, 7th in FG percentage as she is shooting 50.5% from the field hitting 112-222, 5th in rebounding with 7.1 rpg, 5th in free throw percentage shooting 83.6% (102-122).Nic Hartzog is 12th in the league in scoring with 13.7 ppg, 2nd in free throw percentage shooting 85.6%, 119-139 from the line, and 1st in steals with 2.3 spg.Lex Fitzpatrick is 10th in the MIAA with 3.1 assists per game and 13th in assist/turnover ratio with a 1.5 ratio. 

National Stat Leaders - The Lions are 9th in NCAA D2 in free throw percentage shooting 78.1% as a team and 25th in scoring defense allowing just 58.5 ppg.  The Lions are also 40th in scoring margin with a +10.6 ppg, 44th in rebounding margin +5.4 rpg, and 42nd in 3-pt FG percentage shooting 35.7%. Nic Hartzog is 42nd in free throw percentage shooting 84.7 %  and 43rd in steals per game with 2.45 per contest.

Dialing Long Distance - The Lions have made a three pointer in 433 consecutive games. The last time Southern did not make a shot from downtown was in a 68-53 loss to Southern Arkansas on Nov. 20, 1999.

Defensive Effort - The Lions have not allowed 100 points to an opponent since Emporia State defeated Southern 102-60 on Feb. 12, 2000. That is 413 straight games without allowing 100+ points.

Leading At The Half - The Lions have led the game at the half in 15 of 24 games this season and are 14-1. Southern is 25-5 when that happens under Coach Hubbard.

Sharp Shooting - Southern has out-shot their opponents in 12 out of 24 games this season and are 27-4 when that happens under Coach Hubbard.

Dropping Dimes - The Lions dropped more dimes than their opponents in 17 out of 24 games this season and are 32-5 when that happens all time under Coach Hubbard. The Lions set a new team record for assists in a game with 33 assists on 39 made buckets against Central Christian on November 25, 2014.

Glass Cleaners - The Lions, as a team out rebounded 16 of their 24 opponents this season and are 31-6 when that happens under Coach Hubbard.

MSSU's Melanie Bower named MIAA Field Athlete of the Week

(From MSSU Lions Athletic News)

Missouri Southern junior pole vaulter Melanie Bower has been named the MIAA Women's Field Athlete of the Week the league announced today.

Bower, a native of Linn, Mo., came within three quarters of an inch of breaking her personal best in the pole vault this week, competing at Central Missouri.

She posted a provisional height of 12-06.00 to win the event. That mark is the third-best vault in MSSU history and ranks eighth in Division II and second best in the MIAA.

The Lions will be back in action this weekend traveling to Warrensburg for the 2015 MIAA Indoor Track and Field Championships.

Preview- Missouri Southern men to play Lindenwood

(From MSSU Lions Athletic News)

The Missouri Southern men's basketball team will continue it's late push at securing an automatic bid to Kasas City as the Lions play host to Lindenwood Wednesday night. Tip off from Robert Corn Court inside the Leggett & Platt Athletic Center is slated for 7:30 pm.   

Game Information

Teams: Missouri Southern (16-10, 10-7 MIAA) vs. Lindenwood (17-10, 12-6 MIAA)

Date: Wedesday, Feb. 25, 2015
Tip-Off: 7:30 pm
Location: Joplin, Mo.
Site: Robert Corn Court/Leggett & Platt Athletic Center
Series Record: Series tied 2-2
Coaches: Jeff Boschee (16-10 overall/at MSSU). Brad Soderberg (127-60 at LU/338-202 overall)

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 102-44, 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.

Brad Soderberg is in his sixth season as the head coach of the Lindenwood men's basketball team in 2014-15. He is in his 19th year as a collegiate head coach, including six at the NCAA Division I level. In just his first five years, Soderberg has become Lindenwood's all-time winningest head coach with 127 wins. He also holds the school record in winning percentage with .710. Under Soderberg, the Lions have won at least 19 games in every season but one during his tenure which included the program's transition to the NCAA level. After winning 20 games in 2011-12, it was the first time in school history that the program has won 20 games three seasons in a row. Lindenwood is 127-60 through five seasons under Soderberg, and he enters the 2013-14 season with a career record of 330-198. 

The Series - This is only the fifth meeting ever between the two schools. The series is tied at two wins each with Lindenwood winning the first between the two teams this season. 

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.     

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 (.459). 

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 fourth at 162 career treys. He needs 63 to break Skyler Bowlin's record of 224.   

Record Breakers III - Wright broke the MSSU single-game three point record against Northeastern State when the junior hit nine as part of 28 points in the Lions' 90-54 win. 

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

Stingy Defense -  The Lions have held their opponents to 71 points or under in 13 of their last 21 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.   

Double-Double This - Taevaunn Prince has seven double-double's this season. Against Emporia State, both Prince and Lane Barlow had a double-double each. 

Perfect When - The Lions are perfect this year when they do the following things: score 90+ (4-0), have more assists (9-0) and out shoot the opponent (13-0).

NCAA Stat Leaders - The Lions, as a team, rank seventh nationally in free throws made, while ranking 15th in three point defense. They rank 12th in free throw attempts and 50th in free throw percentage. Individually, Taevaunn Prince ranks 24th in free throws made and 36th in free throw attempts. Greg Renfroe ranks 33rd in total blocks and 36th in blocks per game.         

MIAA Stat Leaders - As a team, the Lions lead the MIAA in free throw attempts and free throws made, while also leading in three point defense. The team ranks fourth in free throw percentage, while ranking third in offensive rebounds per game and fourth in scoring offense. Southern ranks fourth in defensive rebounds per game, and field goal defense, while ranking fifth in total rebounds. Individually, Wright leads the league in three point shooting, while Prince leads the MIAA in both free throw attempts and free throws made. Renfroe ranks second in both total blocks and blocks per game, while Wright ranks second in three's per game and total three's.  

Up Next - Southern will finish out the regular season by playing host to Lincoln University this Saturday. Tip off from Robert Corn Court inside the Leggett & Platt Athletic Center is slated for 3 pm.

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MSSU women defeat No. 7 Pittsburg State in overtime

(From MSSU Lions Athletic News)

The Missouri Southern women's basketball team picked up a huge win today as the Lions took out No. 7 ranked Pittsburg State on the road, winning 72-68 in overtime in the State Farm Trophy Series matchup.

Southern (18-6, 12-5 MIAA) wins for the 17th time inside John Lance Arena in Pittsburg and the second time in a row. The Lions also defeated their second ranked opponent on the season as Southern also won at No. 7 Washburn earlier in the season.

The Lions were led offensively by 18 points and a career-high nine rebounds from Nic Hartzog. Camilla Lacerda had 14 points, while Sharese Jones scored 12. Jordan Dinyer had nine points and a career-high 14 rebounds.

Pitt State (24-4, 14-3 MIAA) was led by 15 points each from Antquinita Reed and Lizzy Jeronimus.

The Lions opened the scoring when Hartzog put back a shot on the team's first possession. The game was tied at nine after a jumper from Tami Morice with 13:26 left to go in the half, and the Lions took a 11-9 lead on a tip-in from Hartzog with just under 12 minutes to go.

A jumper from Jenson Maydew with 7:52 to go capped a 9-3 run by the Lions and put Southern up 18-12. Pitt tied the game at 20 and went ahead 23-22 with 3:15 to go in the half, but the Lions closed the half on a 7-4 run and a three from Dinyer, her second of the half, as time expired gave the Lions a 29-27 lead at the break.

A pair of free throws from PSU cut the Lions' lead to just two (33-31) with 16:29 left to go in the second half. A 5-2 run by the Lions put Southern up 38-33, but Pitt tied the game at 41 with 11:01 left. Southern then went on a 7-0 run and led 48-41 after a pair of free throws from Lacerda with 9:17 left.

A three from Shawnee Phillips gave the Lions an eight point lead (54-46) with 6:52 to go, but Pitt tied the game again at 54 with 4:11 to go. The two teams traded buckets the rest of the way and headed into overtime.

The Lions got a three from Lacerda on the opening possession of overtime and a pair of freebies from Jones gave the Lions a 65-60 lead with 3:45 left in the extra frame. A layup from Lacerda with 2:18 to go made the score 67-62, Lions, but PSU went on a 4-0 run to get to within one (67-66) with 30 seconds left. A pair of free throws the next trip down from Hartzog gave the Lions a three-point lead back (69-66).

Pitt missed on an attempt at three with just over ten seconds to go and Dinyer pulled down the rebound, while getting fouled on the play. The freshman calmly made one of two free throws and PSU converted on a put back with 1.9 seconds to go making the score 70-68, Lions. Two freebies from Hartzog gave the Lions the 72-68 win.

The Lions shot 40 percent from the field, 41 percent from long-range and 77 percent from the free throw line. Southern had a 42-41 advantage in rebounds and had the lead for 31 minutes of the game.

The Lions will be back in action this Wednesday when the Lions play host to Lindenwood. Tip off from Robert Corn Court inside the Leggett & Platt Athletic Center is slated for 5:30 pm.

MSSU jumpers compete in Arkansas Open

(From MSSU Lions Athletic News)

The Missouri Southern men's and women's track and field team sent a group of jumpers Saturday to compete at the Arkansas Open.

On the women's side, Kaylee Morgan was third in the long jump with a provisional distance of 18-08, while Brittani Reagan leaped to a provisional distance of 18-05.25 to finish fourth.

On the men's side, Desmond Williams finished seventh in the long jump with a distance of 22-10.50, while Jacob Rowe was eighth in a distance of 22-00.75.

Both the men's and women's teams will be back in action next week as the Lions will compete in the 2015 MIAA Indoor Track and Field Championships. The meet will be hosted by Central Missouri on Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

Late free throws lift MSSU men to 66-63 win over Pitt State

(From MSSU Lions Athletic News)

The Missouri Southern men's basketball team hung on and made free-throws down the stretch to defeat Pittsburg State 66-63 inside John Lance Arena in a State Farm Trophy Series matchup.

Southern (16-10, 10-7 MIAA) was led offensively by 17 points from Cameron Cornelius. Taevaunn Princescored 16 and added 11 rebounds for his seventh double-double of the season. Austin Wright scored nine points, as well as Lane Barlow, while Greg Renfore had eight points and five boards.

The Lions, with the women's win earlier in the day, sweep at PSU for the first time since January 11, 2006.

Pittsburg State (16-9, 12-5 MIAA) had three score in double-figures, led by 22 points from Josiah Gustafson.

The Lions opened the game on a 5-1 run, but pitt tied the game at seven with 17:34 left to go in the half. A dunk from Renfroe with 16:45 left in the half gave the Lions a 12-9 lead. A three from Charlie Brown pushed the Lions lead to five (16-11) at the 11:24 mark, but the game was tied again at 19 with 7:21 to go.

Pitt went on a 9-1 run to pushed its lead to eight (28-20) and led by 11 (32-21) after a pair of free throws with 3:41 to go. Southern answered back and went on an 8-0 run to cut the lead to three (32-29) and the Lions went into the locker room down 33-29.

A jumper from Prince to start the half cut the lead to two (33-31) and a free throw from Barlow with 17:14 left cut the lead back to one again. The Gorillas, however, slowly chipped away and put some distance between the two teams. A jumper from PSU with 11:32 to go made the lead 48-41 PSU, and the Gorillas led by seven again (50-43) after a layup with 9:20 to go.

But the Lions started to go to work. Southern had three's from Austin Wright on two separate trips, cutting the lead to just one (52-51) with eight minutes to go. Pitt pushed its lead back to seven with six to go, but a free throw from Cornelius tied the game at 58 with just over four to play.

Two free throws from Renfroe with two minutes to go gave the Lions a 62-61 lead and a pair of freebies from Prince made the score 64-61 with 1:20 to go. Southern led 64-62 with 27 seconds to go and an offensive foul called on PSU gave the Lions the ball back with 21 to go. After a pair of missed free throws for the Lions, the Gorillas' Devon Branch went to the line, shooting two with 5.9 to go. He made one, missed the second and Brown grabbed the rebound, getting fouled in the process. He nailed both shots and the Lions stole the inbounds pass, to secure the win.

Southern shot 40 percent from the field in the game. After shooting just 54 percent from the free throw line in the game, the Lions shot 75 percent from the line in the second half.

Pitt made only 5-9 free throws in the final five minutes of the game and the Lions had two defensive rebounds on two separate 0-2 efforts at the free throw line for the Gorillas.

Southern will be back in action this Wednesday when the Lions play host to Lindenwood. Tip off from Robert Corn Court inside the Leggett & Platt Athletic Center is slated for 7:30 pm.

Preview- Missouri Southern women to play PSU today

(From MSSU Lions Athletic News)

The Missouri Southern Women's Basketball team will put their State Farm Trophy Series point on the line Saturday afternoon in Pittsburg, Kan. as they take on 7th ranked Pittsburg State.

Game Information
Date: Saturday February 21, 2015
Tip-Off: 1:30 pm
Location: Pittsburg, Kan.
Site: John Lance Arena

The Series
Series Record:  PSU leads, 44-40
Series History:  This is the 85th meeting between the State Farm Trophy Series rivals, the most played series in Southern history. Pitt State holds a 44-40 advantage, winning the last six out of seven contests.Pitt State holds a 25-16 advantage inside John Lance Arena, while Southern leads 23-18 in Joplin and the series is tied 1-1 on neutral courts. The Lions defeated PSU 82-67 at Washburn on March 12, 1993 in the NCAA South Central Regional, while Pitt State defeated the Lions 61-57 in OT in the first round of the MIAA Post-Season Tournament in Kansas City on March 4, 2011.Southern's longest winning streak was eight games from December 12, 1974 thru February 24, 1978.Pitt State's longest winning streak was at 10 from January 28, 1998 thru February 13, 2002.

Coaches
PSU: Lane Lord, 151-79 (8th Season)
MSSU: Ronda Hubbard, 36-14 (2nd Season)

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

MIAA Team Rankings - The Lions ranked 1st in the MIAA in free throw percentage (.781), 2nd in rebounding defense (31.3 rpg), 3-pt FG percentage (.357), 3rd in 3-pt FG percentage defense (.287), rebounding margin (+5.4 rpg), steals (8.3 spg), 5th in scoring defense (58.5 ppg), scoring margin (+10.6 ppg), 3-pt FG made (6.0 per game), 6th in FG percentage (.419), and assists (12.8 apg).

MIAA Individual Ranks - Sharese Jones is 11th in the MIAA in scoring with 14.3 ppg, 7th in FG percentage as she is shooting 50.7% from the field hitting 105-207, 5th in rebounding with 7.5 rpg, 5th in free throw percentage shooting 83.0% (93-112).Nic Hartzog is 12th in the league in scoring with 13.5 ppg, 2nd in free throw percentage shooting 85.8%, 109-127 from the line, and 1st in steals with 2.5 spg.Lex Fitzpatrick is 10th in the MIAA with 3.1 assists per game and 15th in steals with 1.4 per game. 

National Stat Leaders - The Lions are 9th in NCAA D2 in free throw percentage shooting 78.1% as a team and 25th in scoring defense allowing just 58.5 ppg.  The Lions are also 40th in scoring margin with a +10.6 ppg, 44th in rebounding margin +5.4 rpg, and 42nd in 3-pt FG percentage shooting 35.7%. Nic Hartzog is 42nd in free throw percentage shooting 84.7 %  and 43rd in steals per game with 2.45 per contest.

Dialing Long Distance - The Lions have made a three pointer in 432 consecutive games. The last time Southern did not make a shot from downtown was in a 68-53 loss to Southern Arkansas on Nov. 20, 1999.

Defensive Effort - The Lions have not allowed 100 points to an opponent since Emporia State defeated Southern 102-60 on Feb. 12, 2000. That is 412 straight games without allowing 100+ points.

Leading At The Half - The Lions have led the game at the half in 14 of 23 games this season and are 13-1. Southern is 24-5 when that happens under Coach Hubbard.
Sharp ShootingSouthern has out-shot their opponents in 11 out of 23 games this season and are 26-4 when that happens under Coach Hubbard.

Dropping Dimes - The Lions dropped more dimes than their opponents in 16 out of 23 games this season and are 31-5 when that happens all time under Coach Hubbard. The Lions set a new team record for assists in a game with 33 assists on 39 made buckets against Central Christian on November 25, 2014.

Glass Cleaners - The Lions, as a team out rebounded 15 of their 23 opponents this season and are 30-6 when that happens under Coach Hubbard.

Preview- MSSU men to play at Pittsburg State today

(From MSSU Lions Athletic News)

The Missouri Southern men's basketball team will renew its rivalry with Pittsburg State as the Lions travel west to take on the Gorillas in a State Farm Trophy Series Matchup. Tip off from John Lance Arena this Saturday is slated for 3:30 pm.    

Game Information

Teams: Missouri Southern (15-10, 9-7 MIAA) @ Pittsburg State (16-8, 12-4 MIAA) 

Date: Saturday, Feb. 21, 2015
Tip-Off: 3:30 pm
Location: Pittsburg, Kan.
Site: John Lance Arena (5,000)
Series Record: Southern leads 49-44
Coaches: Jeff Boschee (15-10 overall/at MSSU). Kevin Muff (72-63 overall/at PSU)

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 101-44, 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.

Kevin Muff enters his fifth year as head basketball coach at Pittsburg State University after being hired to the position on April 5, 2010. Muff has compiled a 56-55 (.505) record in four seasons at Pitt State. He led the Gorillas to an 18-10 record – the squad's highest win total since the 2006-07 campaign – and an appearance in the second round of the MIAA Postseason Tournament in 2011. Muff guided the Gorillas to a 17-14 record and a berth in the finals of the MIAA Postseason Tournament in 2012. Muff, 51, a former assistant coach at Pitt State from 1990-93, returned to campus after serving 12 seasons as head coach at Cloud County Community College in Concordia, Kan., where he averaged 21 wins per season over his last five years at the school. Prior to his assignment at Cloud County, Muff coached five seasons at Wamego High School, leading the school to a Kansas Class 4A state runner-up finish in 1998. He was named the Flint Hills Area Coach of the Year during the 1997-98 season.

The Series - The Lions lead 49-44 in the all-time series with 19 wins in their last 32 tries vs. the Gorillas. The Lions and Gorillas have split the series past seven seasons. The series now has some extra bragging rights as the two schools will be vying for the State Farm Trophy as part as the State Farm Trophy Series that pitts the two athletic departments against each other in a total points series. The Lions are 33-13 at home all-time vs. the Gorillas with wins in ten of the last 13 home meetings. Southern is 14-30 at Pittsburg. Fifteen of the last 27 games between the two border rivals have been decided by seven points or less.The 93 games played between the two schools is the most played between any two schools in MSSU history. 

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.     

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 (.460). 

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 fourth at 159 career treys. He needs 66 to break Skyler Bowlin's record of 224.   

Record Breakers III - Wright broke the MSSU single-game three point record against Northeastern State when the junior hit nine as part of 28 points in the Lions' 90-54 win. 

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

Stingy Defense -  The Lions have held their opponents to 71 points or under in 12 of their last 20 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.   

Double-Double This - Taevaunn Prince has six double-double's this season. Against Emporia State, both Prince and Lane Barlow had a double-double each. 

Perfect When - The Lions are perfect this year when they do the following things: score 90+ (4-0), have more assists (9-0) and out shoot the opponent (13-0).

NCAA Stat Leaders - The Lions, as a team, rank seventh nationally in free throws made, while ranking 16th in three point defense. They rank 14th in free throw attempts and 37th in free throw percentage. Individually, Austin Wright ranks seventh in three point shooting, while Taevaunn Prince ranks 25th in free throws made and 36th in free throw attempts. Greg Renfroe ranks 34th in total blocks and 36th in blocks per game.         

MIAA Stat Leaders - As a team, the Lions lead the MIAA in free throw attempts and free throws made, while also leading in three point defense. The team ranks secon din free throw percentage, while ranking third in offensive rebounds per game and scoring offense. Southern ranks fourth in defensive rebounds per game, while ranking fifth in both field goal defense and total rebounds. Individually, Wright leads the league in three point shooting, while Prince leads the MIAA in both free throw attempts and free throws made. Renfroe ranks second in both total blocks and blocks per game, while Wright ranks second in three's per game and total three's.  

Up Next - Southern will be back in action on February 25 when the Lions play host to Lindenwood. Tip off from Robert Corn Court inside the Leggett & Platt Athletic Center is slated for 7:30 pm.