MSSU men to play Arkansas Tech Saturday

(From MSSU Lions Athletic News)

The Missouri Southern men's basketball team will wrap up its pre-conference schedule on Saturday as the Lions travel to Russellville, Ark. to take on Arkansas Tech University. Tip off from Tucker Coliseum is slated for 3 pm.

Game Information

Teams: Missouri Southern (3-2) at Arkansas Tech (2-2)

Date: Saturday, November 28, 2015
Tip-Off: 3 pm
Location: Russellville, Ark.
Site: Tucker Coliseum (3,500)
Series Record: Southern leads series 17-7
Coaches: Jeff Boschee (23-13 overall/at MSSU). Chad Kline (20-16 overall/at ATU)

Media Coverage

MSSU Radio: NA
Internet Audio: NA
Live Video: www.mssulions.com
Live Stats: www.mssulions.com
Lions on Facebook: Facebook.com/mososports
Lions on Twitter: @mososports; @mssumensbball

The Series

Southern is 17-7 overall against Arkansas Tech. The two teams hooked up nearly every year in the early to mid 70's and then became a regular opponent in the Lions' Thanksgiving tournament from 1991-97. Southern last played two years ago, winning 74-73 in Joplin. Southern has won six out of the last seven games against the Wonder Boys. The Lions are 15-2 at home, 2-4 in Russellville and 0-1 in neutral locations.

Taevaunn Amongst The Nation's Best

Taevaunn Prince ranks 4th nationally in defensive rebounds, while ranking seventh in free throws made and total rebounds. He ranks third in rebounds per game, while ranking eighth in free throws attempted. He also ranks 13th in double-double's, 19th in points per game, 22nd in total points and 50th in total field goals made.

NCAA Team Stat Leaders

The Lions rank 18th in three point shooting, while ranking 29th in free throws made. The team ranks 34th in both free throws attempted and defensive rebounds per game.

MIAA Individual Leaders:

Prince leads the MIAA in double-doubles, free throws attempted, free throws made, rebounds per game and total rebounds, while ranking second in defensive rebounds, third in scoring, offensive rebounds, total points, fourth in total field goals made and fifth in field goal attempts. Austin Wright ranks second in total three pointers made, while third in three point shooting and fourth in three pointers per game. He also ranks third in total minutes. Charlie Brownand DJ Feitl rank third in steals.

MIAA Team Stat Leaders

The Lions lead the MIAA in three point shooting, total three pointers made, total rebounds, free throws attempted and made. The team ranks third in defensive rebounds and three pointers made per game, while ranking fourth in three point defense and steals.

Record Breakers

Senior shooting guard Austin Wright set two records for the Lions last year, including the single-season three point record (79) and the single game three-point record (9). He also owns the single-season three point percentage mark (.493) and is also the current career-leader in that category (.450).

Record Breakers II

Wright is climbing the charts in career three pointers made at MSSU. He moved into the top five last year and currently sits in third at 188 career treys, after passing Keith Allen this past weekend. He needs 37 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 88-straight games since Arkansas Tech in 2012-13.

Taevaunn's On Fire

Taevaunn Prince is averaging 24.5 points and 12 rebounds this season. He has led the Lions in rebounding every game but one, and in points in four of five.

MIAA Player Of The Year

Taevaunn Prince was named the MIAA Men's Basketball Player of the Week this week. He averaged 26.5 points and 13 rebounds last week, helping the Lions to a 2-0 week.

Rebound This

Taevaunn Prince has set his career-high in rebounds in two separate games this year, tying the mark of 17 in two of the four games.

Season-Ending Injury

Southern swing man LJ Ross will sit out the 2015-16 season after pre-season knee surgery revealed more damage than thought.

Go Get Em' Charlie Brown

Sophomore Charlie Brown had a career-high 27 points in a win over St. Cloud State to start the season.

First Time Firsts

The Lions had a trip of firsts in a loss at Rockhurst on Monday. The team, for the first time this season, trailed at halftime for the first time, while also not managing to shoot more and make more free throws than their opponents.

Lions in the D2 Poll

Missouri Southern is receiving votes in this week's NABC Coaches Poll, currently sitting at No. 34 in the poll with 19 points. The Lions finished the 2013-14 season at No. 19 and the 2011-12 season at No. 23 in the final poll. The No. 1 ranking in 2012 was the highest the program has ever been ranked. Southern has been ranked 56 times in the program's history. The most consecutive weeks the Lions have spent in the poll is 23-straight weeks, which covers part of the 2010-11/2011-12 seasons.

Lions in the D2 Basketball Writers Regional Poll

The Missouri Southern men's basketball program is ranked fifth in the US Basketball Writers Association week two Central Region Poll. Central Missouri is ranked second, while Northwest Missouri is fourth, Pittsburg State is seventh and Washburn is tied for ninth.

Up Next

Southern will open up its MIAA slate next week when they play host to Central Oklahoma on December 3. Tip off is slated for 7:30 pm from Robert Corn Court inside the Leggett & Platt Athletic Center.