MSSU men's basketball to play host to Arkansas-Fort Smith tonight

(From MSSU Lions Athletic News)

The Missouri Southern men's basketball program will play host to Arkansas Fort-Smith on Wednesday night on Robert Corn Court inside the Leggett & Platt Athletic Center. Tip off is slated for 7:30 pm. 

Game Information

Teams: Missouri Southern (1-1) vs. Arkansas Fort Smith (2-0)

Date: Wednesday, November 18, 2015
Tip-Off: 7:30
Location: Joplin, Mo.
Site: Robert Corn Court | Leggett & Platt Athletic Center
Series Record: Southern leads series 4-2
Coaches: Jeff Boschee (21-12 overall/at MSSU). Josh Newman (98-74 overall/at UAFS - 4 year record)

Media Coverage

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

The Series

The Lions and Fort Smith have met just six times, a 101-62 win for Southern in 2009-10, a 75-70 win for Southern in 2010-11, an 87-74 win in 2012 and 91-81 win for MSSU last year. UA-Fort Smith won twice in 2012 and 2013. Southern leads the series 4-2 and the Lions are 2-1 at home and 2-1 in Fort Smith.

National Stat Leaders

Taevaunn Prince ranks fourth nationally in defensive rebounds per game, while ranking eighth nationally in total rebounds per game. He ranks 15th in total rebounds, 16th in free throws attempted and 17th in free throws made, while raking 19th in double-doubles.

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 (.459).

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 182 career treys, after passing Keith Allen this past weekend. He needs 43 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 85-straight games since Arkansas Tech in 2012-13.

Taevaunn's Night & Week

Taevaunn Prince scored 29 points and pulled down a career-high 17 rebounds against Minnesota State - Mankato last week. For the week, he averaged 24.5 points and 13 rebounds.

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 last week.

Lions in the D2 Poll

Missouri Southern is receiving votes in the preseason NABC Coaches Poll, currently sitting at No. 26 in the poll with 57 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 D-2 Basketball Writers Regional Poll

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

MIAA Individual Stat Leaders

Prince leads the MIAA in defensive rebounds, double-doubles, free throws made and attempted, rebounds per game and total rebounds, while Charlie Brown, DJ Feitland Brady Petry rank second and third, respectively in total steals and steals per game.

MIAA Team Stat Leaders

The Lions rank second in the MIAA in three pointers per game and total three's made, while ranking third in steals, three point percentage, and free throws attempted and made.

Up Next

Southern will make a Kansas City road trip this weekend as the Lions will play at William Jewell on Saturday and then play at Rockhurst on Monday night.