MSSU men to play Central Missouri Saturday

(From MSSU Lions Athletic News)

The Missouri Southern men's basketball team will look to make it two in a row against Central Missouri as the Lions play host to the Mules this Saturday. Tip off fromRobert Corn Court inside the Leggett & Platt Athletic Center is slated for 3 pm.

Game Information

Teams: Missouri Southern (9-6, 6-3 MIAA) vs. Central Missouri (9-4, 3-4 MIAA)

Date: Saturday, Jan. 9, 2016
Tip-Off: 3 pm
Location: Joplin, Mo. 
Site: Robert Corn Court/Leggett & Platt Athletic Center (3,240)
Series Record: Central leads 36-23
Coaches:Jeff Boschee(28-17 overall/at MSSU). Doug Karleskint (34-11 at UCM/124-45 overall)

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/mososports
Lions on Twitter:@mososports; @mssumensbball

The Series

Central leads the series 36-23 and the Mules have won six of the last nine games. The Lions are 14-12 vs. UCM at home and 8-19 on the road. Central has won all but one of the neutral site battles between the two clubs. The Lions are 1-5 all-time against the Mules in MIAA Tournament games after getting a win over then No. 18 ranked UCM in 2015 and Southern has played Central Missouri once in the NCAA Tournament.

Taevaunn Amongst The Nation's Best

Taevaunn Prince leads the country in free throws made, while ranking second in free throws attempted. He ranks third in defensive rebounds and points per game, while ranking fourth in total points, sixth in double-doubles, seventh in total rebounds, ninth in rebounds per games, 11th in total field goals, 35th in field goal percentage, and 56th in total field goals attempted.

NCAA Individual Stat Leaders

Taevaunn Prince isn't the only Lion that is amongst the National Leaders. Austin Wright ranks 54th in three pointers attempted, while ranking 45th in minutes played, 52nd in total threes per game, and 35th in total minutes.

NCAA Team Stat Leaders

The Lions rank 10th in free throws made and 16th in free throw attempts. The team ranks 36th in three point shooting, while ranking 46th in free throw shooting.

MIAA Individual Leaders:

Prince leads the MIAA in free throw attempts and free throws made, as well as defensive rebounds, double-doubles, points per game, rebounds per game, total points and total rebounds. He ranks second in field goal percentage and total minutes, while ranking third in field goal attempts. Austin Wright leads the MIAA in total minutes, while ranking second in total three pointers per game. He ranks third in three point attempts and three point percentage, while ranking fourth in minutes per game and fifth in three pointers per game.

MIAA Team Stat Leaders

The Lions lead the MIAA in free throw attempts and made, as well as total rebounds. The team ranks second in scoring, while ranking fourth in three point attempts, three pointers made, three point defense and three point shooting.

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 (.452).

Record Breakers II

Wright is climbing the charts in career three pointers made at MSSU. He moved into the top five last year and into second place this after the game at Fort Hays, passing Jason Adams. He currently has 217 and needs just 8 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 98-straight games since Arkansas Tech in 2012-13.

Taevaunn's On Fire

Taevaunn Prince is averaging 25.9 and 10.7 rebounds this season. He has led the Lions in rebounding every game but one, and in points in 13 of 15.

Block Party

Bruce Marshall had a career game against Southwest Baptist when the senior center had a career-high seven blocks. The seven blocks is tied for second-most in a single game at MSSU.

Free Throws By the Dozen

Taevaunn Prince tied a single-game (regulation) record against Southwest Baptist when he hit 19 free throws in the game. Already the single-season record holder for free throws made with 182 last season, he has 142 on the year and is on pace for 284 this season, which would shatter the record he set last year.

Mr. 200

Austin Wright had seven three pointers against Central Oklahoma to give him 201 in his career. He currently has 217 and is 8 away from breaking the all-time record at MSSU.

Blocks By The 100

Greg Renfroe picked up his 100th career block this past week against Northeastern State. He currently has 106 and is nine away from tying Keane Thomann for fourth all-time in MSSU history. Renfroe had 62 blocks as a junior, second all-time in a single-season at MSSU.

20-Point Man

Taevaunn Prince has scored 20 points or more in every game but one this season.

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.

That Doesn't Happen Often

The Lions scored 100 points against Nebraska-Kearney and lost on Jan. 2, 113-100. That is just the eighth time in the program's history where the team has scored 100 points, but hasn't won. The last time was a 113-111 overtime loss at Nebraska-Omaha.

Huge Fan Support

Missouri Southern ranks 10th nationally in average attendance with 1,642 fans per game coming to the Leggett & Platt Athletic Center. The Lions rank 7th in total attendance with 14,778fans this season. Southern ranks fourth in the MIAA in average attendance.

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.

Lions In The D2 Basketball Writers Regional Poll

The Missouri Southern men's basketball program is ranked 8th in the Central Region poll this week. Lincoln is sixth and Northwest Missouri is 10th.

Up Next

Southern will have a week off before the Lions travel to Pittsburg State next Saturday to take on the Gorillas. Tip off from John Lance Arena is slated for 3:30 pm.