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 from Robert Corn Court inside the Leggett & Platt Athletic Center is slated for 3 pm.
Game Information
Teams: Missouri Southern (10-6, 7-3 MIAA) at Pittsburg State (8-8, 3-7 MIAA)
Date: Saturday, Jan. 16, 2016
Tip-Off: 3:30 pm
Location: Pittsburg, Kan.
Site: John Lance Arena (5,000)
Series Record: Southern leads 50-45
Coaches: Jeff Boschee (30-17 overall/at MSSU). Kevin Muff (84-75, overall/at PSU)
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
The Lions lead 50-45 in the all-time series with 20 wins in their last 34 tries vs. the Gorillas. The series now has some extra bragging rights as the two schools will be vying for a pride Trophy 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 15-30 at Pittsburg. Sixteen of the last 28 games between the two border rivals have been decided by seven points or less. Pittsburg State defeated MSSU 91-65 in last year's MIAA Tournament Championship. The 95 games played between the two schools is the most played between any two schools in MSSU history.
Taevaunn Amongst The Nation's Best
Taevaunn Prince leads the country in free throws made and attempted, while ranking second in both points per game and total points. He ranks fifth in total rebounds, while ranking 8th in defensive rebounds per game. He ranks 13th in total field goals and rebounds per game, while ranking 17th in double-doubles, 26th in total minutes and 36th in both total field goals attempted and minutes per game.
NCAA Individual Stat Leaders
Taevaunn Prince isn't the only Lion that is amongst the National Leaders. Austin Wright ranks 52nd in three pointers attempted, 36th in minures per game, 33rd in total three's made, 59th in three point shooting, and 18th in total minutes. Bruce Marshall also ranks 51st in blocks per game.
NCAA Team Stat Leaders
The Lions rank fourth in free throws made and seventh in free throw percentage. The team ranks ninth in free throw attempts, while ranking 26th in three point shooting, 57th in fewest turnovers and 59th in scoring offense.
MIAA Individual Leaders:
Prince leads the MIAA in defensive rebounds per game, double-doubles, free throws attempted and made, as well as scoring, rebounding, total field goals made and total rebounds. He ranks second in total minutes and fourth in total field goal attempts. Austin Wright leads the Miaa in total minutes, while ranking second in total three pointers made and third in both three point percentage and three pointers per game. He also ranks third in three point attempts. Marshall ranks third in blocks per game.
MIAA Team Stat Leaders
The Lions lead the MIAA in free throw attempts and free throws made, as well as total rebounds. The team ranks second in scoring, three point shooting, total three pointers made, and free throw percentage, while ranking third in three point attempts, three point defense and total three pointers made per game. Southern ranks fourth in defensive rebounds per game.
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 (.457).
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 221 and needs just 4 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 99-straight games since Arkansas Tech in 2012-13.
Taevaunn's On Fire
Taevaunn Prince is averaging 25.9 and 10.4 rebounds this season. He has led the Lions in rebounding every game but one, and in points in 13 of 16.
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 157 on the year and is on pace for 274 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 221 and is 4 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.
Approaching A Grand
Taevaunn Prince currently sits at 926 points in his career, while Austin Wright has 873.
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.
Bevo Francis Small College Player Of The Year Watchlist
Taevaunn Prince has been named to the Bevo Francis Small College Player of the Year Watchlist. The list, which includes 100 players over the ranks of D2, D3 and NAIA has five total MIAA players amongst the group.
Huge Fan Support
Missouri Southern ranks 9th nationally in average attendance with 1,659 fans per game coming to the Leggett & Platt Athletic Center. The Lions rank 4th in total attendance with 16,590 fans this season. Southern ranks fourth in the MIAA in average attendance.
Lions In The D2 Basketball Writers Regional Poll
The Missouri Southern men's basketball program is ranked 5th this week, while Lindenwood is sixth. Northwest Missouri and Lincoln are 9th and 10th, respectively.
Up Next
Southern will continue its four-game road trip with crucial road games at Lincoln and Lindenwood next week.
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