MSSU baseball games rescheduled

(From MSSU Lions Athletic News)

The Missouri Southern baseball series with Missouri Western has been pushed back a day as the Lions and Griffons will now play on Friday and Saturday due to icy field conditions.

The two teams will play a double-header on Friday beginning at noon and then a single game on Saturday at 11 am.

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

MSSU men fall to Fort Hays State 89-84

(From MSSU Lions Athletic News)

Hays, Kan. - A running layup from Fort Hays State put the Tigers up 85-84 with 20 seconds to go and proved to be the game-winner as the 23rd-ranked Missouri Southern men's basketball team fell 89-84 tonight inside Gross Memorial Coliseum.

Southern (22-6, 13-5 MIAA) was led offensively from Cam Martin as he scored 29 points and added eight rebounds, going 9-of-14 from the field and 11-of-13 from the free throw line. Braelon Walker scored 17 and went 5-of-9 from long-range, while Kinzer Lambert scored 16 and had a team-high seven assists.

FHSU (17-10, 11-7 MIAA) was led by Brady Werth with 19 as four Tigers scored in double-figures.

Both teams went back-and-forth in the early part of the first half, until the Lions went on a 10-0 run and went up 25-17 with 11 minutes left on the clock after a layup from Martin. A 3-pointer from Lambert put the Lions up 30-22 with 7:43 to go in the first half, anda three from Reggie Tharp put the Lions' lead back to ten (35-25).

A layup from Martin put the Lions up 12 (37-25) and a layup from Tharp with 1:46 to go gave the Lions a 39-31 lead. A tip-in for the Tigers as the halftime buzzer sounded gave the Lions a 41-37 lead at the break.

FHSU started the second half on an 8-2 run, giving the Tigers a 45-43 lead with 16:33 left on the clock. Hays maintained a slim lead for the next ten minutes, leading by as many as five (65-60) after a jumper from Werth.

Southern went ahead on a pair of Walker freebies with 7:27 to go and a layup from Clark with 4:57 on the clock kept the Lions up 75-73. The two teams then traded leads and buckets until the Tigers went up 85-84 after a layup from Trey O'Neil with 20 seconds left.

The Lions had the ball late, but a steal from the Tigers gave FHSU the ball back with seven seconds on the clock and Southern was forced to foul. The Tigers made their free throws to secure the win.

The Lions shot 48 percent from the field and 46 percent from the three-point line.

The Lions will finish off the regular season this Saturday as Southern travels to Nebraska-Kearney. Tip off is slated for 4 pm.

MSSU women fall to Fort Hays State 79-59

(From MSSU Lions Athletic News)

Hays, Kan. - The Missouri Southern women's basketball team went head-to-head with the Fort Hays State Tigers, falling 79-59 inside the Grossman Coliseum Thursday evening.

Senior Chelsey Henry recorded the first four points for the Lions (13-15, 5-13 MIAA) as she went on to finish the night with a team-high 12, on 5-of-11 shooting from the field.

Freshman Layne Skiles tied a career-high in points after scoring ten off the bench on a 3-for-5 spurt, including a 2-for-3 line from three-point range. Both Destiny Cozart and Chasidee Owens added nine points as well. MSSU's bench outscored the Tigers 32-19 which Skiles and Cozart were key parts toward in holding that advantage.

The Lions cut the deficit to 14 in the fourth quarter on a 3-pointer by Skiles, but that was as close as they would get until the clock read zero. Fort Hays State (27-1, 17-1 MIAA) ended up with four players in double-figures in the win.

MSSU closes out the 2018-19 regular season against Nebraska-Kearney on Saturday at 2:00 pm. A win over the Lopers and a loss by Southwest Baptist to Lindenwood would secure Southern the tenth and final spot into the MIAA tournament taking place in Kansas City.

Multiple benefits planned to benefit family of Denine Tahbaz

(From MSSU Lions Athletic News)

The Missouri Southern and Joplin communities are rallying behind the Denine Tahbaz family for support after the passing of their daughter this week.

Multiple different efforts are being held to benefit the family and each is outlined below:

Midwestern Built CrossFit gym (217 W 2nd St, Joplin, MO 64801) will be hosting a benefit Friday (March 1) Night during their Friday Night Lights Event beginning at 5:30. Gusanos Pizza will be on site selling pizza to benefit expenses associated with her family's travels. A donation bucket will also be available.

On Monday, March 4, Gusanos Pizza (3929 E 7th St E, Joplin, MO 64801) is hosting a dinner event in honor of Denine. From 5:30-8:00 pm 50 percent of all sales will go to Denine's family. There will be a place for donations and notes of encouragement and happy memories, as well.

The Runaround Joplin is also partnering with Midwestern Built CrossFit. The Runaround will be raffling off a pair of Nike Metcons with all proceeds going to the Tahbaz family to help with their travel expenses. Tickets can be purchased at the Runaround today through Saturday at noon and at MWB CrossFit tomorrow through the Saturday morning class. We will announce the winner live on Instagram and Facebook Saturday afternoon. Tickets are $2 each or $5 for three.

Southern's Zach Parish named MIAA Co-Pitcher of the Week

(From MSSU Lions Athletic News)

Missouri Southern pitcher Zach Parish has been named the MIAA Co-Pitcher of the Week as announced by the league office today.

Parish shares the honor with Mason Green of Central Missouri.

It is the second week in a row the Lions have had or shared MIAA Pitcher of the Week honors as Will Bausinger won last week. 

Parrish helped the Lions to a 3-0 record this past weekend at Central Oklahoma. The junior from Tahlequah started game one and went 8.1 innings, striking out 14 and walking just one, while scattering five hits and allowing just one run in the first inning.

Parish and the Lions will be back in action tomorrow as Southern plays host to Missouri Western. First pitch is slated for 2 pm from Warren Turner Field.

MSSU baseball to play host to Missouri Western

(From MSSU Lions Athletic News)

The 25th ranked Missouri Southern baseball team will play host to Missouri Western on Thursday and Friday in an MIAA three-game series.

Originally slated to be games played over Friday through Sunday, the Lions and Griffons will now play one game Thursday at 2 pm with a double-header on Friday at 1 pm.

Both teams come in atop the MIAA as they both swept MIAA series last weekend; the Lions winning at Central Oklahoma and the Griffons sweeping Fort Hays State in a series that was played in Edmond.

Southern (10-3, 3-0 MIAA) comes into the series with one of Division II's best pitching staffs, ranking fourth in strikeout to walk ratio, fifth in shutouts and tenth in strikeouts.

Will Bausinger and Zach Parish both rank sixth nationally in complete games, while Bausinger and Parish rank fifth and 11th, respectively in strikeouts. Cam Bednar ranks 9th in saves and 3rd in appearances. The Lions have a 3.62 ERA and rank second in the MIAA in strikeouts.

Offensively, Southern is hitting .288 as a team, with four individuals: Dexter Swims (.386), Freddie Landers (.349), Alex Phillips (.306) and Davin Gummere (.304) hitting above .300. Gummere ranks fourth nationally in walks, while Landers ranks third in hit by pitch.

Western (5-5, 3-0 MIAA) enters the game, hitting .278 as a team and sports a 4.98 team ERA. The Griffons have two hitting at or above .400 with Conrad McMahon (.410) and Fahd Shakeel (.400). Anthony Castaneda is 2-0 with a 2.25 ERA in three starts and leads the team with 31 strikeouts on the year.

Missouri Southern mourns death of soccer player/psychology major Denine Tahbaz

(From MSSU Lions Athletic News)

The Missouri Southern State University Athletic Department is saddened by the passing of current Lions' soccer player Denine Tahbaz, who passed away today (Feb. 27) after complications from a tumor.

Tahbaz, 22, was a native of Rancho Palos Verdes, Calif., and spent three years on the soccer team at Missouri Southern after transferring from Golden West (Calif.) College. This year, she played in 15 matches with three starts, recording four shots. In her career, she saw action in 32 matches with eight starts.

Tahbaz is the daughter of Michael and Liz Tahbaz and has two younger brothers. She was a geography major at Southern.

Funeral arrangements are pending and will be announced at a later time.

"Our thoughts and prayers go out to Denine's family," said Director of Athletics Jared Bruggeman. "We ask everyone to be thinking of her family, friends and the soccer program during this difficult time.

MSSU men to face Fort Hays State

(From MSSU Lions Athletic News)

The Missouri Southern men's basketball team will take on Fort Hays State Saturday.

Game Information

Teams: (#25/23) Missouri Southern (22-5, 13-4 MIAA) at Fort Hays State (16-10, 10-7 MIAA)
Date: February 28, 2019
Tip-Off: 7:30 PM
Location: Hays, Kan.
Site: Gross Memorial Coliseum
Series Record: FHSU leads 32-21
Coaches: Jeff Boschee (98-50 overall/at MSSU - 5th year). Mark Johnson (343-163 overall/at FHSU)

The Series

Fort Hays holds a 32-21 advantage over the Lions. Prior to the 2007-08 season, all of the games came when both teams were in the CSIC. Hays had won five in a row, before the Lions defeated the Tigers in the first-round of the 2014 NCAA Central Regional. The Tigers have had two separate streaks of five wins in a row. Southern dropped seven straight games from 1982 to 1985. The largest margin of victory for the Lions came on Feb. 3, 1978 when Southern defeated the Tigers by a 19-point margin. The largest margin of victory for the Tigers came in the 1987-88 season when Hays defeated Southern twice by the margins of 26 and 44 points. At home, Southern is 15-8 against the Tigers. The Lions are 4-19 in Hays and are 2-5 in neutral site games.

MIAA Team Stat Leaders

The Lions, as a team, lead the MIAA in three point attempts, defensive rebounds, free throw attempts, free throws made, scoring and total rebounds.

MIAA Individual Stat Leaders

Cam Martin leads the MIAA in field goal percentage, free throw attempts and free throws made. Elyjah Clark leads the MIAA in three point attempts, minutes per game and total minutes.

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

National Ranking

The Lions are ranked No. 25 in the NABC poll this week and 23rd in the D2SID's Poll. In the history of the NABC Poll, the Lions have been ranked 59 times, including 23 consecutive weeks. The team has been No. 1 once (in the 2011 season).

Put-backs R' Us

Kinzer Lambert had eight offensive rebounds against Pittsburg State at home. Of the eight offensive boards, four were turned into put backs by Lambert himself.

Perfection

For just the third time in program history, the Lions went perfect at home during the regular season (13-0). Only the 1969-70 (11-0) and the 1999-2000 (18-0) teams were also perfect at home. The Lions are 54-12 in Jeff Boschee's tenure at home.

Perfection II

The Lions are perfect this season when they do the following: scoring 90 or more points (10-0), out shooting their opponents (18-0), having more assists (16-0) and playing on Tuesday (3-0).

Hard Working ManElyjah Clark leads the MIAA in minutes per game and total minutes.

Corndogs Jackie

Southern is averaging 86 points per game this season and the Lions have topped the century mark five times.

Bevo Francis Award Watchlist

Sophomore Cam Martin has been named to the Small College Basketball Bevo Francis Award Watchlist. The award is for the Division II Player of the Year. Martin was named to the top-100 list and Friday was named as a top-50 player.

Record-Breaking Sniper

Junior Elyjah Clark already has the Missouri Southern single-season record for three pointers with 110. Clark broke the career record against Fort Hays State last weekend and has 274 career three pointers now as a junior. With one season left to play, Clark now can target the MIAA record of 370.

Reachin' A Grand

Elyjah Clark went over 1,000 points in his career with 18 points against Minnesota-Crookston in the Puerto Rico Tournament. He currently has 1,338 in his career and is the 21st person in MSSU history to crack the 1,000 point plateau. Clark has moved into 11th place all-time, passing Taevaunn Prince. Next up is Terry Shumpert at 1,379 points.

Elyjah For Three

Clark has the top-two single-season three-point totals in MSSU history and his 274 threes made in his two-plus year career rank first. His career three-point percentage of .408 is second-best all-time, while he also tied the single-game record for three's made with nine. He has the season and career record for three pointers per game, while also holding the MSSU season and career record for consecutive games with a three (47).

Up Next

The Lions will finish off the regular season with a road game at Nebraska-Kearney at 4 pm.

MSSU women to play at No. 3 Fort Hays State

(From MSSU Lions Athletic Update)

The Missouri Southern women's basketball team (13-14, 5-12 MIAA) hits the road to face off with No. 3 Fort Hays State (25-1, 16-1) tomorrow night at 5:30 pm.

Game Information

Date: Thursday February 28, 2019
Tip-Off: 5:30 pm
Location: Hays, Kan.
Site: Gross Memorial Coliseum
Series Record: FHSU, leads 31-18

Picking Up the Scent: Five Components on Opponents
Fort Hays State

Picked Second with one first-place vote in the MIAA preseason poll

(MIAA 2018-19 Regular Season Champs)
National Rankings (301 schools - Top-20):
1st in turnovers per game (10.6)
2nd in fewest turnovers (274)
4th in scoring margin (23.3)
8th in assist turnover ratio, blocked shots per game, and turnover margin (1.33/5.2/8.31)
9th in block shots (136)
11th in free throws made (425)
12th in scoring defense (54.7)
15th in scoring (78.1)
22nd in free throw percentage (.759)
28th in rebound margin (7.3)
39th in steals per game (9.9)
40th in steals (257)

Return 11 players, including All-MIAA recipients senior forward Tatyana Legette (2nd), senior guard Carly Heim (HM), junior guard Kacey Kennett (HM), and junior forward Lanie Page (HM) with three of them currently averaging double figures in scoring (Legette, Page, & Kennett)
Only loss this season came back on January 16 in a three-point loss to Emporia State on the road and where the team shot 30-percent from the field while Heim went scoreless in 29 minutes of play
The Tigers haven't had a losing season since the beginning of the decade (2010-11) and from that point on have registered eight seasons of 20-plus wins, including 30 games in 2014-15

Welcome to the Club

Chelsey Henry soared over the 1,000 career-point barrier against Illinois-Springfield and has pushed her way safely into the top-10 with 1,268 points (7th) and now is trailing Melissa Grider (1,353) by 85 points for sixth on the MSSU All-Time scoring list with two games to go in the regular season to go before postseason play.

Among the 17% (Top-50 out of 301 teams)

42nd in blocks (109)

Up Next

The Lions wrap up the 2018-19 regular season on the road versus at Nebraska-Kearney for a 2:00 pm contest on Saturday.

Changes made in Missouri Southern softball schedule for this weekend

(From MSSU Lions Athletic News)

Due to pending weather, Missouri Southern head softball has announced the cancelation of games for this Saturday and Sunday as part of the Teri Mathis-Zenner Memorial Tournament, but eight games will be played on Friday.

The Lions (5-4) have moved their two games on campus inside the Pat Lipira Softball Complex where they face William Jewell at noon followed by a showdown with Rockhurst at 2:30 pm this Friday, Mar. 1.

The full schedule of exciting NCAA Division II Central-Region action is below and log onto mssulions.com for more tournament updates.

Schedule
Pat Lipira SB Complex:
MSSU vs. William Jewell at 12:00 pm
MSSU vs. Rockhurst at 2:30 pm

Joplin Sports Complex (Field 3):
Cameron vs. Northwest Missouri State at 12:00 pm
Cameron vs. Missouri Western at 2:30 pm
Cameron vs. Northeastern State at 5:00 pm

Joplin Sports Complex (Field 4):
Northeastern State vs. Washburn at 12:00 pm
William Jewell vs. Washburn at 2:30 pm
Northwest Missouri State vs. Rockhurst at 5:00 pm

MSSU's Abby Atkin named MIAA Co-Pitcher of the Week

(From MSSU Lions Athletic News)

Missouri Southern softball pitcher Abby Atkin has been named MIAA co-pitcher of the Week along with Lindenwood's Madison Corwell released Wednesday afternoon.

Atkin allowed two runs (one earned) on eight hits while striking out ten batters in 8.1 innings pitched toward a 2-0 record in three appearances, including one start.

The Garden City, Missouri native got the lone start of the week in a 6-1 win over the Wayne State College where she limited the Wildcats to one run on five hits in 4.2 innings recorded.

Then in game one against Sioux Falls (S.D.) on Monday, the sophomore followed up with her first save of the season by striking out two batters out of four faced in the seventh to lockdown a 4-1 Lions victory before concluding the day with her second win in two days after throwing 2.2 inning of one-run ball on three hits and registering four strikeouts, including the final three USF batters of game two.

Missouri Southern softball is back in action on Friday, Mar. 1 for a pair of games inside the Pat Lipira Softball Complex beginning at noon against William Jewell followed by a 2:30 pm matchup with Rockhurst.

Crowder College Sports Update

(From Crowder College)

The Roughrider Basketball team won their first game in the Region 16 Tournament vs. State Fair, 58-73.

The win advances them to the semifinal game this Friday, March 1, 6pm at Lincoln University in Jefferson City, MO.

They will play Three Rivers Community College.

The Roughrider Softball team won a double-header yesterday to boost their season record to 12-0.

Weather permitting they will play a double-header at home today, February 27, 1pm vs. Independence Community College.

The Roughrider Baseball team is 9-3 on the season and ranked #9 in NJCAA Division I Baseball (1-22-2019 poll).

They are schedule to play a double-header at Jefferson Community College today, February 27, at noon.

Weather permitting they will play at home on Friday, March 1, 2pm, vs. Hutchinson Community College.

The Roughrider Soccer team is currently in the off-season, but will have scrimmages as follows:
March 30, 2pm @ Oklahoma Wesleyan; April 6 @ Missouri S&T and Williams Woods (time TBA)

April 13, 11am @ Drury University

MSSU men's track to send three athletes to NCAA Indoor Championships

(From MSSU Lions Athletic News)

The Missouri Southern men's track and field team will send three athletes to compete in four events as the NCAA announced the field for the 2019 Indoor Track and Field Championships Tuesday.

The meet will take place next weekend (March 8-9) at Pittsburg State University inside the Plaster Center.

Qualifying for the Lions was Brendan Watkins in the long and triple jump, as well as Adrain Broadus in the triple jump and Gideon Kimutai in the 5k.

Complete live results for the Championships can be found by clicking on the link here (Live Results).

St. Louis Cardinals sign Miles Mikolas to four-year extension

(From the St. Louis Cardinals)

The St. Louis Cardinals announced today that they have signed All-Star pitcher Miles Mikolas to a four-year (2020-23) contract extension. Financial terms of the contract were not disclosed.

"We are extremely pleased to have Miles under contract for the foreseeable future," stated Cardinals' Chairman Bill DeWitt, Jr. "Miles made great contributions to our team as an All-Star last season, and he quickly fit in with his teammates and our fans. We look forward to having Miles serve as a key member of our pitching staff for the next five years."

Mikolas, 30, was recently tabbed as the Cardinals 2019 Opening Day starter. The Jupiter, Fla. native went 18-4 in his initial season with the Redbirds in 2018, co-leading the National League in wins while also posting the league's top winning pct. (.818). His perfect 10-0 mark in road games matched the best in Major League history for a pitcher with 10 or more road wins, joining Hall of Famer Greg Maddux (1995) and Jimmy Key (1994).

"Miles proved that his recent years in Japan were consistent with the projections we had for him upon his return to the Majors, and he took those to an even higher level with an All-Star season in 2018," said Cardinals' President of Baseball Operations John Mozeliak. "This was an opportunity for Miles to train in his backyard here in Jupiter as well as pitch in front of family in St. Louis. We are excited for him to be a part of the Cardinals for four additional years."

After spending the 2015-17 seasons pitching for Yomiuri in the Japanese Central League, Mikolas signed a free-agent contract with the Cardinals in December of 2017, returning to the majors for the first time since 2014 when he made 10 starts for Texas. Mikolas was a combined 31-13 in Japan with a 2.25 ERA in 62 starts for the Yomiuri Giants.

In addition to his top N.L. marks in wins and winning pct. in 2018, Mikolas was also ranked among the Senior Circuit's top performers in ERA (2.83-4th), innings pitched (200.2-6th) and starts (32-9th), and he paced the league in fewest walks/9 IP ratio (1.30), issuing just 29 free passes.

Mikolas was voted by his teammates as the recipient of the 2018 Darryl Kile Award, presented annually by the St. Louis Chapter of the BBWAA to the Cardinals player who best demonstrates the qualities of the late Darryl Kile by being a good teammate, a great friend, a fine father and a humble man.

6-5 Illinois guard signs letter of intent to play for MSSU men's basketball

(From MSSU Lions Athletic News)

Missouri Southern men's basketball coachJeff Boschee has announced the signing of Martin Macenis to a National Letter of Intent to play basketball and attend Southern beginning in the fall of 2019.

Macenis is a 6-5 combo guard from Hickory Hills, Ill. that prepped at Stagg High School for coach Marty Strus. He also lettered in both football and volleyball at Stagg.

This season, Macenis is averaging 13.1 points, 6.2 rebounds and 3.0 assists per game, while shooting 50 percent from the field and he was the MVP of the John McBride Thanksgiving Classic.

As a junior, Macenis averaged 12.6 points, 4.1 rebounds and 3.0 assists per game.

The son of Saulius Macenis and Jolanta Juozapaityte, Martin plans to major in business at Missouri Southern.

"We are excited to add Martin to our 2019 recruiting class," Boschee said. "He is a big guard who has a great all-around game. He has great ability to handle and pass the ball with his size. With those skill sets and his ability to shoot, he will fit in perfectly in our transition system."

MSSU softball sweeps doubleheader from Sioux Falls

(From MSSU Lions Athletic News)

The Missouri Southern softball team closed this week's action with a sweep of the Sioux Falls (S.D.) Cougars by taking the first game 4-1 and following up with a 6-4 comeback victory in game two inside Pat Lipira Softball Complex Monday night.

Game One
Scoreless through two, the Lions (5-4) earned the first run on the board from back-to-back-to-back singles by Elizabeth Windsor, Josie Tofpi, and Erika Lutgen, which allowed Windsor to come home from second on Lutgens single into left field. Junior Makaila Leonhart added to it, ripping one down the left-field line to score Tofpi for a 2-0 lead to close out the third.

USF (5-4) got one back in the top of the fourth, but two innings later freshman Tori Frazier singled to right field to knock in Sidnie Hurst while the Lions tacked on another one later in the inning to push the lead to three toward a 4-1 game-one victory.

Freshman Meredith Iden got the win in her first in the circle for the Lions. She allowed one run on five hits while striking out two in four innings pitched as part of her first start of the season.

Game Two

MSSU recorded the first run again as Tofpi singled up the middle to score Leonhart to take a 1-0 lead. The lead lasted into the fifth as the Cougars sent three runners home on two singles and a walk to go up 3-1 heading into the fifth.

Senior Lexi Ferrari smashed one over the center field fence to get the Lions within one, but the Cougars responded with a run in the top of the sixth to lead 4-2 entering the bottom half of the inning.

Hurst singled to lead off the inning which brought Lutgen to the plate as the tying run. Lutgen got a hold of one after a couple pitches and sent it out of the park to deep left field and knot the game up at 4-4. Tofpi singled in the go-ahead run to put the Lions in front 5-4 while Ashley Caldarella doubled to right center to score Tofpi and go up one more (6-4).

Pitcher Abby Atkin struck out the Cougars lineup 1-2-3 in the top of the seventh to complete the sweep and end the night one game over .500.

Next Up

Southern hosts its annual Teri Mathis-Zenner Memorial Tournament beginning on Friday, Mar. 1 against Rockhurst at 2:00 pm out at the four-plex of fields inside the Bassman Softball Complex on 3301 West First Street. Check back at mssulions.com for more tournament updates.

MSSU's Cam Martin named MIAA CO-Athlete of the Week

(From MSSU Lions Athletic News)

Missouri Southern sophomore Cam Martin has been named the MIAA Men's Basketball Co-Athlete of the Week as announced by the league office today.

Martin, a 6-9 native of Yukon, Okla., shares the award with Central Oklahoma's Adarius Avery and it is the third time he has won the honor this year.

Martin helped the Lions to a pair wins over Pittsburg State and on the road at Emporia State. He averaged 21 points and 12 rebounds this week while shooting 63 percent from the field and 86 percent from the free-throw line.

Martin also averaged 2.0 assists per game. He started the week with a 21-point, 10 rebound performance against Pittsburg State and followed that up with a 21-point, 14 rebound showing at ESU. It is the 16th double-double of the season for Martin.

Martin and the Lions will be back in action this Thursday, traveling to Fort Hays State for a 7:30 pm tip off.

Ryan Hunter two-run double lifts MSSC to 5-4 win over Central Oklahoma

(From MSSU Lions Athletic News)

Edmond, Okla. -- Ryan Hunter smashed an 8th-inning two-run double and the Missouri Southern baseball team took out No. 34 Central Oklahoma 5-4 Saturday night on Wendell Simmons Field.

Southern (9-3, 2-0 MIAA) got a 2-for-3 night from Dan Lenz as he scored a run and added a double. Ryan Hunter went 1-for-2 with a double and two RBIs. Denver Coffee, Freddie Landers, Dexter Swims, Cole McBride and Matt Miller had a hit each. Coffee, Alex Phillips, Swims, McBride and Lenz scored a run each. Gummere and Coffee drove in a run each.

Zac Shoemaker started and went six innings, striking out eight and allowing just three earned runs. Logan VanWey threw two-thirds of an inning, while River Wright went an inning and a third to get the win and move to 1-0 on the season. Cam Bednar threw a scoreless ninth to pick up save No. 3.

The Lions started the scoring as Coffee scored on a passed ball in the first. Coffee thren drove in McBride in the third with a sacrifice fly. UCO (6-4, 0-2 MIAA) picked up a run in the fourth to make the score 2-1, but the Lions answered with an RBI from Gummere, scoring Lenz.

The Bronchos scored three in the seventh to go up 4-3, but the Lions answered with Hunter's two RBI double scoring Swims and Phillips for the go-ahead runs.

The two teams will finish up the series tomorrow afternoon. First pitch is slated for 1 pm.

Emporia State women defeat Missouri Southern 76-56

(From MSSU Lions Athletic News)

Emporia, Kan. - The Missouri Southern women's basketball team pulled to within five at the beginning of the fourth quarter, but the Emporia State Lady Hornets responded on their way to a 76-56 victory inside White Auditorium Saturday evening.

Junior forward Chasidee Owens led the Lions (13-14, 5-12 MIAA) with a game-high 22 points, two shy of matching a career-high, on 10-of-16 from the field. Senior guard Chelsey Henry added 19 points (6-for-13 FG, 6-for-7 FT), six rebounds, three steals, and two assists.

The two teams traded baskets early on at four apiece until the Lions went on an 8-0 spurt (12-4) for approximately three minutes, but ESU (21-6, 12-5 MIAA) stormed back on a 10-0 run to take a two-point lead heading into the second quarter of play.

Henry began the second by launching and converting on the team's first 3-pointer of the game to put the Lions up one (15-14) for its final lead of the game as they went into halftime down ten and found itself down as much as 14 in the third, but battled back to get within five early on the fourth after a 3-pointer by Krista Clark.

The Lions continue their road trip against nationally-ranked Fort Hays State on Thursday, Feb. 28 at 5:30 pm.

MSSU women's track in second place at MIAA Championships

(From MSSU Lions Athletic News)

Maryville, Mo. -- The Missouri Southern women's track and field team is in second place after day two of the 2019 MIAA Indoor Track and Field Championships, hosted by Northwest Missouri State University.

Southern had nine NCAA Provisional Qualifying marks today at the Championships. Jasmine Deckard (60m and 200m), Morgan Smith (60m hurdles), Samantha Petry, Elena Bisotto, Lauren Sutherland, Jordan Banker and Megan Tramel (pole vault) and Kiersten Leisinger (weight throw) all earned NCAA Provisional Qualifying marks.

Deckard qualified for the finals of the 60m dash, as well as the 200m and broke her own school record in the 200m. Smith, Elizabeth Adeoye and Claire Luallen qualified for the finals of the 60m hurdles, while Petry earned All-MIAA honors in the pole vault.

The Lions have 37 points after day two and sit in second place behind Pittsburg State (67 points). Fort Hays State is third, followed by Southwest Baptist, Central Missouri, Lincoln, Nebraska-Kearney, Washburn, Northwest Missouri, Missouri Western, Central Oklahoma and Lindenwood to round out the team scores.

Complete results are listed below. The Lions will be back in action tomorrow with field events beginning at 11:30 am and track events starting at 1 pm.

60m prelims
2. Jasmine Deckard - 7.54
20. Kassidy Owens - 7.92

60m hurdles prelims
3. Morgan Smith - 8.64
5. Elizabeth Adeoye - 8.84
8. Claire Luallen - 8.90
11. Deiajuane Watts - 9.13

200m prelims
3. Jasmine Deckard - 24.13 (new school record)
11. Morgan Smith - 25.29
21. Kassidy Owens - 26.22

400m prelims
9. Elizabeth Adeoye - 58.16

600y prelims
9. Rachel Ray - 1:26.84
16. Ashlynn Vanatter - 1:31.92

800m prelims
9. Janna Hautala - 2:18.39
17. Sara Lin - 2:23.72

5k
6. Ashlee Kuykendall - 17:54.45
9. Julianna Determan - 18:21.04
19. Gabrielle Hill - 19:44.20

High Jump
5. Wynter Nekola - 1.66m

Pole Vault
2. Samantha Petry - 3.97m (All-MIAA)
6. Elena Bisotto - 3.87m
7. Lauren Sutherland - 3.87m
8. Jordan Banker - 3.77m
13. Megan ramel - 3.62m

Weight Throw
5. Kiersten Leisinger - 17.61m
7. Payton Roberts - 16.28m
8. Alexandra Rodriguez - 16.09m

Distance Medley Relay
6. Mady Gepford, Watts, Hautala, Kelie Henderson - 12:38.47

MSSU men's track in first place after second day of MIAA Championships

(From MSSU Lions Athletic News)

Maryville, Mo. -- The Missouri Southern men's track and field team lead the field after day two of the 2019 MIAA Indoor Track and Field Championships hosted by Northwest Missouri State University.

The Lions picked up six NCAA Provisional Qualifying Marks and Gidieon Kimutai was an individual champion on the day. Kimutai won the 5k, while Douglas Depagneux (400m prelims), Adrain Broadus and Brendan Watkins (triple jump) and Josh Fulmer and Travis Petersen (weight throw) all earned Provisional Qualifying Marks. Josh Webb was All-MIAA in the 5k, as well.

Ivan Colbert qualified for the finals in the 60m hurdles, while Depagneux qualified in the 400m dash.

The Lions lead the pack wiht 36 points, one point in front of Central Missouri and two in front of Northwest Missouri. Fort Hays State is fourth, followed by Pittsburg State, Lincoln, Washburn, Lindenwood, Southwest Baptist, Nebraska-Kearney, Emporia State and Missouri Western to round out the team scores.

Complete results are listed below. The Lions will be back in action tomorrow with field events beginning at 11:30 am and track events starting at 1 pm.

60m hurdles prelims
4. Ivan Colbert - 8.39

400m prelims
5. Douglas Depagneux - 48.29

5k
1. Gidieon Kimutai -14:40.57 (All-MIAA)
3. Josh Webb - 14:55.78 (All-MIAA)
6. Nickson Kiptoo - 14:57.35
9. Jared Ozee - 15:13.55
12. Miachel Shanahan - 15:20.04

Triple Jump
4. Adrain Broadus - 15.04m
5. Brendan Watkins - 14.74m

Weight Throw
4. Josh Fulmer - 18.64m
6. Travis Petersen - 17.76m
12. Elijah Smith - 16.29m
19. Trace Henault - 15.10m

Distance Medley Relay
11. Nathan Painter, John Johnson, Blake Gillihan, Tadd Capron - 10:56.13

Walker scores 25 as MSSU men down Emporia State 91-82

(From MSSU Lions Athletic News)

Emporia, Kan. -- The 23rd-ranked Missouri Southern men's basketball team secured a top-four seed in the MIAA Tournament and Braelon Walker tied a career-high with 25 points as the Lions defeated the Hornets 91-82 today inside White Auditorium.

Southern (22-5, 13-4 MIAA) has secured one of the top four seeds in the 2019 MIAA Basketball Tournament in Kansas City, meaning the Lions won't play until the quarterfinals on either Thursday or Friday.

Braelon Walker tied his career high with 25 points (ironically, he had set it previously the last time the Lions played Emporia State). Walker had 21 points at the half on 7-of-11 from the three-point line. He hit seven three-pointers and added three assists and one steal in the game. Cam Martin scored 21 points and added 14 rebounds, going 7-for-11 from the field and 7-for-8 from the free throw line. It is the 16th double-double of the season for Martin. Kinzer Lambert had 13 points and five rebounds, while Elyjah Clark scored 12, pulled down six boards and dished out six assists, while going 3-for-8 from long-range.

ESU (11-15, 6-11 MIAA) had three score in double-figures, led by 17 points from Hassan Thomas and 16 from Kooper Glick.

Walker hit a three for the first points of the game with 18:28 left in the first half, but both teams traded points, before the Lions went on a 5-0 run to lead 15-8 with 12:21 left. Back-to-back 3's from Walker put the Lions up 29-16 with 6:47 on the clock and the lead reached 14 (36-22) after a layup from Martin with four minutes on the clock. Another three from Walker put the Lions up 15 (42-27), and Southern would go into the locker room up 45-32 at the half.

Southern led by 21 (57-36) after a three from Lambert with 15:42 left in the second half and led by 20 (71-51) after a three from Jennings with just under 11 minutes to play. Emporia, however, answered and chipped away at the lead, eventually cutting the Lions' advantage to just six (77-71) after a three from Hassan Thomas with 4:40 on the clock.

The Lions got back up by 11 after a three from Lambert with 2:21 left and Southern made its free throws down the stretch to seal the win.

Southern shot 54 percent from the field, 44 percent from the three-point line and 72 percent from the free throw line. Southern had 24 assists on 32 made baskets and outscored ESU 34-24 in the paint.

The Lions will be back in action on Thursday night as Southern travels to Fort Hays State. Tip off from Fort Hays State is slated for 7:30 pm from Gross Memorial Coliseum.

MSSU to co-host state qualifying archery tournament

(From Southern News Service)

For the third year, the Kinesiology Department at Missouri Southern State University will co-host the Missouri National Archery in the Schools Program’s (MoNASP) State Qualifying Tournament.

The Academy Sports + Outdoors Shootout is set for 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, March 2, in the Leggett & Platt Athletic Center. Between 700-800 fourth- through 12th-grade students are expected to compete in the 11th annual MoNASP event, which is open to participants in the Four State Area.

Archery has become the fastest growing sport in Missouri, and some of the best programs at the national level can be found in Southwest Missouri.

In 2017, five teams from Missouri were ranked in the top 10 – including Sarcoxie, Carl Junction and Carthage. Sarcoxie Middle School was named National Team Champions that year.

In 2018, Carl Junction High School was named 2018 State 3D Champions, while Sarcoxie student Ally Nordell was the 2018 National Tournament Female Champion. Carthage sophomore Trenton Meyer shot a perfect 300 in the bullseye competition – a rare feat, and a first in Missouri.

New this year will be a special recognition for the Academic Archers, the more than 200 participating archers who have maintained a high grade point average.

Trophies, medals, gift cards and other prizes will be awarded. Flights will start at 9 a.m., with new flights starting every hour. Awards will be announced at approximately 5 p.m.

Cost for spectators is $3 at the door; children 12 and under are free.

MSSU men begin road trip at Emporia State

(From MSSU Lions Athletic News)

The Missouri Southern men's basketball team will embark on the first of a three-game road trip to end the regular season as the Lions take on Emporia State on Saturday. Tip off from White Auditorium is slated for 3 pm.

Game Information

Teams: (RV/23) Missouri Southern (21-5, 12-4 MIAA) at Emporia State (11-13, 6-9 MIAA)
Date: February 23, 2019
Tip-Off: 3 PM
Location: Emporia, Kan.
Site: White Auditorium
Series Record: MSSU leads 52-31
Coaches: Jeff Boschee (97-50 overall/at MSSU - 5th year). Craig Doty (60-35 overall/11-13 at ESU - 3rd year)

The Series

Missouri Southern holds a 52-31 advantage in the series with Emporia State. Southern has won 15 of the last 20 and 11 of the last 4. The Lions have a 32-10 record against Emporia in Joplin, and are 19-21 in games played at Emporia. The Lions have won the only neutral site game. The Southern-Emporia series has produced eight overtime games, including two double overtime thrillers. The Lions have won six of the overtime games. Missouri Southern's biggest margin of victory was 43 points, 125-82, on Jan. 19, 2002. Emporia State's biggest victory spread was in 2007, (Jan. 17, 2007) defeating the Lions 105-67 (32 points).

MIAA Team Stat Leaders

The Lions, as a team, lead the MIAA in three point attempts, defensive rebounds, free throw attempts, free throws made, scoring and total rebounds.

MIAA Individual Stat Leaders

Cam Martin leads the MIAA in field goal percentage, free throw attempts and free throws made. Elyjah Clark leads the MIAA in three point attempts, minutes per game and total minutes.

Streak Stopper

Coming into the season Elyjah Clark had made a three pointer in 47-straight games, dating back to his freshman season. Clark, however, missed out on a three in the first game of the year, but has made a three in each game since, taking his current streak to 25.

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

Put-backs R' Us

Kinzer Lambert had eight offensive rebounds against Pittsburg State at home. Of the eight offensive boards, four were turned into put backs by Lambert himself.

Perfection

For just the third time in program history, the Lions went perfect at home during the regular season (13-0). Only the 1969-70 (11-0) and the 1999-2000 (18-0) teams were also perfect at home. The Lions are 54-12 in Jeff Boschee's tenure at home.

Perfection II

The Lions are perfect this season when they do the following: scoring 90 or more points (9-0), out shooting their opponents (17-0), having more assists (15-0) and playing on Tuesday (3-0).

Hard Working Man

Elyjah Clark leads the MIAA in minutes per game and total minutes.

Corndogs Jackie

Southern is averaging 86 points per game this season and the Lions have topped the century mark five times.

Bevo Francis Award Watchlist

Sophomore Cam Martin has been named to the Small College Basketball Bevo Francis Award Watchlist. The award is for the Division II Player of the Year. Martin was named to the top-100 list and Friday was named as a top-50 player.

Record-Breaking Sniper

Junior Elyjah Clark already has the Missouri Southern single-season record for three pointers with 110. Clark broke the career record against Fort Hays State last weekend and has 271 career three pointers now as a junior. With one season left to play, Clark now can target the MIAA record of 370.

Reachin' A Grand

Elyjah Clark went over 1,000 points in his career with 18 points against Minnesota-Crookston in the Puerto Rico Tournament. He currently has 1,326 in his career and is the 21st person in MSSU history to crack the 1,000 point plateau. Clark has moved into 11th place all-time, passing Taevaunn Prince. Next up is Terry Shumpert at 1,379 points.

Elyjah For Three

Clark has the top-two single-season three-point totals in MSSU history and his 271 threes made in his two-plus year career rank first. His career three-point percentage of .408 is second-best all-time, while he also tied the single-game record for three's made with nine. He has the season and career record for three pointers per game, while also holding the MSSU season and career record for consecutive games with a three (47).

Up Next

The Lions will finish off the regular season with road games at Nebraska-Kearney and Fort Hays State next week.

Parish strikes out 14 as MSSU baseball defeats Central Oklahoma 7-1

(From MSSU Lions Athletic News)

Edmond, Okla. -- Zach Parish struck out 14 and the Missouri Southern baseball team scored seven unanswered runs, helping the Lions to a 7-1 win at No. 34 ranked Central Oklahoma today on Wendell Simmons Field.

The Lions (8-3, 1-0 MIAA) scored three runs in the second, one in the fourth, two in the sixth and one more in the seventh to cruise to the win.

Parish allowed a single run in the first, but struck out 14, en route to his second win of the season (2-0). He scattered five hits and walked just one. Cam Bednar through the final two outs, striking out both batters he faced.

Matt Miller went 2-for-3 with two RBIs and three runs scored as he added his first collegiate home run. Dexter Swims had three hits, an RBI and a run, also adding a double and a stolen base. Alex Phillips had two hits, including a triple and an RBI, while Davin Gummere drove in two and scored a run. Mike Million and Ryan Hunter scored a run each.

After UCO (6-3, 0-1) scored a run in the top of the first, the Lions answered with three runs in the second. Swims doubled home Hunter, before Miller scored on an RBI from Gummere. Swims then scored on a passed ball to put the Lions up 3-1 after two.

Miller homered in the fourth to make the score 4-1, then drove in Million in the sixth for the first run of the inning. Gummere then added an RBI groundout in the inning to put the Lions up 6-1, scoring Miller in the process.

The Lions added a single run in the ninth when Phillips tripled to center, scoring Gummere.

The two teams will be back at it tomorrow, but the start time has been pushed back already due to forecasted rain. First pitch is now slated to be at 7 pm.

MSSU women on the road Saturday against Emporia State

(From MSSU Lions Athletic News)

The Missouri Southern women's basketball team (13-13, 5-11 MIAA) closes out the regular season on a three-game road trip that begins tomorrow at 5:00 pm against the Emporia State Lady Hornets (20-6, 11-5 MIAA).

Game Information

Date: Saturday February 23, 2019
Tip-Off: 5:00 pm
Location: Emporia, Kan.
Site: White Auditorium
Series Record: ESU, leads 55-25

Picking Up the Scent: Five Components on Opponents
Emporia State
Picked Third in the MIAA preseason poll
National Rankings (301 schools - Top-50):
12th in blocked shots (122)
15th in block shots per game (4.9)
18th in steals (265)
20th in three-point field goals per game (8.5)
21st in three-point field goals made (213)
23rd in steals per game (10.6)
33rd in three-point field goal percentage (.357)
34th in three-point field goals attempted (597)
42nd in personal fouls per game (15.6)
45th in scoring margin (11.3)
47th in scoring offense (73.6)

Return ten total players, including both All-MIAA recipients in senior forward Tyra Jones (3rd) and junior guard Jessica Wayne (Defensive). Wayne currently ranks sixth in the nation in steals (58) and ninth in steals per game (3.22)

Head coach Toby Wynn spent 13 seasons at the helm of Seward Community College in Liberal, Kansas where he led the Lady Saints to four Jayhawk Conference regular season championships and two Region VI Tournament titles, checking out with a 349-84 record (four 30-win seasons)
Are 4-1 against the WBCA Top 25 with wins over Southwestern Oklahoma State (20), Fort Hays State (9), Pittsburg State (23), and Central Missouri (24)

Welcome to the Club

Chelsey Henry soared over the 1,000 career-point barrier against Illinois-Springfield and has pushed her way safely into the top-10 with 1,249 points (8th) on the MSSU All-Time scoring list while being seven points from Patti (Killian) Coleman (1,256) for seventh with three games in the regular season to go before postseason play.

Up Next

The Lions travel for a MIAA tilt with nationally ranked Fort Hayes State on Thursday, Feb. 28 at 5:30 pm before playing the final game of the regular season at Nebraska-Kearney on Saturday. Mar. 2 at 2:00 pm.

MSSU freshman Luallen picks up All-MIAA Honors at Indoor Track and Field Championships

(From MSSU Lions Athletic News)

Maryville, Mo. -- Missouri Southern freshman Claire Luallen picked up All-MIAA honors and six points for the women's track and field team as the Lions competed in day one the 2019 MIAA Indoor Track and Field Championships.

Luallen placed third in the Pentathlon, scoring an NCAA Provisional Qualifying mark of 3,651 points, just 15 points off of the Missouri Southern school record. Miracle Grant was 14th with 3,056 points.

Luallen started the day with a second-place finish in the 60m hurdles finishing in a time of 8.74. She was then fourth in the high jump, clearing 1.6m and also won the long jump with a mark of 5.77m.

The Lions picked up six points in the event and sit in third place after day one. Southern will begin day two tomorrow with field events starting at 1:30 pm.

MSSU men's, women's track to compete in MIAA Championships

(From MSSU Lions Athletic News)

The Missouri Southern men's and women's track and field programs will be in action this weekend as the Lions will compete in the 2019 MIAA Indoor Track and Field Championships, hosted by Northwest Missouri State University.

The 9th-ranked women and the 33rd-ranked men will be competing beginning on Friday with the meet concluding on Sunday. Combined events begin at 2 pm on Friday and conclude for the men starting at 11:30 am on Saturday. Field events begin at 1:30 pm on Saturday with prelims for the track events beginning at 2 pm. Finals begin on Sunday at 1 pm.

The Southern women come into the event as the top-ranked women's program in the MIAA. The Lions have 18 individual performances right now that, according to the MIAA performance lists, will earn them points. The women are strong in the sprints with Jasmine Deckard ranked 2nd and 4th, respectively in the 60m and 200m dash. Morgan Smith is ranked 2nd in the 60m hurdles, while Claire Luallen and Elizabeth Adeoye are ranked 5th and 6th.

The pole vault is another event where the Lions could pick up points where Samantha Petry (2nd), Elena Bisotto (5th) and Jordan Banker (8th) are all ranked in points position with Lauren Sutherland sitting just outside at 11th. The shot put has Desirea Buerge and Payton Roberts sitting at 1st and 2nd as they are the only two individuals in the MIAA to pick up NCAA Automatic Qualifying marks in the event.

Other events where the women should pick up points could be the 5k where Ashlee Kuykendall and Julianna Detterman are ranked 4th and 8th, respectively. Wynter Nekoa is ranked 5th in the high jump, while the 4x400m relay team is ranked 4th. Kirsten Leisinger and Alexandra Rodriguez are ranked 4th and 7th in the weight throw, while Luallen is ranked 5th in the pentathlon. 

The Southern men come in with 19 possible point individuals according to the performance list. The distance races could earn the Lions some big points as Gidieon Kimutai and Kevin Koester come in ranked 3rd and 4th in the 3k, while Kimutai (3rd), Josh Webb (6th) and Nickson Kiptoo (8th) could all earn points for the Lions in the 5k. Michael Shanahan and Jared Ozee sit just outside the top eight. Tadd Capron and Nathan Painter rank 6th and 8th in the mile, while the DMR team ranks 2nd.

Brendan Watkins is 3rd in the long jump and 5th in the triple jump, while Adrain Broadus is 4th in the triple jump. Rajindra Campbell is ranked 6th in the shot put, while Travis Petersen and Josh Fulmer rank 3rd and 5th, respectively in the weight throw.

Andrew Wells ranks 5th in the high jump, while Dean Howard ranks 8th in the long jump. Douglas Depagneu ranks 6th in the 400m, while Jon Johnson ranks 3rd in the 600 yard.