MSSU women fall to Pittsburg State 83-74

(From MSSU Lions Athletic News)

PITTSBURG, Kan.-The Missouri Southern State University Lions were unable to overcome a 36-of-41 (87.8 percent) attack from the free throw line by the Pittsburg State University Gorillas on Saturday here at John Lance Arena. The Gorillas, who were trailing entering the fourth quarter, defeated MSSU 83-74.

Southern fell to 5-12 overall and 2-7 in the Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletic Association (MIAA). Meanwhile Pitt State improved to 10-7 overall and 6-3 in the league.

Zoe Campbell was a force on both ends of the court as she finished the game by going 5-of-12 from the field and 5-of-6 from the free throw line for 15 points and 15 rebounds, eight offensive and seven defensive. Campbell, who had her third double-double of the season, was one rebound off tying her career and season-high mark of 16.

Destiny Cozart connected on 5-of-15 from the field, including 3-of-8 from beyond the arch, and 3-of-5 from the free throw line to lead all Lion players with 16 points. Chasidee Owens also had double-digit points with 13 on the day.

Despite being in the game after trading baskets early, the Gorillas went on a 6-0 run to make the score 8-2 before Head Coach Ronnie Ressell called a timeout. As the quarter continued, the Lions showed tenacity as they finished it on a 7-0 run to trail 19-13. In the quarter, Southern shot 33.3 percent (6-of-18) from the field.

In the second quarter, both teams battled with PSU outscoring Southern 20-18 and extending the lead to 39-31. They were down by a bigger margin but two late treys by the Lions cut the lead to single digits.

Amber Buch started the second half off with a three pointer off a feed by Campbell to cut the lead to just five. A three-pointer by Cozart cut the lead to just two points, 41-39. By holding Pitt State scoreless for more than three and a half minutes, MSSU capitalized with a 9-0 run and took a two-point lead 43-41 with six minutes remaining.

MSSU did not back off as they increase despite hitting 1-of-3 from the free throw line on two straight possessions. Campbell then took control as he made two straight buckets to put her over the double-double plateau. The Lions led 58-55 after the quarter.

The fourth quarter turned into a free throw shooting contest early and unfortunately for the Lions, Pitt State was nearly perfect from the line as they hit 17-of-19. Four Lions entered the quarter with four fouls with two of them being disqualified.

The Lions return home on Thursday (Jan. 29) to take on Northeastern State with tip-off scheduled for 5:30 p.m. before hosting Rogers State (Okla.) on Saturday (Feb. 1) with tip-off slated for 1:30.

Clutch free throws lift Missouri Southern men to 79-72 win over PSU

(From MSSU Lions Athletic News)

Pittsburg, Kan. - The 15th ranked Missouri Southern men's basketball team got a big game from Cam Martin and made clutch free throws down the stretch as the Lions defeated Pittsburg State inside John Lance Arena 79-72 today to complete the season sweep against the Gorillas.

Southern (15-3, 8-1 MIAA) was led by Martin's 37 points as he went 16-of-26 from the field and added 13 rebounds, two assists and two blocks. Reggie Tharp had 14 points, six rebounds and five assists, while Braelon Walker scored 13, going 3-of-5 from the field, 3-of-3 from long-range and 4-of-4 from the free throw line. Kinzer Lambert scored 12 points and added six rebounds and four assists.

Pitt (7-11, 3-6 MIAA) was led by 27 points from AJ Walker as for Gorillas scored in double-figures.

The Lions opened the game on a 5-0 run and led 10-4 after a three from Martin with 16:13 left in the half. The lead was ten (14-4) after a putback from Lambert with 13:33 to go, but Pitt fought back and climbed within three (15-12) with nine minutes to go in the half.

A pair of freebies from Lambert with 7:43 left pushed the Southern lead to 22-14, while a three from Walker with 5:24 to go gave the Lions a 29-20 advantage. Another three from Walker, this time with 4:27 to go pushed the lead back to ten (32-22). PSU got within five (32-27), but a three-point play from Martin with three minutes to go got the lead back to eight and the Lions led 37-32 at the break.

A three from Tharp with 18:56 left in the 2nd half put the Lions up 40-34, while a dunk from Martin made the score 42-35 with 18:16 left. A layup from Martin with 15:49 left gave the Lions a 46-40 lead, while a three from Walker with 14:25 left pushed the lead to seven at 49-42.

A three from the Gorillas with 12:20 left in the half, moved Pitt within four (51-47), but a freebie from Martin made the score 52-47 with 11:45 left. A three from Pitt's Walker with just under ten to go made the score 52-50, while a layup from Martin with just more than nine minutes left gave Martin 30 points and the Lions led 54-50.

PSU briefly took a 57-56 lead, but a dunk from Lambert with 7:35 and a layup from Martin with just under seven to go gave the Lions a 60-57 lead. A turnaround jumper from Martin with 5:59 left pushed the lead to five (62-57) and three free throws from Lambert with 5:16 on the clock made the score 65-57.

A huge three from Lambert with 2:58 on the clock put the Lions up 11 (71-60), while a three point play from Martin with 2:21 left put Southern up 74-62. The Gorillas made it close late, but clutch free throws from the Lions down the stretch sealed the win. Southern was 11-of-13 from the free throw line in the final five minutes of the game.

Southern shot 48 percent from the field and 75 percent from the free throw line. The Lions out rebounded the Gorillas 42-26, including a 13-7 advantage on the offensive boards.

The Lions will be back in action this Wednesday as Southern plays host to Northeastern State. Tip off from Robert Corn Court inside the Leggett & Platt Athletic Center is slated for 7:30 pm.

MSSU men to battle Pitt State

(From MSSU Lions Athletic News)

The 15th-ranked Missouri Southern men's basketball team will be back in action tomorrow when the Lions head to Pittsburg to take on the Gorillas. Tip off from John Lance Arena is slated for 3:30 pm.

Game Information

Teams: #15 Missouri Southern (14-3, 7-1 MIAA) at Pittsburg State (7-10, 3-5 MIAA)

Date: Jan. 25, 2020
Tip-Off: 3:30 pm
Location: Pittsburg, Kan.
Site: John Lance Arena
Series Record: Southern leads 58-47
Coaches: Jeff Boschee (115-56 overall/at MSSU - 6th year). Kim Anderson (342-198 overall/41-36 at PSU)

The Series

This will be the 106th meeting all-time between the two schools. The Lions lead 58-47 in the all-time series with 28 wins in their last 44 tries, including eight of the last nine vs. the Gorillas.

The Lions are 38-13 at home all-time vs. the Gorillas with wins in 15 of the last 18 home meetings. Southern is 18-31 at Pittsburg. Nineteen of the last 36 games between the two border rivals have been decided by seven points or less. The 105 games played between the two schools is the most played between any two schools in MSSU history.

Up Next

Southern be back inside the friendly confines of the Leggett & Platt Athletic Center as the Lions will play host to Northeastern State on Wednesday. Tip off is slated for 7:30 pm.