MSSU men suffer first loss, dropping 76-68 decision to Lincoln

(From MSSU Lions Athletic News)

The 21st ranked Missouri Southern men's basketball team fell in an early hole and couldn't climb out as the Lions dropped a 76-68 decision at Lincoln today inside Jason Gymnasium.

Southern (3-1, 3-1 MIAA) was led in scoring by Stan Scott as the senior scored 16 points and added 11 rebounds in 30 minutes off the bench. Cam Martin added 13 points and eight boards, while Christian Bundy and Winston Dessesow scored 11 points each.

Lincoln (2-0, 2-0 MIAA) had four score in double-figures, led by 17 points from Sai Witt.

The Blue Tigers jumped out to an 11-3 lead and led 17-6 after a three with 14:16 to go in the first half. The Lincoln lead was 14 (22-8) with 10:24 on the clock when the Lions started to get hot from the field.

A layup from Yagizhan Selcuk cut the lead to five (27-22) with 5:41 to go and a pair of free throws from Scott made the deficit three (27-24) with just under three on the clock. A layup from RJ Smith the next trip down made the score 27-26 and despite a late Lincoln three, the Lions closed the first half on a 20-11 run to trail 33-28 at the break.

A three from Kyle Younge three minutes into the second half got the Lions within three (41-38), but Lincoln went on a 15-5 run to lead 56-43 with 11:29 to go. The Blue Tiger lead was 15 (62-47) with eight minutes to go, but the Lions went on a 15-4 run of their own to get within five (67-62) after a three-point play from Martin with 3:21 to go.

That would be as close as the Lions would get, however, as Lincoln kept its foot on the gas and went 4-of-5 down the stretch from the free-throw line.

The Lions out rebounded the Blue Tigers 47-37, including 15-8 on the offensive boards.

Southern will be back in action on December 3 when the Lions come home to play host to Northeastern State at 7:30 pm inside the Leggett & Platt Athletic Center.

McDonald County golfer among three recruited by MSSU women's team

(From MSSU Lions Athletic News)

Missouri Southern head golf coach Mike Wheeler has announced three additions to the women's golf team for the 2021-22 season.

Among the signings, the group includes one international student-athlete, as well as one from Illinois and another local signee.

Lily Allman is a native of Anderson, Missouri and prepped at McDonald County High School for coach Darryl Harbaugh. Allman capped her career with a third-place finish at this year's Missouri Class 3 State Tournament, held in Joplin at Twin Hills Golf and Country Club.

Allman was an All-State selection as a senior, as well as being named a three-time All-District selection and a three-time All-Conference pick. She was a three-time qualifier for the state tournament. She was a two-time District Champion and won four of the eight tournaments she played in as a senior.

The daughter of Mark and Julie Allman, Lily plans to major in education at Southern.

Faith Davis is a native of Sherman, Illinois where she prepped at Williamsville High School for coaches Darcy O'Connor and Mike Brennan. A four-year first-bagger for her high school team, Davis was a three-time State qualifier and had three top-25 finishes at the State Tournament.

She was a Central Region Best of Preps Small School Golfer of the Year, a four-year captain and led WHS to its first State Championship appearance in ten years in 2018.

The daughter of Jeff and Theresa Davis, Faith plans to major in psychology at Southern.

Aida Nunez Garcia comes to Southern from Asturias, Spain where she prepped at IES Universidad Laboral Gijon. A highly-touted amateur player in Spain, Garcia was a member of the Asturias Golf Federation Team in the Championship of Spain 18 and under group.

Garcia had multiple top-three finishes in 2018 and 2019, including four wins.

The daughter of Ignacio Nunez Rodriguez and Patricia Garcia Zapico, Aida plans to major in industrial engineering technology at Southern.

"First of all, I give Coach Derek Skaggs a great deal of credit for this recruiting class, Wheeler said. "Recruiting ladies golf is highly-competitive and requires a huge time investment. I thank him for his diligence in recruiting these three fine incomers. 

"Aida Nunez is from north of Spain. She has a powerful and fluid swing that many would like to have. She scores in the mid 70's and I am looking forward to her arrival in the fall. 

"Faith Davis is another powerful driver of the golf ball. Her scores are in the mid 70's, as well, and she will definitely help us to the next level to achieve our conference goals. 

"Lily Allman has to be one of the hardest-working high school golfers I have seen. She was good when we she came for a try out in spring of 2020, but over the summer and in high school play this fall, she has become a superior player. Adding these three to the current roster, which is really good, makes us all want to get back on the golf course."

MSSU golf signs two recruits, including Joplin High School's Fielding Campbell

(From MSSU Lions Athletic News)

Missouri Southern golf coach Mike Wheeler has announced the addition of two men for the 2021-22 season.

Joining the Lions are Fielding Campbell of Joplin High School and Alex Page from Karlstad, Sweden.

Campbell is a 5-10 native of Joplin that lettered four years at the number one position for coach Jack Pace and the Eagles. He was also a three-year letter winner in both basketball and baseball.

A two-time first-team All-Conference pick in golf, he lost last season due to Covid. As a freshman, Campbell was an All-District pick and a State Qualifier and as a sophomore, Campbell was a District Medalist and once again a State Qualifier. He has multiple SMJGA wins, including earning the Springfield City Junior Champion in 2019.

Campbell qualified as a member of the Junior Horton Smith Team as a freshman, sophomore and a junior and helped to lead Joplin to a Conference and a District Championship as a sophomore.

The son of Brandon and Lissa Campbell, Fielding plans to major in accounting at Southern.

Alex Page hails from Karlstad Sweden where he prepped at Alvkullegymnasiet. Page was a member of golf and hockey teams where he was a left back on the ice and a member of the Junior Swedish Masters Team Championship.

Page is the son of Lloyd and Charlotta Page and plans to major in biology at Southern.

"Fielding Campbell is a very talented athlete that has chosen golf to put his full passion for competition into," Wheeler said. 

"Having lost his junior season to Covid, He has been working and shooting some very good scores at Twin Hills. It will be exciting to watch him finish his senior year in the spring. 

"Alexander Page is a super ball striker and a really great kid. I have enjoyed getting to know him and his parents through the recruiting process and look forward to having him on campus in the fall."