Entering tomorrow night’s conference finale with Missouri Western, head coach Robert Corn and his Missouri Southern Lions know the game has more than just a mark on the record riding on it.

“The Western game is a must win game,” he said. “It’s basically a playoff game.”

Entering the final week of the season, the Lions are holding down ninth in the conference. Losses by Western and Fort Hays during the final week would help Southern scratch their way into the MIAA tournament, however they would have to do their part as well.

“We have to win a couple of games,” Corn said. “If we do, we give ourselves a chance to keep playing. If we don’t, then we have to rely on others to give us a chance to keep playing.”

Missouri Western has three guards which have been averaging double figures this season. Seniors J.R. Reed and Rickey Quarrels are averaging 16.7 and 10.6 points per game respectively, while junior Joe Manthe is averaging 14 ppg.

“They have the capability to shoot the three-point shot well,” Corn said. “We can’t afford to have someone come in and get double digit threes on us. Our defense is going to be challenged because of Western’s athleticism.”

Finishing up the road portion of the schedule last weekend, The Lions fell to Northwest Missouri 75-60. Deonte Cox led the Lions with 20 points, including making 12 of his 15 free throw attempts. Tyler Ryerson contributed 15 points as well. As a team, Southern shot 40.5 percent from the floor.

“We just didn’t get the job done,” Corn said. “Any road game is difficult when you get behind double digits.”

Wednesday night, the Lions hosted Pittsburg State in the second installment of the Del Rio Bordertown battle.

The first outing between the two went in the favor of the Gorillas, 84-71. Pitt State, who has already clinched a post season tournament bid, has a dangerous trio in senior forward Ed Morris, who is averaging 14 points a game, leads the MIAA in field goal percentage, and ranks in the top ten in rebounding and scoring.

Junior center Cory Abercrombie is averaging 14 ppg as well, and also is in the top 10 in scoring and field goal percentage. Sophomore guard Carlos Taylor missed nine games this season with a foot injury, but is currently averaging 10 ppg.

This time, the game was much closer but the Lions still fell to the Gorillas 72-67. Junior guard Stanley Titsworth led all scorers with 21 in a losing effort. The Gorillas owned an 11-point halftime lead and never looked back. Morris led Pittsburg State with 17 points and six rebounds.

The loss puts the Lions into an absolute win or go home situation tomorrow when they host Missouri Western. Earlier this season the Griffons defeated the Lions 84-71 Manthe with 16, and Kenny Oliver with 15. Oliver was 4-5 from behind the arc. In that meeting freshman guard Daniel Hurst scored 15 off the bench and Titsworth matched that total to pace the Lions.