Lions stay perfect at home; Clark breaks record

The Missouri Southern Lions continued their perfect record at home this season winning both games against the University of Nebraska-Kearney and Fort Hays State University.

The Lions first matchup last week against UNK had three Lions going double-double games including junior Kinzer Lambert, junior Elyjah Clark, and senior Enis Memic.

The Lions leading scorer was Lambert who had 20 points on the night while shooting 33 percent from behind the three-point line and nearly 68 percent altogether.

Memic started against UNK due to an injury on sophomore Cam Martin.

In 35 minutes of action Memic was able to score 19 points, the second most points between both teams, while leading both teams in rebounds with 15.

The Lions as a team shot about 39 percent on the night while allowing UNK to shoot about 43 percent, but due to the Lions 22-second chance points off 16 offensive rebounds, the Lions were able to secure a 72-67 win.

Vs. Fort Hays State

The Lions then hosted Fort Hays State University, where they continued their home winning streak to 12 in a game that included broken records.

Clark hit four of his seen three pointers which gave him 267-threes passing Austin Wright for all time three pointers.

Clark was also the Lions leading scorer in the win as he scored 22 points while shooting nearly 70 percent.

Martin made his return as he scored 19 points and brought down nine rebounds and seven assists. Martin’s seven assists were his highest assist total in any game this season.

The Lions shot nearly 48 percent while being able to hold Fort Hays to 35 percent. Memic had a double digit scoring night as he got 10 points off the bench in 28 minutes of action.

The Lions will face the Pittsburg State University Gorillas on Saturday, Feb. 16, in Pittsburg. They will then host the Gorillas at home, at the Leggett and Platt Athletic Center on Tuesday, Feb. 19.

The Gorillas have lost five in a row including to Nebraska-Keaney and Fort Hays by a total of two points each.

“We’re just focused on one game at a time,” said Head Coach Jeff Boschee. “It’s the most important game because it’s the next game. It really doesn’t matter that its rivalry.”

The Gorillas top scorer so this season is senior Grant Lozoya who averages 23.6 points per game while shooting 49 percent on the court. The Gorillas are scoring about 84 points per game while allowing about 79.

The Lions are scoring about 85 points per game and only allowing their opponents to score about 75 points per game.

Both teams will be trying to improve their standing going into the postseason as the Lions are currently third while the Gorillas are sixth.

If You Go

In Joplin, the Lions will host the Gorillas at 7:30 p.m., Tuesday, Feb. 19, at the Leggett & Platt Athletic Center.