Three seniors played their last regular season game for the Lions Feb. 26.

Caleb Engelken and Orestus Cavness, both forwards, and Hiram Ocasio, guard, finished their careers at Missouri Southern.

Head men’s basketball coach Robert Corn said all three seniors played a great game, helping the Lions defeat the Missouri Western State College Griffons, 83-69.

Missouri Southern started the game slow, but keeping the score to within five points.

The first half saw seven lead changes and a halftime score of 41-36, in favor of the Griffons.

In the second half, the Lions came alive. They took the lead just more than two minutes into the second half with a three-pointer by Engelken. Southern held the lead for the remainder of the game.

Cavness lead the Lions in points with 24, rebounds with 12 and free throws making 7 out of 13. He also led the team with four blocks.

Engelken and Quentin Edwards, junior guard, both netted 14 points for the Lions. Engelken scored 4 of the Lions’ five three-pointers.

Corn said the fans at both the men’s final two home games contributed to their victories.

“I thought it was a tremendous collegiate experience for a lot of people,” he said. “I think that there’s no doubt our students and our pep band and everybody made it a really positive experience.”

Southern finished the regular season with an overall record of 12-17, and 8-10 in the MIAA.

The Lions will face down the Gorillas from Pittsburg State University 8:30 p.m. Friday in the MIAA Postseason Tournament at Municipal Auditorium in Kansas City.