|
|
Published January 03, 2009 12:59 am -
Lions, Gorillas clash at MSSU
Men’s teams end week of contrasting games
By Jim Henry
jhenry@joplinglobe.com
Coming off Christmas break, there’s been nothing in common between Missouri Southern and Pittsburg State’s two basketball games this week.
The No. 10-ranked Lions have found themselves on the opposite side of two blowouts, losing 105-65 at Southwest Baptist before winning 81-58 at home over Missouri Western.
The Gorillas, meanwhile, lost a game they should have won, then won a game they should have lost. PSU saw a five-point lead disappear in the last 23 seconds of regulation before losing 79-72 in overtime at Central Missouri on Monday night. Two days later, the Gorillas overcame a 14-point, second-half deficit to nip visiting Northwest Missouri State 63-61.
“They’ve been in two games were every possession in the last few minutes was crucial,” Missouri Southern head coach Robert Corn said. “In our games the last few minutes didn’t mean a lot other than determining the final score.”
“It’s pretty tough to set a school record in rebounding (59) and a school record in offensive rebounds (28) in the same game and lose it, but we managed to do it,” Gorillas head coach Gene Iba said. “We had 27 turnovers and shot 47 percent from the free-throw line and still should have won the game.
“We played well for about five minutes in the Northwest game. It was the right five minutes. We got a few breaks. We did several things late that helped us. We got a steal when we needed it, and we shot some shots in we had to have. I’ve been involved in games with unusual finishes before but not in back-to-back games.”
Tonight’s game marks the third straight time the Lion defense faces one of the MIAA’s top scorers. PSU senior guard Carlos Taylor tallied 29 points against Central Missouri and 19 against Northwest Missouri — including the go-ahead 3-pointer in the final minute — to raise his season average to 17.1.
“Carlos is acting like a senior,” Iba said. “There’s a lot more urgency in his game now. He never comes into the game not prepared and not mentally prepared to play. That’s something a lot of players don’t do.”
“Carlos and Spencer (Magana) are having really good years,” Corn said. “Those guys are averaging over 30 together, but both of them are capable of having 30 on any given night individually. Their guards are very good.”
The Gorillas are also strong on the boards, outrebounding their opponents by 5.5 per game. In Monday’s school-record effort at Central Missouri, three players logged double-figure rebounds — T.J. Stukes with 16, Ivan Evans with 12 and Taylor with 10.
“We have to match their physical play on the inside,” Corn said. “Gene’s teams have always been well-coached on the defensive end, and teams are shooting less than 40 percent against them this year.
“They are on the verge of becoming a very good basketball team in my opinion. They had so many new players this year, it’s taken them time to find their identity, and I feel they are starting to find it.”
The Lions followed their worst game of the season with their best, hitting 53 percent from the floor while holding Missouri Western to 35 percent.
•
Click to discuss this story with other readers on our forums.
|
|
: Special Offer For New Subscribers
:
|
 |
|
TRUCK MECHANIC
needed for Waste Corporation of Joplin. Competitive pay and benefits package. Requires candidate to own hand tools...>MORE
TEAMS NEEDED
SIGN-ON BONUS $3000 Benefits and West Coast $$ Scheduled Raises $$ HIGH MILES WEEKLY 72hrs...>MORE
OLIVE GARDEN
Now accepting applications Line Cooks, Dishwashers, and Lunch Servers Interviewing 2-4 p.m. Monday through Fr...>MORE
LIFEGUARDS
All shifts available, Apply in person at either Joplin Family Y location. www.joplinfamilyy.org....>MORE
GREAT BUSINESS OPPORTUNITY
Located on US Business. 60 7 acres with 3 BR house on Hickory Creek 3 buildings with 20 10 x 15 units each ...>MORE
LOCAL DRILLING COMPANY
needs a rock driller. Must have experience in hydraulics. Company vehicle provided. (417)662-7267...>MORE
DELIVERY DRIVER
We have a full time position open for a delivery driver. Position consists of working part time in the warehouse in addi...>MORE
PCA 'S AND CNA'S
PCAs and CNAs In Joplin and surrounding areas. Call 417-206-7878....>MORE
UP IN FLAMES
WOOD FIRE PIZZA AND PASTA now hiring MANAGERS, SERVERS, BARTENDER Apply 1612 S. Madison, Webb City, behind Subway...>MORE
REVETER WANTED
EXPERIENCED for brake manufacturing. Please apply in person at 3215 E. 20th, Joplin, MO. ...>MORE
See all ads |
|
FORD 2000 1 TON
Ford, 2000 1 ton, 4X4, 6 speed, duals, flatbed, 7.3 diesel, $6800; 1998 Bucket truck, 55’ Altec. 417-358-8636, 483-9700....>MORE
1990 GMC HIGH SIERRA
short wide bed, 2 wheel drive, V-8, power windows/locks, air, CD, tinted windows, chrome wheels. $2,000 or best offer. (...>MORE
MAZDA, 2000
B3000, 4x2, V6, automatic, high miles, $2150. (417)843-2613....>MORE
1979 CHEVROLET CORVETTE
350 automatic, $5000 or trade consider. (620)230-0459...>MORE
CHEVROLET 1997 TAHOE
CHEVROLET, 1997 TAHOE LT, 4X4, Maroon, air, excellent condition, leather seats, power everything, $2500 or best offer Pl...>MORE
NEED 2 DRIVERS
with 3 years plus $ miles with turn arounds back to Joplin, MO. Home often. 417-325-7320....>MORE
1957 CHEVROLET
2 door post, project, rust free Texas car, no motor or transmission, good Missouri title, $7500. Bob 417-781-1932 ...>MORE
1932 FORD
5 window, coupe, glass body rolling chassis, torch thrust, 2 wheels, etc, $18,000. (417)781-1932, or 417-437-9942...>MORE
GMC, 2006
2500 4x4, regular cab/bed, 133,000 miles, $9850. (417)214-0022....>MORE
2005 HONDA SHADOW VLX 600
2,000 miles, color white, $3950. (417)673-3860....>MORE
See all ads |
|
HANDYMAN SPECIAL
Handyman Special, only $500 down, owner financing, 11% interest, $345/ month, priced at $23,900. 1120 W. 12th Street (41...>MORE
OPEN HOUSE
OPEN HOUSE 7/5/09 1:00-4:00 2281 sq. ft. Updated kitchen 4 br + bonus room 2 living areas Metal roof. Stapleton school ...>MORE
OWNER FINANCE
OWNER FINANCE. $650 down, $435 monthly. 201 N. Washington, Joplin, 3 BR, garage, Full price $32,500. 417-359-4113. ...>MORE
INVESTORS OR START-UP
INVESTORS OR START-UP 1217 Central. $67500 2 bedroom, 1 bath, very nice,room to build more. See more at homesbyowner.co...>MORE
2-3 BR
Basement, newly remodeled, oak cabinets, nice wood floors, privacy fence. $79,200. 2525 N. Ozark. (417)483-0900....>MORE
OPEN HOUSE
405 Keeney Street, Carl Junction. Sunday July 12 • 2 p.m.-4 p.m. This home is owned by Carl Junction R-1 School Di...>MORE
LAKE FRONT MOBILE
Lake Front Mobile Grove, OK 1972 14 X 46 1 Bedroom, 1 bath lake front mobile home weekend getaway. Complete with furn...>MORE
See all ads |
|
2002 LOWE TAHITI
2002 Lowe Tahiti 22 Deck Boat with 2002 Johnson 150 hp motor, fully loaded and lake ready, $12,500. (620)856-5165 or (41...>MORE
LOST: 10 YEAR OLD YELLOW LAB
Goldie has on a flea collar, lost 6/28 between Oak Grove and Tipton Ford. PLEASE call 417-438-2828....>MORE
ATTEMPTING TO LOCATE
realitives of late father, Aziel Murphy, who married Maxine Steele, of Oklahoma, on June 10, 1929. Contact Tresa Collins...>MORE
ANTIQUE RADIO
ANTIQUE Radio; hanging lamps; china cabinet; carnival glass; Singer featherweight machine; 2 ladies and men diamond ring...>MORE
INDEPENDENCE DAY BLOW OUT SALE
20% off all grocery items 20% off all cleaning supply items 20% off all refrigerators, dishwashers, deep...>MORE
AMPLIFIER
1953 Gibson BHR, $250. (417)437-9942....>MORE
LAB MIX
black female, spayed, 3 years old, and 2 puppies, male/female, up to date vet care, $35 each. Refundable with proof of s...>MORE
YORKIE-CHORKIE
Yorkie-Chorkie, 6 weeks, weight 12 oz. and up. 417-358-4202....>MORE
MINIATURE DACHSHUND PUPPIES
6 weeks old, $100. (417)781-4099....>MORE
LAB PUPPIES
lab puppies, AKC 1 chocolate male 1 chocolate female 1 black male 1 black female Master, senior, and junior hunters on ...>MORE
See all ads |
|
 |
|