By Jim Henry

jhenry@joplinglobe.com

Jason Adams loves to live by the rim.

“I think I’m going to start paying rent,” he said. “That’s my home.”

Adams, 6-foot-5, 187-pound freshman, spent a lot of time around the rim Tuesday night during a first-half spurt that propelled Missouri Southern past Northeastern State (Okla.) 66-53 at the Leggett & Platt Athletic Center.

Adams made 6 of 9 shots while collecting 12 points, six rebounds and three steals in 17 minutes. His aerial display produced 10 points in a 4 1/2-minute span during the Lions’ 21-0 burst late in the first half.

Adams’ first basket came on a layin off a tough angle near the left baseline off a pass from fellow freshman Keane Thomann. Adams tipped in a basket, then two possessions later made a steal just past halfcourt and drove for a one-handed dunk.

Just over a minute later Adams grabbed a shot that bounced off the rim and made a crowd-pleasing two-handed slam. Two trips later Adams made another steal and tipped in his own missed shot for a 35-18 lead.

“We can’t play that way unless you’re in shape,” Adams said. “The coaches have done a good job getting us in shape, letting us know if we don’t keep working, we will not play that way. We bust it every day in practice to stay in shape.”

Adams, a three-year starter at Carthage High School, earned all-Southwest Conference honors after his junior season. He said defense has been his biggest adjustment to the college game.

“There are not breaks on defense in college,” he said. “In high school you can take a break every once in a while. But a break for one or two possessions in a big game can decide the game.”

“The biggest thing about young players is understanding you have to do it on a consistent basis ... each and every play, then each and every game,” Lions head coach Robert Corn said. “It’s a maturing process for each player. He’s maturing. He’s shown a glimpse in the first four games of what he could do. He definitely had his best minutes over an extended period (Tuesday night).”

“This is so much fun.” Adams said. “Playing with guys as good as you are, if not better, makes everything a lot better. There is a lot less stress. Having 14 guys who can come out and play the same role you play, it’s a lot more fun like that.”

The Lions are off to a 5-0 start for the second straight year. They travel to Pittsburg State for the Chatters/Comfort Inn Classic this weekend, facing Henderson State tonight at 5 and Evangel on Saturday night at 5.

Senior forward Vincent Ateba, this week’s MIAA Player of the Week, averages 19.3 points to lead three Lions in double figures. Sophomore guard Skyler Bowlin and senior forward Matt Monroe average 12.5 and 11.0, respectively.