Time certainly flies when you’re having fun.
Just ask Missouri Southern guard T.J. Williams.
“I was just talking to my dad on Sunday night how I remember the first game of the season and thinking there was a long season ahead,” Williams said. “Now we’re looking at five games left in the regular season. It’s gone by super fast.”
The Lions, up four spots to No. 19 in this week’s Division II poll, play three of their next four games at home, starting tonight against rival Pittsburg State in a Sonic Trophy Series game.
“It’s always a special game, a game you mark on your calendar twice,” Williams said. “We have business to handle this time. They got us at their place. With them coming to our place, we have to go out and get the job done in a big game for pride and the conference standings as well.”
The Lions (18-5, 10-5 MIAA) are fourth in the conference standings but within two games of first place. League-leading Central Missouri plays road games tonight against third-place Washburn and Saturday afternoon against fifth-place Fort Hays State.
Pittsburg State (12-10, 8-7) is tied for sixth place with Southwest Baptist. The Gorillas, coached by Kevin Muff, beat the Lions 97-87 on Dec. 30 to start a stretch that saw them win six of eight games. But they’ve lost their last three outings by a combined 14 points — including 84-82 at Central Missouri and 78-74 last Saturday to second-place Northwest Missouri State.
The Lions, receiving 22 points from Christian Salecich and 18 apiece from Jason Adams and Keane Thomann, shot 60 percent from the field against the Gorillas. But Pittsburg State dominated the Lions in 3-point shooting (10-of-17 to 5-of-16) and on the boards (35-21).
Guard Eric Ray hit 4-of-4 treys while scoring 28 points for the Gorillas, and forward Andra Bailey had 15 points and 12 rebounds.
“We have to do a much better job on Bailey and Ray,” Lions coach Robert Corn said. “Those two guys in particular really hurt us. JaVon (McGee) has always hurt us in the past as well. We have to be really sound defensively. They have several guys capable of stepping up and hurting us.”
“A big disappointment this year has been our defensive consistency,” Williams said. “We haven’t been very consistent on the defensive end. The good thing is we still have time to get that going, to get consistent on the defensive end and finish out strong going into the postseason.”
Williams, 6-foot-1 senior from Tulsa, will be making his third consecutive start tonight. His primary role throughout his Lion career has been to get the offense in motion and provide energy on defense.
This season Williams has 43 assists and just 21 turnovers while averaging 13.3 minutes. In league play, he has 31 assists and 16 turnovers.
“T.J. has really had a nice career for us,” Corn said. “He’s a guy who understands his role, a guy who understands what he can do on the basketball floor. He runs our basketball team, makes good decisions, plays good defense. He always comes in and gives you the best effort he’s got.
“T.J. has been one of the very best off the floor. He’s very well respected in the community and on campus. He’s active in his church. He’s a young man who has a bright future ahead of him.”
“I’ll remember the fan support that we’ve had here,” Williams said. “That’s one of the main reasons I chose to come here. Everybody was so warm and welcoming, they made me feel like family.
“Last season when we did get crowned conference champions, that’s the second greatest memory of my career. All the blood, sweat and tears while here, from being picked last in the conference to actually win the conference in a four-year span is an unbelievable experience I’ll cherish the rest of my life.”
Williams’ greatest memory?
“The friendships I’ve made on this team since I’ve been here,” he said. “These are friendships I’ll have for a lifetime.”
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Missouri Southern senior guard T.J. Williams says the basketball season is coming to a rapid close.
Discussion
February 8, 2012
Williams, Lions entertain Gorillas
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Outlaws open season Thursday on the road
Chris Oldner takes a cut during the Joplin Outlaws practice Tuesday afternoon. The Outlaws open their season on Thursday night at Rossville and play seven road games before their home opener on June 5.
The Joplin Outlaws and new coach Rob Vessell have set some lofty goals for the 2012 baseball season.
Continued ... - Stanton’s homers fuel Marlins’ surge in May
- Five sign to join Missouri Southern women's track team
- Whisner ignites Joplin Miners past Webb City
- Venus Williams joins Serena on sideline in Paris
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- Pittsburg State Sports
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- Vengels sixth in heptathlon; PSU picks up two seventh-place finishes
- Ethan Cordray signs with Pittsburg State
- Lions, Gorillas begin competition in outdoor track and field championship
- Three finalists named for PSU head baseball coach position
- Lions qualify 10, PSU 15 for Division II outdoor track meet
- Missouri Southern Sports
- High School Sports
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Area athletes turn shine at state meet
Webb City's Jarvis Jones takes sixth in the 200.
- Cleo Elbert steps down at Thomas Jefferson
- Frontenac wins first state baseball title
- Joplin's Jeremy Lynn takes fifth at state tennis
- Frontenac advances at state baseball
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