From staff reports
sports@joplinglobe.com
CAROLINA, Puerto Rico — Missouri Southern saw a 15-point second-half lead sliced to a single point.
But Vincent Ateba and Mariun Price combined to score seven straight points, and the Lions held on for a 74-70 victory over Concordia (N.Y.) on Friday night in the Puerto Rico Holiday Tournament.
The No. 14-ranked Lions (11-0) advance to the championship game at 5 p.m. today against Puerto Rico-Bayamon, which knocked off previously undefeated Northwood (Fla.) 77-69 in the first semifinal game. Northwood, an NAIA Division II school, is coached by former Villanova coach Rollie Massimino.
The Lions, ahead 42-34 at halftime, widened their margin to 17 points before the Clippers (2-8) went on a 19-4 spurt to pull within two points.
Missouri Southern held a one-point lead when Ateba scored on two consecutive possessions. Ateba got the ball inside again on the next trip, and he threw it to Price on the perimeter. Price was fouled on the 3-point shot and made all three charities, giving the Lions a 70-62 lead with approximately four minutes left.
Ateba scored again to give the Lions a 72-66 lead with 2:29 left, and the Clippers never got closer than the final margin. Ateba scored 10 of his 15 points in the second half.
“Late in the game Vincent wanted the ball, and he did a good job converting,” Lions head coach Robert Corn said. “We have a lot of confidence in him, and he has delivered most of the time.”
Price, 6-foot-1 junior guard, led the Lions with 18 points, including 10 in the first half, and Skyler Bowlin contributed 11 points.
“Mariun Price continues to make big plays for us in crucial situations,” Corn said.
The Lions shot 49 percent from the floor, made just 11 of 19 free throws and were outrebounded 32-26. But the Lions’ pressure defense forced 25 Concordia turnovers, and the Lions scored 24 points off turnovers.
Concordia shot 58 percent in the first half but committed 19 turnovers, leading to 20 MSSU points. In fact, the Clippers had their 10th turnover about three minutes before reaching 10 points.
The Lions collected 14 steals, including six by Bowlin, three by Price and two apiece by Ateba and Jason Adams.
“Our press was probably the best it’s been in a long time,” Corn said. “We did a good job with our traps and rotation. We got three or four steals when we hustled back. We really did a good job of getting opportunities out of the press, and most of the time we did a good job capitalizing on it.”
Samuel Batista, 6-foot-3 sophomore guard playing in his hometown, captured game honors with 23 points for the Clippers. He has 47 points in the two tournament games.
“We played well in spurts. We didn’t do a good job of sustaining it,” Corn said. “To Concordia’s credit, they kept playing and battling hard, and we didn’t respond. I thought we had them on the ropes two or three times, but each time we self-destructed a little bit. The things that got us the lead — sound defense and the extra pass on offense — once we got the lead, we got a little complacent, took a quick shot, and that led to open 3s at the other end.”
Sports
Lions fight off Concordia’s late rally
No. 14-rated Southern, 11-0, to play Bayamon today for tourney title
- Sports
-
-
Kickapoo girls race past Joplin
Annie Armstrong poured in 21 points to lead the Kickapoo girls to a 65-28 victory over Joplin on Thursday night in an Ozark Conference basketball game at Missouri Southern’s Young Gymnasium.
-
Cheever is ultimate blue-collar snowboarder
As a World Cup snowboardcross racer, Jonathan Cheever has taken his share of spills over the years.
-
District wrestling tournaments begin tonight
Neosho’s wrestling lineup will have a different look when the Class 3 district wrestling tournament begins at 6 p.m. today at Carthage.
-
Late board work carries Lions past Pittsburg State
Pittsburg State displayed its offensive rebounding muscle during Wednesday night’s game at Missouri Southern.
-
Pitching holds key for softball Lions
Pitching is the main question Missouri Southern must answer as the Lions open their softball season today in Abilene, Texas.
-
Quapaw completes 12-0 run through Lucky '7' Conference
Quapaw High School girls basketball coach Rod Graves expected the 2011-12 Wildcats to compile another successful season.
They haven’t been a disappointment. -
Hillsdale women stop OCC
Visiting Hillsdale Free Will Baptist handed Ozark Christian a 68-47 loss in women’s college basketball on Thursday night.
-
Tomlin, Steelers welcome Haley as new coordinator
Throughout the 16 minutes that followed him glowingly introducing former Kansas City Chiefs coach Todd Haley as his new offensive coordinator, Pittsburgh Steelers coach Mike Tomlin stood proudly in the corner of the second-floor media room at the team’s facility.
-
Rangers, Cruz strike $16M, 2-year deal
Two-time defending AL champion Texas has avoided arbitration with another of its core players, agreeing Thursday to a $16 million, two-year contract with AL championship series MVP Nelson Cruz.
-
Auburn’s Ward adapts game after injury at Texas
Auburn’s Varez Ward can’t take to the air quite like he used to. The onetime Texas starter is still trying to regain strength and explosiveness more than two years after rupturing his right quadriceps tendon while dunking during pre-game warmups.
- More Sports Headlines
-
Denver's Largest-Ever Drug Bust Nets Dozens
Marines: No Punishment for Nazi-like Flag
Vets Look to Translate Military Skills Into Jobs
Expert: Removing LA School's Staff 'Appropriate'
Raw Video: School Bus Burst Into Flames
LA School Reopens Amid Sex Abuse Scandal
$25B Settlement Reached Over Foreclosure Abuses
Pentagon: Allow Women Closer to Front Lines
Obama Gives Education Waivers to 10 States
Giffords Aide to Run for Her Seat
LA School in Sex Abuse Scandal Reopens
Winter Slamming North Asia, Parts of Europe
Syrian Forces Renew Bombardment of Homs
States, Banks Reach Foreclosure-abuse Settlement
Raw Video: Italy's Mount Etna Bursts Into Life
Greeks March; Angry Despite Debt Deal
Raw Video: U.S. Pullout Celebration
Raw Video: Annual Empire State Building Run-Up
Man Killed in Courthouse Shootout
Air Force Airlines: Leaders Get Polished Service
