Keane Thomann and Jason Adams combined for 40 points, and three more players reached double figures as No. 23 Missouri Southern gained some revenge with an 85-69 victory over Missouri Western in front of 2,179 fans Saturday night in the Leggett & Platt Athletic Center.
But the Lions’ victory didn’t come as easy as the 16-point margin implies. From Missouri Southern’s standpoint, the game could be divided into the good, the bad and the ugly.
The Lions (18-5, 10-5 MIAA) shot 78 percent — 21-of-27 — in the first half and led 50-32 at the intermission. Adams and Jordan Talbert combined for 11 points as the Lions jumped out to a 13-3 lead, then the Lions made 15 of their last 17 shots in the half. Adams hit 6-of-8 while scoring 14 in the half, and Talbert was 5-of-6 and had 11.
“Offensively we played probably about as good as we can play the first half,” Lions coach Robert Corn said. “We had 15 assists at halftime and shot 78 percent. From an offensive standpoint, we couldn’t have had a better half than what we did.”
And, a pregame message on a social network provided more motivation for the Lions, who lost 75-67 to the Griffons when MSSU was ranked No. 1 in the nation.
“Coach told us something that had been put on Twitter about them bringing brooms to Joplin,” Thomann said. “We know we can’t let that happen. It lit a fire under us to come out and make a statement.
“Everything the first half was clicking. We were having a lot of fun together, and when we’re having fun, the passes seem to get where they’re going a lot faster. Everything goes a lot better.”
Missouri Southern led 50-26 before the Griffons (7-14, 2-13) scored the last six points of the first half. Missouri Western shot only 34 percent in the first half, but they went 7-of-8 to start the second half while the Lions were only 1-of-9 as they saw their lead dwindle to 54-50 with 14 minutes left.
Griffons guard James Harris scored 16 of his game-high 28 points during that seven-minute comeback.
The Griffons climbed within 58-55 before Adams converted all attempts on a three-shot free throw and Marquis Addison drove for a layup after a steal for a 63-55 lead midway through the half. Then an eight-point run — two charities by Addison and Adams, an Addison layup after going coast-to-coast and two Thomann free throws — made it 74-60 with 5:38 to play.
An ugly second half saw the teams combine to commit 25 fouls and shoot 37 free throws.
“The second half our same shots were not falling and they started making shots,” Corn said. “Jeff (Boschee, assistant coach) is running our offense and Ronnie (Ressel, associate head coach) is running our defense. Jeff did a great job in the first half and Ronnie did a great job in the second half. We started mixing our defense, and we changed the tempo with our 2-3 defense. That was probably the difference.”
Thomann was 8-of-10 from the floor and 5-of-6 at the foul line for 21 points, 12 in the second half.
“They did a good job of making shots contested,” Thomann said. “They got some fouls called on them, and I was able to hit free throws today. I’m happy about that.”
Adams finished with 19 points for the Lions, hitting 6-of-13 field goals and 6-of-7 free throws.
Talbert scored 13 points and grabbed seven rebounds as the Lions owned a 32-30 rebounding edge, and guards Addison and Christian Salecich contributed 11 and 10 points, respectively, off the bench. Salecich and T.J. Williams each had five assists.
Harris, 6-foot junior guard averaging 12.3 points, hit 8-of-18 fielders and 8-of-10 free throws for his career-high 28 points, giving him 54 points in two games against the Lions. Forward Lavonte Douglas had 14 points and 12 rebounds for the Griffons.
Missouri Western coach Tom Smith missed the game because he was being inducted into the Valparaiso University Athletics Hall of Fame.
The Lions play host to Pittsburg State at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday.
Sports
Related Photos
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Globe/Kellen Jenkins Missouri Southern's Keane Thomann gets postion against Missouri Western's Shawn Tarver Saturday night at MSSU's Leggett & Platt Athletic Center.
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Globe/Kellen Jenkins Missouri Southern's TJ Williams looks for an opening in the Missouri Western defense Saturday night at MSSU's Leggett & Platt Athletic Center.
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Globe/Kellen Jenkins Missouri Southern's Christian Salecich hooks around Missouri Western's Lavonte Douglas Saturday night at MSSU's Leggett & Platt Athletic Center.
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Globe/Kellen Jenkins Missouri Southern's Jason Adams takes a lay up past Missouri Western's TJ Johnson Saturday night at MSSU's Leggett & Platt Athletic Center.
Discussion
February 4, 2012
Thomann, Adams lift MSSU past Western
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Miners, Carl Junction split American Legion doubleheader
Joplin's Nate Brummer dives back into first base before Carl Junction's Jaron Hulette can apply the tag during their American Legion baseball game at Joe Becker Stadium.
Bryce Ash’s two-run single capped a four-run fourth inning in Joplin’s 8-6 victory against Carl Junction in the second game of an American Legion doubleheader Thursday night at Joe Becker Stadium.
Continued ... - 11th annual Grin Iron Classic set in Springfield
- Outlaws pitching fans 18 in season-opening win over Rossville
- Desiree Felker signs to play volleyball at OCC
- Phil McClintock hired as boys basketball coach at Salem
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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
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