October 21, 2009        
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE         

Southern to host annual Meet the Lions Night

Joplin, Mo. -- The Missouri Southern men's and women's basketball programs will host their annual Meet the Lions Night on Monday, October 26 at the Leggett & Platt Athletic Center on the campus of Missouri Southern.

Maryann Mitts' women's team is coming off an 19-10 record from a year ago that saw the team advance to the semis of the MIAA Tournament. 

Robert Corn's men's team returns four starters, and all but two players from a team that finished 19-12 last season and had it's 11th straight appearance in the MIAA Tournament. The team was ranked as high as 10th nationally.

The festivities will kick off at 5:30 pm with free hot dogs and Pepsi products, as well as a pumpkin patch for kids that wish to decorate a pumpkin. Schedule cards and team posters will also be available free of charge.

The women will take the court at 5:50 pm for warm ups and intros will take place at approximately 6 pm. They will begin a 20 minute running clock scrimmage at 6:10 pm. The Southern dance team will have a performance following the women's scrimmage.

Players will participate in a dunk contest and another shooting contest in between scrimmages.

The men's intros will then take place at approximately 7:10 pm and their 20 minute running clock scrimmage will start at 7:15 pm.

Both teams will sign autographs while the other is scrimmaging. Everyone is invited to attend and admission is free, as always.