FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE June 1, 2006 MSSU men's basketball team announces junior college transfer JOPLIN, Mo. - Head coach Robert Corn has another 2006-07 addition for the Missouri Southern State University men's basketball team. Joey Savage, a native of Good Pine, La., has announced his intention to join the Lion basketball team in the upcoming season. "Joey has played in a very good junior college program and was an excellent player there," Corn said. "We feel like with his ability to shoot the three and get to the basket, he brings some offensive firepower to our basketball team. And I think one of the things that really stands out about him is that he has the capability to be an outstanding defensive player for us. "He is an outstanding young man and will be a welcome addition to our basketball program. We're very excited to have him." A 6-foot-5 and 200-pound forward, Savage is transferring to MSSU from Bossier Parish (La.) Community College. As a sophomore in 2004-05, he averaged 13 points and five rebounds per game in leading the Cavaliers of coach Louis Bonner to a 20-10 record. In his freshman season, Savage charted seven points and three rebounds per game as BPCC finished 16-14 overall. Savage, a graduate of Jeena (La.) High School, sat out the 2005-06 season before opting to continue his basketball career in the college ranks. He joins four other additions for the 2006-07 MSSU men's basketball team. Forward/center Deonte Cox (St. Louis, Mo./Forest Park CC) and guard Daniel Hurst (Lake Hamilton, Ark.) announced last month their intentions to attend Southern and play basketball for the Lions. Guard T.J. Britton (Poplar Bluff, Mo./Mineral Area CC) and center Kyle Schrage (Carl Junction, Mo.) signed with Missouri Southern during the November 2005 early-signing period. Missouri Southern finished the 2005-06 season with a 12-16 record but made its eighth consecutive appearance in the Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association (MIAA) Postseason Tournament. Coach Corn, fourth in victories among active MIAA coaches, is 264-218 in 17 years at the helm of the Lions. He has guided Southern to six 20-win seasons in his career. The Lions are expected to return three starters in 2006-07.