FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 23, 2008

Lions use huge first half run and defeat visiting Emporia State, 85-66
Box Score

Joplin, Mo. -  The Emporia State Hornets started the game on a 13-2 run, but the Missouri Southern Lions responded with a 39-18 run to end the first half en route to a ten point halftime lead and eventually put away ESU tonight, 85-66 in front of more than 1,300 fans at the Leggett & Platt Athletic Center.

After the early Hornet run, Southern (11-5, 5-2 MIAA) went on an 18-3 run capped off by four straight points from Octavius Hawkins to give the Lions a 20-16 lead at the 8:58 mark of the first half. The run reached 31-8 with four minutes left as a jumper from TJ Britton made the Lions' lead 33-24. A three from Britton with 27 seconds left in the half gave the Lions a 41-31 lead going into the locker room.

ESU (8-8, 3-4 MIAA) started strong, hitting six of the team's first eight shots, but couldn't overcome the Lions' hot hands as Southern shot 58 percent from the field in the first half.

Southern came out of the locker room hot again, and opened the second half on an 18-6 run capped off by a three point play from Vincent Ateba, as the junior converted the free-throw after being fouled on a dunk. The lead grew 23 (69-46) after four straight free-throws from Skyler Bowlin and Vincent Ateba when ESU forward Jordan Fithian fouled Ateba and then later was given a technical foul with 8:44 left.

Southern's largest lead of the night was 24 (85-61) after a three from sophomore Brandon Smith with just under a minute to go in the game.

The Lions had four players score in double-figures led by Vincent Ateba's 23 points. He added 11 rebounds for his fifth double-double of the season. Britton was perfect tonight, going 6-6 from the field, 2-2 from the free-throw line and 2-2 from long range for 16 points. Hawkins scored 11 points, while Matt Monroe had his second straight double-digit scoring affair with 10 points on 4-6 shooting. Tony Webb scored eight and added six assists and five steals.

The Lions shot 58 percent from the field in the game and forced 26 ESU turnovers, scoring 33 points off of the Hornet miscues. ESU came into the game scoring 83 points per game, but the Lions stingy defense held the Hornets to 17 points below their average.

Southern remains in second place in the MIAA and will now make the long trek to Hays, Kan. to take on the Fort Hays State Tigers this Saturday. Tip off is slated for 5 pm from Gross Memorial Coliseum.