EMPORIA, Kan. — In what could be described as a much-needed win, the Missouri Southern men’s basketball team defeated Emporia State 75-64 on Saturday in MIAA action inside White Auditorium.
Ending a three-game skid, the Lions improved to 5-5.
Lawson Jenkins scored 19 points and made five 3-pointers for Southern, while Cam Martin contributed 19 points, nine rebounds and five assists.
Stan Scott scored 12 points and grabbed seven rebounds, while Christian Bundy chipped in nine points.
The Lions shot 49 percent from the field and 43 percent from long range. Southern hit 12-of-13 free throws and scored 18 points of 20 Emporia State turnovers.
Jumah’Ri Turner scored 20 points for Emporia State (6-5). Austin Downing added 11 and Mayoum Buom had 10. The Hornets out-rebounded the Lions 35-28. Emporia State made just 4-of-24 3-point attempts.
The Lions ended the first half on a 23-9 run to take a 41-35 halftime advantage.
The Hornets put together a 14-2 early in the second half, but the Lions responded with a 14-2 run of their own, and a trey from Jenkins gave MSSU a 63-55 lead with 6:12 left. Later, free throws from RJ Smith gave the visitors a 73-62 advantage.
The Lions host Fort Hays State at 7:30 on Thursday.
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