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Issue date: 12/4/09 Section: Sports

Media Credit: Julie Lybarger

Men's basketball at Missouri Southern is off to a fast start.

The Lions record stands at 5-0 after wins in the PSU Classic and Freeman Sports/Chris Tucker Memorial Classic tournaments, as well as a Nov. 24 victory over Central Bible College.

"I think we've played some pretty good basketball," Head Coach Robert Corn said. "We've gone through stretches where I think we've got a lot accomplished, obviously we've gone through some stretches where we need to continue to improve, but I think overall we're headed in the right direction."

The Lions were led in scoring by Mariun Price and Skyler Bowlin in their first regular season game against Missouri S&T at Pittsburg State. Price put up 27 points, including going 4-4 at the free throw line. Bowlin added seven assists to his 20 point output to help Southern best S&T by a score of 110-66.

The next contest in Pitt's Classic for the Lions was much closer as Haskell put up 71 points on the night. Southern's offense again performed well however, with four Lions posting double figures in points.

The Lions did not have as high an offensive output against Central Bible in their home opener, but held Central to just 51 points of their own to get the victory.

"I think the key to our season is our defense," Corn said. "I'm a firm believer that you're not going to outscore people, you've gotta beat them, and you do that on the defensive end. I think our defensive pressure has been pretty good.

"I think we've been able to create some turnovers in our full-court pressure, but then when our full-court pressure hasn't been as effective I think our half-court defense has been pretty solid.

"So I think it starts with our defensive effort, and we've been able to convert some opportunities off our defense into easy baskets on offense."

The Lions swept their two slated games in the Freeman Sports/Chris Tucker Memorial Classic as well, taking on Mid-American Christian and Southwestern on Nov. 27 and 28. Southern again scored in triple digits against Southwestern, again getting double digit points from four players. Bowlin, Adams, Keane Thomann and Travis Jones all had at least 11 on the night.

The Lions then hosted Truman State University on Wednesday in the opening game of their conference schedule. Southern's offense wasn't as potent as it had been at times this season; however, again their defense stepped up, holing the Bulldogs to 55 points for the win.

"I think we're definitely headed in the right direction.

"I think we've shown signs of being a good basketball team. Again, obviously, there's areas we need to continue to work on. But I think we're starting to create an identity and I think guys are having an understanding of what their roles are on the team.

"So I think we're doing some things in a positive way that will hopefully prove beneficial now that we're into conference season."

Tomorrow, Southern will travel to Warrensburg to face the University of Central Missouri Mules at 3:30 p.m.

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