Men's Basketball | 3/9/2014 7:35:46 PM

Kansas City, Mo. – Missouri Southern shot .574 from the field as they claimed their first MIAA Tournament Championship since 2000. The Lions hit 10 three-pointers and got 28 points from their bench in the 84-72 victory over Central Oklahoma claiming the MIAA’s automatic bid into the NCAA Tournament.

Missouri Southern jumped out to an early 10-2 advantage, but Central Oklahoma answered and two teams played back and fourth basketball for most of the rest of the half. UCO got a three-pointer with three seconds to go in the half to take a one point lead into the break. MSSU would then open the second half on a 15-4 run and would not look back.

For the Lions Marquis Addison led the way with 21 points earning a spot on the All-Tournament team. Tournament Most Outstanding Player Slim Magee had 15 points and nine rebounds while Jordan Talbert added seven assists. For the Bronchos All-Tournament team member Josh Gibbs had 24 points and pulled down nine rebounds. Aaron Anderson finished with 19 points and Phillip Brown added 15 points on the afternoon.

The Lions earn the conferences automatic bid into the NCAA Division II Tournament and will play in next week's Central Regional. All other MIAA teams will await their fate on tonight's selection show scheduled for 9:30 p.m. CST at ncaa.com.

All-Tournament Team
Slim Magee, Missouri Southern (Most Outstanding Player)
Marquis Addison, Missouri Southern
Josh Gibbs, Central Oklahoma
Bryton Hobbs, Northeastern State
Dillon Starzl, Northwest Missouri

Notes: Missouri Southern earns their third MIAA title and just the fifth ever won by the #3 seed…MSSU evens up their overall record in tournament play as they are now 18-18 with five Championship game appearances…Robert Corn, who will retire after this season, has coached every MIAA Tournament game for the Lions going 18-18 in his career and winning three MIAA tournament titles…Dillon Starzl of Northwest Missouri has been named to the All-Tournament team in back to back seasons becoming the first player to do so since Hunter Henry was named to the team during the 2007 and 2008 tournaments.