Colt Blair fires from three off a screen from Jim Grabowski.

JOPLIN, MO - For the first time this season, SBU moved 2 games over .500 in MIAA play by defeating the Missouri Southern Lions 87-77.

The three-ball was dropping for the Bearcats tonight.

Jason Jemison had 24 points on 7-12 from the 3-point arc (6-7 in the first half). Jared Young added 21 (4-9 from the arc). Jim Grabowski contributed 15 points and 8 rebounds.

SBU shot 51.8% for the game on 29-56. They shot 48.5% (16-33) from three point-land and 65% from the stripe.

The second of Matt Rogers' two dunks

SBU’s largest lead was 17, which came with 7:00 to play. They led by 14 with 5 minutes to play in the first half, but Southern rallied with 12 unanswered points in only 2 minutes 15 seconds to get within 2.

SBU was out-rebounded tonight 43-38.

The play of the game, possibly the season, came with 10 minutes to play in the second half. With SBU leading 69-60, Jason Jemison missed a 3-pointer which banked hard and high in the middle of the lane. As the crowd followed the movement of the missed shot, they saw the outstretched hand of Matt Rogers, well above the rim, meet the ball and slam the pumpkin home with a forceful, Jordan-like, almost terrifying dunk.

The slam even brought the Missouri Southern band to its feet.

The win brings SBU’s record to 14-9, 8-6 in the MIAA. They are in fourth place in the standings heading into the final few games of the season.

SBU’s next game is Monday night, playing host to Fort Hays State. 7:45 tip.

Final Stats