KANSAS CITY, MO. — Missouri Southern Men’s Basketball is through to the MIAA Tournament semifinals following a 70-67 win over No. 2 seed Central Missouri.

Less than two weeks prior to the postseason matchup, Missouri Southern fell to the Mules 95-69 on the road in a game that was never much of a contest.

This time around, however, it was a completely different story; the Lions came to play. Missouri Southern started out hot, building a double-digit lead halfway through the first half behind an offensive flurry from Jaden Taylor.

Taylor finished with a team-high 23 points along with 8 rebounds and was instrumental throughout a 9-0 scoring run the help the Lions pull away.

Tyrone Wright also had a standout performance, helping the Lions win the rebound battle behind 11 boards along with 17 points to complete the double-double.

Missouri Southern held an 11-point lead at the half — a exact opposite result of MSSU’s first meeting with the Mules — and maintained the advantage throughout the second half by limiting turnovers and hitting some big shots down the stretch.

The Lions have now booked their spot in the tournament semifinals set for Saturday, March 7. Missouri Southern will face the winner of the Rogers State-Fort Hays State matchup.

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