Career night from Atkinson leads Lions over Central Bible - KOAM TV 7

Career night from Atkinson leads Lions over Central Bible

JOPLIN -- Missouri Southern sophomore forward Stephen Atkinson scored a career high in points, rebounds and the Lions defeated Central Bible 69-39 tonight at the Leggett & Platt Athletic Center. 

Southern (5-3) raced out to a 28-8 lead early on after a layup from Atkinson was part of eight straight points from the sophomore. The lead would be 40-18 at the halftime break. 

CBC (3-9) shot 26 percent from the field in the first half and the Spartans were led in scoring by three players with eight points each. 

The Lions' lead reached 30 (55-25) after a layup from Greg Renfroe with 14:39 left. The lead would reach 30 twice more with the final tally being the last time. 

The Lions were led in scoring from Atkinson's 20 points on 8-15 shooting from the field and 2-3 from long range. He had seven rebounds, as well. Marquis Addison had ten points on 4-7 shooting, while Bryan Adams added a career-high eight rebounds. 

Southern shot 51 percent from the field in the game and 50 percent from long range. The Lions out scored the Spartans 36-14 in the paint and scored 29 points off of 23 CBC turnovers. 

The Lions will be back in action this Saturday, when Southern travels to Truman to take on the Bulldogs to start MIAA play. Tipoff is 3 pm.