Joplin, Mo. - The 1999-2000 Missouri Southern Men's Basketball Team will be inducted into the Joplin Area Sports Hall of Fame on October 9th, 2025.
A Hollywood script could not have been written better.
In November 1999, Missouri Southern moved into a new $7.5 million Leggett and Platt Athletic Center, and the best men's basketball team in school history christened the court.
"It was perfect timing for everything," coach Robert Corn said. "I'm a firm believer in things happening for a reason, and I believe that new arena was being built for that team."
The 1999-2000 Lions finished 30-3 and captured the MIAA regular season and postseason tournament championships. All three tournament games were played at the LAPAC, and the Lions posted double-digit victories over Emporia State, Pittsburg State and Northwest Missouri.
Those credentials earned Missouri Southern the opportunity to host the six-team regional tournament. In front of capacity crowds, the Lions defeated MIAA foe Washburn 79-73 in overtime in the semifinal round and Midwestern State (Texas) 92-83 in the championship game.
This advanced the Lions to the Elite Eight in Louisville, Ky. They played No. 1-ranked Florida Southern in the quarterfinals, and after falling behind by 10 points early, the Lions rallied for a 76-65 victory.
It was on to the semifinals against Metro State, and this instant classic came down to a loose-ball foul against the Lions 75 feet away from the Metro State basket with 1.5 seconds left. Metro State hit the front end of the 1-and-1 free throw for a 75-74 victory.
It was a 10-man roster most of the season. Backup center Pieterbas DeWildt suffered an ankle injury early that forced him to miss the rest of the season.
The starters were Eddin Santiago, Carlos Escalera, Terry Shumpert, Carlos Newberry, and Osiris Ricardo.
Coming off the bench were Blake Bard, David Ragland, Brad Mann, Leo Gomes, and Adam Babcock.
Every player fulfilled their role, and every player had their moment at some point during the season. In a key 83-71 home victory over Washburn during the regular season, the Lions made the game-deciding spurt with five reserves on the floor.
"We had guys hit tough, big shots for us," Corn said. "I've often said that some of our best games were in practice. Those guys, no matter who was on what team, they were competing against each other. That's how we continued to get better as the year progressed."
The Lions also had outstanding assistant coaches in Chris Lowery and Paul Lusk. The former Southern Illinois teammates are now assistants in the Big Ten, Lowery at Northwestern and Lusk at Purdue.
The fans also did their part. As the season went on, crowds became bigger and bigger.
"Toward the end of the season, we were having to fight through people to get to the floor for warm-ups," Corn said. "I really believe with my whole heart that I have never seen in all my years at Missouri Southern, before that team and after that team, a university and community get wrapped up in one common theme, and it was that basketball team."
The Joplin Area Sports Hall of Fame Class of 2025 honors five championship teams, and two of them are celebrating milestone anniversaries. The induction ceremony is scheduled for Oct. 9 from 6 to 8:30 p.m. at the Roxy. Tickets are $55 apiece or $100 for two; to make reservations, email brittnie@joplinsports.org.
