Nov 28, 2023

Men's Basketball back in action this week at McPherson Wednesday, hosting Swedes on Saturday

Posted Nov 28, 2023 10:47 PM

After an 11-day break, Kansas Wesleyan Men's Basketball returns to action at McPherson on Wednesday, then hosting rival Bethany on Saturday.LIVE COVERAGE

  1. The video stream of the game will be available online through the Coyote Sports Network at www.kcacnetwork.com/kansaswesleyan.
  2. Live Stats will be available at https://kwucoyotes.com/sidearmstats/mbball/summary
  3. Radio coverage can be heard locally on KINA 910 AM/107.5 FM, and online at Salina Post. The online stream is also available at https://radio.securenetsystems.net/ce/kina2. Tyler Henry will have the call with pregame starting following the women's contests both days, approximately 7:40 Wednesday, 6:40 Saturday.

RECORDS

  1. Kansas Wesleyan 4-4, 1-1 KCAC
  2. McPherson 5-1, 1-1 KCAC
  3. Bethany 1-4, 0-2 KCAC (vs. Friends on Wednesday)

THE SERIES

  1. The Coyotes have won three in a row and four of five against McPherson. They played just once last season with KWU winning 86-72 January 14 in McPherson. The Coyotes won twice during the 2021-22 season, 89-77 in Mabee Arena and 93-67 in McPherson. KWU has a 20-16 advantage since January, 2006.
  2. The Coyotes and Swedes are 3-3 in the last six games but KWU has a won eight of the last 11. Wesleyan won 62-54 last November in Mabee Arena; Bethany prevailed 87-55 last January in Lindsborg. The Coyotes have a 20-18 advantage since December, 2005.

KANSAS WESLEYAN AT A GLANCE

  1. The Coyotes lost to Evangel 81-80 November 18 in Mabee Arena in their game before the Thanksgiving break. KWU trailed by 17 in the second half, rallied and took the lead with 1:17 left but couldn't hang on. Alex Littlejohn had 19 points and 16 rebounds, Izaiah Hale 16 points and Caden Hale scored 12 of his 15 points the second half.
  2. Jun Murdock is the leading scorer at 18.3 points followed by Littlejohn at 16.0. He also averages 11.0 rebounds. Thurbil Bile averages 10.1 points and Cory Kaplan 9.4 points.
  3. KWU averages 81.6 points and is shooting 47.3 percent overall, 30.3 percent from beyond the 3-point arc. Opponents average 78.4 points, are shooting 46 percent overall, 33.3 percent from deep and have a 2.6 rebounding advantage per game.

McPHERSON AT A GLANCE

  1. The Bulldogs won their first five games before losing to Friends 70-66 November 18 in Wichita. They defeated Waldorf 90-77 Saturday in a non-conference road game. They also have defeated Benedictine in Atchison (70-61) and Bethel in McPherson (61-57).
  2. Collin Storr, a junior forward, is top scorer and rebounder at 15.0 points and 8.6 rebounds. Junior guard Owen Braxmeyer averages 10.7 points.
  3. McPherson averages 74 points, shoots 42 percent (33.3 percent beyond the arc) and is outrebounding opponents by 8.1 per game. Opponents average 65.4 points and are shooting just 38 percent - 25 percent from long range.

BETHANY AT A GLANCE

  1. The Swedes have lost their last four games after winning their opener over Mount Marty. They lost to Oklahoma Wesleyan 69-57 and Bethel 82-59 the week before the Thanksgiving break.
  2. Junior guard Devin Spencer averages a team-best 16.4 points followed by junior guard Maurice Cudjo II at 12.6. Bethany averages 60.8 points and their opponents 72.6. The Swedes are shooting 38.5 percent overall, 26 percent from 3-point range.
  3. Bethany is led by first-year coach Trevor Flemmer who replaced Dan O'Dowd during the offseason. Flemmer coached at Presentation last season.
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