Dec 10, 2024

KWU MBB looks to get things back on track hosting York Wednesday, at Saint Mary on Saturday

Posted Dec 10, 2024 7:43 PM

The Coyotes play York and Saint Mary in two Kansas Conference games this week before embarking on the Christmas break.

WEDNESDAY'S GAME

Opponent: York

Time: 8 p.m.

Location: Mabee Arena

SATURDAY'S GAME

Opponent: Saint Mary

Time: 7 p.m.

Location: Ryan Sports Center, Leavenworth

LIVE COVERAGE

  1. The video stream of the games will be available online through the Coyote Sports Network at www.kcacnetwork.com/kansaswesleyan. Saint Mary will be responsible for producing Saturday's game stream.
  2. Live Stats will be available at https://kwucoyotes.com/sidearmstats/mbball/summary
  3. Radio coverage will be on 910 KINA. The online stream is available at https://radio.securenetsystems.net/ce/kina2. Tyler Henry and Brooks Garretson will have the call. Pregame will begin following the women's contests each night.

RECORDS

  1. Kansas Wesleyan 6-5, 1-4 KCAC
  2. York 4-7, 1-4 KCAC
  3. Saint Mary 7-3, 5-0 KCAC (at Avila on Wednesday)

THE SERIES

  1. The Coyotes have won the last eight against York but trail the series 12-11 since 2009. Last season KWU won 85-69 in January at York, Neb. and 95-84 in February in Mabee Arena.
  2. The Coyotes have won three of the last five and nine of the last 11 against Saint Mary. The teams split last season, KWU winning 71-64 in December in Salina and the Spires 72-57 last February in Leavenworth.

KANSAS WESLEYAN AT A GLANCE

  1. The Coyotes will be looking to end a two-game skid Wednesday. They lost to Sterling 76-72 last Wednesday in Mabee Arena and 88-65 to Friends on Saturday in Wichita. Alex Littlejohn had 29 points and nine rebounds against Sterling and 19 points and nine rebounds versus Friends.
  2. Littlejohn leads the KCAC and is 11th in the NAIA in rebounding at 10.7. He also leads the Coyotes in scoring at 17.7 points. Easton Hunter also has a double-figure scoring average at 12.3.
  3. The Coyotes are averaging 74 points and allowing 73. They shoot 43.6 percent as a team, 32.8 percent from deep and 73 percent at the free throw line. Opponents shoot 41 percent overall and 33 percent from the 3-point line.

YORK AT A GLANCE

  1. The Panthers have won two of their last three after a 2-5 start. They defeated Tabor 88-67 Saturday in York after losing to Bethany 80-70 last Wednesday also in York.
  2. Junior guard Chris Dixon averages a team-high 16.7 points with senior forward Carl Thorpe Jr. (13.1) and Andrew Bennett (9.9) next. Thorpe is also the top rebounder (8.5).
  3. York averages 74 points and allows 76. The Panthers are shooting 46 percent overall, 34 percent from 3-point range and just 60.6 percent from the foul line. They're outrebounding their opponents by 5.5 and average 15 turnovers.

SAINT MARY AT A GLANCE

  1. The Spires enter their game against Avila on Wednesday having won five in a row and seven of eight losing their first two. They edged Evangel 84-83 in Springfield, Mo. last Wednesday and downed McPherson 83-73 Saturday in Leavenworth.
  2. Four Spires are scoring in double figures led by sophomore guard Jordan Brown (15.3). Junior guard Damare Smith (15.1) and senior guards Joey Schultz (12.8) and Bryce Johnson (12.6) are close behind.
  3. Saint Mary averages 78.6 points, shoots 42.6 percent overall and 36.7 percent from beyond the arc. Opponents are scoring 75.3 points and 42.6 shooting percent. Rebounding has been a problem though as USM has a minus-6.8 margin per game but also averages just under nine turnovers per outing.
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