MONTICELLO, Ark. – The University of Arkansas at Monticello men's basketball team will aim to keep its five-game winning streak intact when it hosts Northwestern Oklahoma State University on Saturday at 3 p.m. from the Steelman Field House in Monticello, Arkansas.
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UAM GAME NOTES
UAM VS.
NORTHWESTERN OKLAHOMA STATE UNIVERSITY – 1/4 – 3 P.M. –
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GAME DETAILS
Opponent: Northwestern Oklahoma State Rangers
Date: January 4, 2020
Location: Monticello, Arkansas – Steelman Field House
In-Game Updates: Twitter (@UAMsports)
Last Played: January 31, 2019 in Monticello (W, 70-58)
UAM PRIMER
2019-20 Record: 12-2
2019-20 GAC Record: 4-1
Head Coach: Kyle Tolin, Sixth Season (85-73)
SCOUTING THE WEEVILS
On Thursday, UAM won its first game of 2020 in an overtime thriller against Southwestern Oklahoma State, 98-96.
KJ Lesure led the Weevils with a double-double tallying 30 points, 10 rebounds and six assists. The Rangers are coming off a tight victory at Southern Arkansas on Thursday, 88-84.
The Weevils are riding an impressive five-game winning streak and are currently undefeated at home, 7-0. Dating back to last season, UAM has won eight straight home contests and has a 15-3 home record since the start of 2018-19.
The Weevils are seventh in the country in total rebounds (574), 11th in total assists (238), 22nd in field goal percentage (50.1), 22nd in total three-pointers made (136), 24th in rebound margin (+7.8) and 36th in total blocks (51).
UAM is averaging 89.2 points per game while holding opponents to 74.4 points per game for a +14.8 margin. UAM is shooting 50.1 percent from the field and 39.4 percent from three-point range. The Weevils are also shooting 73.7 percent from the free-throw line.
On the glass, UAM is averaging 41.0 rebounds per contest holding opponents to 33.2 boards per game.
On defense, The Weevils are forcing 16.4 turnovers per contest while averaging 8.4 steals per game and swatting 3.6 shots per contest.
UAM has five players that average at least 10.0 points per game in Lesure (17.9),
Justin Slocum (14.7),
Marcus Gilbert (13.8),
Austin Hardy (12.6) and
Denzel McDuffey (11.2).
Lesure has been tearing it up in his last few games and is tied for fourth in the country in total assists with 95. In the last five games, he is averaging 23.6 points per game and 5.8 assists per contest.
Most of Slocum's points this season have come on the inside and he has been exceptionally efficient shooting 57.2 percent from the floor.
Another key contributor on a couple of fronts has been McDuffey. He is coming off a double-double as well and along with averaging his 11.2 points per game, he also leads the team in steals (28) and blocks (18).
NORTHWESTERN OKLAHOMA STATE PRIMER
2019-20 Record: 4-7
2019-20 GAC Record: 1-4
Head Coach: Vinay Patel, First Season (4-7)
SCOUTING THE RANGERS
As a team, Northwestern Oklahoma State is averaging 66.8 points per game while opponents are scoring 73.8 points per contest for a -7.0 margin.
NWOSU has also been getting beat on the glass averaging 34.3 rebounds per contest while opponents are pulling down 36.1 per game
The Rangers are led by Parrish Hewitt who is scoring 15.5 points per contest. He is also averaging 5.1 rebounds per game and is shooting 33.2 percent from downtown.
Jaedon Whitfield is the team's second leading scorer averaging 11.9 points per game while leading the team in rebounds per contest at 7.6.
UP NEXT
The Weevils will hit the road for a GAC contest on Thursday at Southeastern Oklahoma State. Tipoff is set for 7:30 p.m. following the women's game.
