MONTICELLO, Ark. – The University of Arkansas at Monticello men's basketball team will host Southern Arkansas University Thursday night from the Steelman Field House in Monticello for a Great American Conference rivalry matchup. The Weevils will be looking to return the favor to SAU after falling to them in Magnolia, Arkansas earlier this season.
It will also be Pajama Night from the Steelman Field House as fans are encouraged to wear their best pajamas and come to the games.
COVERAGE LINKS
UAM GAME NOTES
UAM VS.
SOUTHERN ARKANSAS UNIVERSITY – 2/13 – 7:30 P.M. –
LIVE STATS,
LIVE VIDEO
THURSDAY'S GAME DETAILS
Opponent: Southern Arkansas University Muleriders
Date: February 13, 2020
Location: Monticello, Arkansas – Steelman Field House
In-Game Updates: Twitter (@UAMsports)
Last Played: January 16, 2019 in Magnolia (L, 72-63)
UAM PRIMER
2019-20 Record: 16-9
2019-20 GAC Record: 8-8
Head Coach:
Kyle Tolin, Sixth Season (89-80)
SCOUTING THE WEEVILS
UAM is currently on a two-game win streak after defeating Harding University on the road and Henderson State University last time out, 81-80.
As for SAU, the Muleriders lost its matchup at Arkansas Tech University on Saturday, 68-63, and are currently riding a three-game losing streak.
UAM is back on a winning streak for the first time since winning six in a row from Dec. 14-Jan. 4 earlier this season.
The Weevils' claim to fame this season has been the offense and rebounding. UAM is 26th in NCAA Division II in scoring offense averaging 85.1 points per game. They are third in the country in total rebounds (1,011) and 22nd in rebounds per game (40.4). UAM is also 25th in DII in rebounding margin at +6.2.
One of the best things about UAM's scoring offense is their balance throughout. Five players on the roster are averaging at least 10 points per game.
KJ Lesure has led the team in scoring averaging 18.7 points per game shooting 44.5 percent from the field and 37.9 percent from downtown. Lesure is ninth in the country in total assists at 153 while also ranking 35th in the country in free throws made at 114.
Justin Slocum is second to Lesure in points per game averaging 14.1 while also ranking second to
Denzel McDuffey in rebounds per game averaging 6.8. He currently leads the team in field goal percentage at 54.1.
Marcus Gilbert is third on the team in points per game averaging 13.6, while he also is first in DII in total minutes played this season at 947:58.
Austin Hardy and McDuffey are fourth and fifth in points scored per game averaging 11.8 and 10.1 points per game, respectively. Hardy has lit it up from deep this season shooting 40.5 percent from beyond the arc, while McDuffey leads the team in rebounds per game averaging 8.4.
SOUTHERN ARKANSAS PRIMER
2019-20 Record: 10-12
2019-20 GAC Record: 7-9
Head Coach: Andy Sharpe, 15th Season Overall (279-180)
SCOUTING THE MULERIDERS
SAU is scoring 68.9 points per game while holding opponents to score 68.1 points per game for a +0.7 margin. As a team, the Muleriders are shooting 40.2 percent from the field and opponents are shooting 43.3 percent.
The Muleriders have a trio of scorers averaging at least 10.0 points per game in Aaron Lucas (14.1 ppg), Devante Brooks (13.8 ppg) and Jalen Brooks (13.3 ppg).
On the glass, both D. Brooks and J. Brooks are the team's top rebounders. D. Brooks grabs 8.4 boards per game while J. Brooks snags 7.7 boards per game.
UP NEXT
UAM will continue its homestand on Saturday when it hosts Arkansas Tech University from Steelman Field House in Monticello. Tipoff is scheduled for 4 p.m. following the women's game.
