GAME 3- SBU BEARCATS (1-1) vs NORTHEASTERN STATE RIVERHAWKS (4-2)
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 24, 2009 • 7:00 PM
BOLIVAR, MO • MEYER SPORTS CENTER

GAME 4 - SBU vs QUINCY LADY HAWKS (3-0)
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 27, 2009 • 6:00 PM
GAME 5 - SBU vs DRURY LADY PANTHERS (3-0)
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 28, 2009 • 8:00 PM
SBU THANKSGIVING CLASSIC
BOLIVAR, MO • MEYER SPORTS CENTER

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SBU NOTES  updated with NSU stats

BOLIVAR, Mo. -- The SBU Bearcats prepare for their home opener this week, as the RiverHawks of Northeastern State (Okla.) come to Bolivar, followed by this weekend's SBU Thanksgiving Classic. SBU will take on two of the Great Lakes Valley Conference's top teams, when they rematch with Quincy and then meet up with Drury. The Bearcats were runner-up in the Quincy Tip-Off Tournament last week, defeating Division II newcomer Maryville, before falling to the host Quincy Lady Hawks. Senior Rachel Graves was the leading scorer in both games, and was named to the all-tournament team. Ashleigh Gallio had 11 points in her SBU debut against Maryville, and was able to follow up that performance the next night with 13 points and 7 assists against Quincy. Junior guard Courtney Heady had a strong opener against Maryville, when she tied a Quincy Tournament record with six treys.

THE COACHES AND THE ALL-TIME SERIES
J.C. Carter begins his second year as head coach of the Bearcats. Last season, he led SBU to a road upset in conference play over nationally ranked Emporia State, as well as a berth in the MIAA Tournament. Randy Gipson is the head coach for the RiverHawks, and over ten consecutive winning seasons in Tahlequah, has put together a 168-93 record. Gipson has been named the Lone Star Conference North Division Coach of the Year five times, including three consecutive years, from 2003-2005.
   
The head coach for the Quincy Lady Hawks is J.D. Gravina, who is entering his third season with a school record of 50-15, and a career mark of 68-48. Quincy has earned two consecutive NCAA Tournament berths during Gravina's tenure, as well as a GLVC regular-season title last year. Steve Harold is starting his second year as coach at Drury; last season the Lady Panthers reached the NCAA Tournament, and looks to be even stronger as they return all five starters from that squad. SBU leads the all-time series against Northeastern State and Quincy, 7-4 and 6-2, respectively. The Bearcats have matched up against Drury only one other time in school history, a 76-67 loss back in 2001.

SCOUTING THE OPPONENTS
The RiverHawks started the season at the Disney Tip-Off Classic, where they went 2-1, losing a one point game to Gannon before defeating North Alabama and Shippensburg. Northeastern State has won four of its last five games, the only loss coming to St. Mary's (Tex.) in the St. Mary's Classic. Jasmine Webb is the leading scorer, averaging 10.3 points per game. The offensive attack could come from anywhere, however, as NSU already has seven different players who have scored in double figures in the early season.    
   
Quincy has started the season 3-0, after defeating Culver-Stockton at home and winning the Quincy Tip-Off Tournament. Forwards Lindsey Stellflue and Courtney Shuman have led the Lady Hawks so far; Stellflue is averaging 17 points a game along with 3.7 assists. Shuman recorded a double-double in the game against SBU last week, with 18 points and 11 rebounds. Stephanie Wagner and Janette Burgin are both averaging double figures so far as well. The Drury Lady Panthers have also started their season 3-0, including an upset win over Grand Valley State (Mich.), as well as two wins in their home tournament against Texas A&M-Commerce and Missouri Western. The Lady Panthers have five players averaging double figures, including Kansas University transfer Lindsay Ballweg, with 20 points a game. Other big threats for Drury include senior forward Melanie Oliver (12.3 ppg, 11.3 rpg), and guard Ja'Nell Jones (10.7 ppg, 7.3 apg)

NEXT UP FOR THE SBU BEARCATS
Next week may not be as hectic for the Bearcats, as they only have one game, but it's a big one, as SBU opens up conference play when they head to Warrensburg on Wednesday night to face the Central Missouri Jennies. Central Missouri is 2-1 on the year, defeating Graceland, then winning against Texas A&M-Kingsville, before falling to Minnesota-Duluth in the Jennies Classic at home. Ana Migueres (15.0 ppg) and Deidra Dace (13.3 ppg) lead the Jennies, while Rebecca Roberts is a boost to the offense, coming off the bench to average 13.7 points per game, along with eight rebounds.