GAME 2: SBU BEARCATS (0-1, 0-0 MIAA)
vs. MISSOURI BAPTIST SPARTANS (3-0, 0-0 AMC)
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 16 • BOLIVAR, MO
MEYER SPORTS CENTER • 99.9 KBFL FM

Game Notes | Live Stats | Listen Online

BOLIVAR, Mo. -- After a hard-fought loss at the hands of Division I Cincinnati, the SBU Bearcats return for their home opener, against Missouri Baptist. The Bearcats look to build on a solid defensive performance that forced 24 turnovers and held their Big East opponents to just 55 points. Tip-off is scheduled for 7 p.m., and can be heard live on 99.9 KBFL FM, as well as online, at www.radiospringfield.com. Fans can also follow along with live stats at www.SBUBearcats.com.

THE COACHES AND ALL-TIME SERIES
SBU head coach J.C. Carter prepares for his third season on the Bearcat bench, where his teams have shown improvement each season. Last year's 10-18 mark was two games better than Carter's first year in Bolivar.

The Missouri Baptist University Women's Basketball program has been under Danny Wingate's leadership since 2003. Under Wingate's direction, the Lady Spartans have improved in all areas. The program was 17-13 in his first season as head coach, and 19-13 the following season, good for third place in the American Midwest Conference.

The game marks the sixth meeting between the Spartans and Bearcats, and the first since the 2007-08 season. SBU has won all five previous matchups, as Missouri Baptist is one of seven opponents the Bearcats have never lost to after at least three games.

LAST TIME OUT FOR THE BEARCATS
Although they never held a lead, the SBU Bearcats hung with the University of Cincinnati last week, falling 40-55. Up by nine points with six minutes left in the first half, Cincinnati closed out the period on a 12-5 run that put them comfortably ahead. SBU actually outscored their Division I foes in the second half, 28-27, and had an edge in the turnover margin, 24-17. Poor shooting did the 'Cats in, with just a 29.4% field goal percentage, including 21.7% in the first half. SBU did get plenty of good looks, and that number will surely rise when playing on their home court.

QUICK HITS
• Senior Courtney Heady led the team with 12 points against Cincinnati. All of the guard's points came from beyond the arc, where she shot 4-for-11.

• Whitney Malone was one of the key defenders in the Cincinnati game, collecting a team-high eight rebounds (all defensive), and five steals.

• Malone also tied Ashleigh Gallio for the team lead in assists, with two. Gallio shot 3-for-8 from the field, for eight points.

• Tanis Spani had a strong showing in her SBU debut. In 13 minutes, Spani scored three points, while grabbing a rebound and dealing out an assist.

• Former Bearcat Rachel Graves was SBU's lone All-MIAA representative last season, earning All-MIAA Second Team, as well as All-Defensive Team honors.

• Last year, the Bearcats hit a conference-best 9.8 threes per game. Graves, along with senior Courtney Heady hit 73 and 72 treys, respectively last season.

• Senior guard Ashleigh Gallio saw 32.7 minutes on the floor per game last season, third-most in the MIAA.

SCOUTING THE SPARTANS
Missouri Baptist is three games into their regular season, with wins against Culver-Stockton, Roosevelt, and Lindenwood. MBU also picked up an exhibition win over NCAA Division I Southeast Missouri, 81-76.

The Spartans are 7th in NAIA, averaging 92.3 points per game, and also rank in the top ten nationally in steals (15.7 pg) and field goal percentage (49.5%). They are led by senior guard Megan Payton, who averaged 20.5 points over their first two game. Junior Andrea Seabaugh lead the team in both rebounds (4.0 pg) and assists (5.0 pg).