By: Greg Gorham
GAME 3: SBU BEARCATS (1-1, 0-0 MIAA)
vs. DRURY PANTHERS (1-1, 0-0 GLVC)
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 20 • SPRINGFIELD, MO
O'REILLY FAMILY EVENT CENTER • 99.9 KBFL FM
Game Notes
LIVE: Audio | Video | Blog
BOLIVAR, Mo. -- The Bearcats bounced back after their season-opening loss by knocking off Missouri Baptist, and now look to make it two in a row against their rival up the road, the Drury Panthers. The game will be broadcast live on 99.9 KBFL, and can be heard online at www.radiospringfield.com. Fans can also follow the game via webcast at www.AmericaOne.com.
THE COACHES AND ALL-TIME SERIES
SBU head coach J.C. Carter is in 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.
Steve Harold is in his fourth season at the helm of the Lady Panthers, where he has compiled a 75-21 record and a pair of GLVC titles. Under Harold, Drury reached the NCAA Sweet 16 in 2009.
Although both sides have a storied basketball history, this marks just the third meeting between SBU and Drury. The Lady Panthers won the previous two matchups, in 2001 and 2009.
LAST TIME OUT FOR THE BEARCATS
SBU put in a solid performance in their hope opener earlier this week against Missouri Baptist, as the 'Cats knocked off a very competitive NAIA team, 71-61. The Spartans hung with the Bearcats throughout most of the first half, but when
Chasity Prince hit a three to give SBU a 24-21 edge, they would control the game from that point onward. Prince ended the game with 11 points, while newcomers
LaKendra Smith and
Jacqui Zelenka had 19 and 18 points, respectively.
Senior
Whitney Malone continues to be the defensive leader for the 'Cats, as she collected seven defensive rebounds and five steals. Malone has ten steals in the first two games this year, leading the team.
The Bearcats shooting also improved once they got back into the Meyer Sports Center. After shooting 29.4% against Cincinnati, SBU went 30-for-67 (44.8%) against Missouri Baptist.
QUICK HITS
• Junior
LaKendra Smith leads the Bearcats with 10.5 points per game, after her .19-point performance against Missouri Baptist.
• While senior forward
Whitney Malone may be averaging just three points a game, she leads the 'Cats in rebounds (9/pg), steals (5/pg), and blocks (0.5/pg).
• Along with Smith,
Jacqui Zelenka is the other Bearcat averaging double-figures, with 10 points per game. Zelenka also leads the team with a 61.5% shooting percentage.
•
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.
• 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.
• After leading the conference last year, senior guard
Ashleigh Gallio saw continues to play a high number of minutes, averaging 35.5 this season. Gallio leads the team in assists, (6) as well.