GAME 4: SBU BEARCATS (2-1, 0-0 MIAA)
vs. CENTRAL METHODIST EAGLES (1-7, 0-0 HAAC)
Meyer Sports Center • November 23, 2010 • Bolivar, Mo.
6:30 PM • RADIO: KBFL 99.9 FM

Game Notes

Live: Audio | Video | Stats

BOLIVAR, Mo. -- Riding a two-game winning streak after upsetting #16 Drury, the SBU Bearcats host the NAIA Central Methodist Eagles. The Bearcats have a chance for their first 3-1 start since 2007, and the best start for the 'Cats in the coach Carter era. The game can be found live on 99.9 KBFL, and streaming online at www.radiospringfield.com. A live webcast will be availiable as well, 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.

Andi Brooks enters her fifth season at the helm of the Central Methodist women's basketball program. The program has shown significant improvement over the four years since Brooks took over, including posting their highest HAAC ranking since 2000, returning to the conference tournament for the first time in nine years, beating an NCAA Div. II team for the first time in the program's history, and coaching an all-conference player in each of those seasons.

SBU leads the all-time series over the Eagles, 16-2. The two teams met regularly back in the 1970's and 80's, when SBU was a member of the NAIA.

LAST TIME OUT FOR THE BEARCATS
Arguably one of the biggest wins of head coach J.C. Carter's young career, the SBU Bearcats went to Springfield and upset the nationally-ranked Drury Panthers on their home court. Senior guard Asheligh Gallio led the 'Cats with 10 points, while forward Whitney Malone was again a strong defensive presence, recording five steals for the third straight game.

After jumping out to an 11 point lead in the first half, the Lady Panthers bounced back and claimed a four-point edge with just over eleven minutes to play. The Bearcat defense stepped up, forcing Drury to shoot just 3-for-16 from that point forward, taking the 8-point win.

QUICK HITS
• Junior LaKendra Smith leads the Bearcats with 9.3 points per game, after her 19-point performance against Missouri Baptist, most points scored by a Bearcat this season.

• While senior forward Whitney Malone may be averaging just three points a game, she leads the 'Cats in rebounds (7.3/pg), steals (5/pg), and blocks (0.7/pg). Malone has also recorded exactly five steals in every game this season.

• 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 35.7 this season. Gallio leads the team in assists, (7) as well.

• Going back to last season, the Bearcats are carrying a five-game home winning streak. The last time they suffered a loss in the Meyer Sports Center was last January, a three-point heartbreaker to Central Missouri.