GAME 7: SBU BEARCATS (3-3, 0-0 MIAA)
vs. #14 CENTRAL MISSOURI MULES (5-1, 0-0 MIAA)
Meyer Sports Center • November 30, 2010 • Bolivar, Mo.
7:30 PM • RADIO: KBFL 99.9 FM

Game Notes

LIVE: Audio | Video | Stats

BOLIVAR, Mo. -- The SBU Bearcats start off the MIAA schedule with one of the best conference rivalries in recent years, as they host the #16 Central Missouri Mules, in a game between the two teams who have won the past six MIAA regular season titles. Tickets are still available, and fans can also catch the game live on KBFL 99.9, or find live video online at www.AmericaOne.com

THE COACHES AND ALL-TIME SERIES
SBU head coach Jeff Guiot continues in his seventh season on the Bearcat bench, where he has won three MIAA regular season titles, and compiled a 130-57 (.695) record. Coach Guiot has led the 'Cats to an MIAA Tournament appearance each season, and three NCAA Tournament appearnaces. Last season, SBU won 20 games for the third consecutive season, marking the first time in the history of the program the feat has been accomplished.

In his ninth season at the University of Central Missouri, Kim Anderson is the all-time wins leader in school history. He has led the Mules to a 185-63 (.746) overall record and is the only coach in school history to take a Mules team to the Final Four two times, win three MIAA Tournament titles, or win 24 games five times.

The Mules lead the all-time series, 32-21, including both games last season. SBU will look to end a run of six of the last eight going to Central Missouri.

LAST TIME OUT FOR THE BEARCATS
Six Bearcats scored double-figures, with junior Nick James' 19 points leading the way, as the SBU Bearcats had a Thanksgiving feast a day early, in a 111-80 win over the St. Mary's (Kan.) Spires.

The Bearcats had their best night from the perimeter this year, hitting 21 three-pointers (21-of-48, 43.8%), with Nick James hitting a team-high five treys. “We're a much better team when we can shoot the ball,” said coach Guiot after his team's final tune-up before the MIAA schedule begins next week. “We moved the ball well, and we shot well. It was a good win for us.” As a team, SBU had 22 assists, three more than the previous high this year of 19 against Central BIble College. Senior point guard Tomas Brock led the 'Cats with five, while Tre Smith and Kurt Koenig each had four.

Sophomore Stephen Cotten saw some playing time for the first time this year, coming back from injury. The Eldon, Mo. native scored four points and pulled down three rebounds in just 12 minutes on the court.

QUICK HITS
• Junior Ryan Dougherty currently leads the team with 13.2 points per game, shooting 49.2% from the floor, including 40% from three.

• SBU has won 45 of the last 48 games at the Meyer Sports Center, including a streak of 38 straight wins that stretches from 2007-10. Last weekend's win over Drury marked Coach Guiot's 70th win in Bolivar.

• Senior Kurt Koenig is the second leading scorer for the Bearcats (12.7 ppg), and one of two players averaging double-figures. Koenig also has a team-best 5.2 rebounds.

• After senior Tomas Brock led the MIAA in minutes last season (32.7 min/game), and five other Bearcats logged at least 25 minutes per game, Coach Guiot has spread the playing time around this season, with just two players (Dougherty and Brock) are regularly logging 25 minutes on the court per game.


• SBU is averaging 85.7 points per game this season, slightly higher than the league-leading 85.5 points from last year. The Bearcats have also increased their average number of points allowed, however up from 79.9 a year ago, to 82.3 in 2010-11.

• The Bearcats have just four non-conference losses since 2008-09, going 18-4 against non-MIAA opponents.

• Twice now, a Bearcat has come within a rebound of recording the season's first double-double: Koenig and Robson Memnon each had nine rebounds against Missouri S&T, and scored in double-figures.

• The freshman duo of Zach Kleine and Lane Barlow continue to make an impact coming off the SBU bench. Kleine and Barlow average a combined 12.6 points per game, a number that has risen with every game this season.

SCOUTING THE MULES
Ranked 14th in Division II this week, the Central Missouri Mules will bring a four-game winning streak into Bolivar. The Mules' lone defeat came at the hands of Central Oklahoma, who held Central Missouri to just 38.1% shooting and a 20% clip from three, their lowest percentages of the season.

Four Mules average double-figures, with Tyrone Young leading the team with 16.0 points per game. Junior guard Boo Hunter is close behind, with 15 per game, while Reggie Stallings and Bryce Brunz put in around 10 points per game. Brunz is the Central Missouri deep threat, shooting 48.6% from three.

Lance Beckwith and Joel Barkers anchor the Mules' frontcourt, averaging 6.0 and 6.3 rebounds respectively.