Game Notes (PDF)

Date: February 18, 2021
Time: 7:00 PM
Location: Bolivar, MO

Bolivar, Mo. - Southwest Baptist (12-5) returns home for their final home stretch of the season. Thursday's matchup will feature the Lewis Flyers (9-8). This will be the first and only matchup between the teams during the regular season.

SCOUTING THE BEARCATS
The Bearcats bounced back last time out, defeating the Indianapolis Greyhounds to put an end to their three game skid. After falling behind by 13, SBU completed the comeback and defeated UINDY 88-80, improving to 12-5 on the season. Once again, the Bearcats received votes in the latest coaches poll.

SBU leads the GLVC in field goal % defense, holding opponents to 40.6%. They rank 2nd in rebounding margin (+6.1) and scoring margin (+8.7). Their scoring defense (69.2 ppg) and field goal % (47.3%) are third best in the conference. Individually, Quinn Nelson (16.6 ppg) and Brady Smith (15.2 ppg) rank 10th and 12th in the scoring category. Smith and Mitch Ganote are the best rebounders on the team, averaging 5.8 and 5.5 respectively. All three are top 15 in field goal %, Ganote at 55.1% (5th), Nelson at 52.6% (10th), and Smith at 50.8% (15th). Ganote also leads the team in assists at 4.24 per game, 6th most in the GLVC. Nelson now has the third-most three's made in SBU history at 181 and is 79 points from 1,000 career. His 282 points this season leads the team.

The Bearcats are coming off their best season in program history since 2009-10. Last year, the Bearcats finished 20-9 (13-7 GLVC). In the regular season rankings, the Bearcats finished fourth out of the sixteen GLVC teams. They upset #12 Southern Indiana and #1 Bellarmine both on the road, and defeated Drury at home for the first time in eight years. Eight players return from last year's roster. Second team All-GLVC honoree Brady Smith returns for his senior campaign. Two other starters from last season also return in juniors Quinn Nelson and Joe Miller. Sophomore Mitch Ganote was SBU's sixth man last season, and will play quite a bit during the 2020-21 season. The Bearcats will see several other new faces make an impact as well.

SCOUTING THE FLYERS
The Lewis Flyers (Romeoville, Ill.) come into Thursday's matchup one game above .500 at 9-8. After beginning the season with a 65-86 loss to nationally ranked Truman State, the Flyers went on a 6-1 streak through early January. The loss was a 52-70 final against McKendree, but Lewis defeated McKendree in the game prior, 78-63. Following that streak, they then had a 5-game losing streak before beating Quincy on the road. The Flyers have won their past two, defeating William Jewell in a close matchup and handling Rockhurst for the second time this year. In the GLVC, they have the second best rebounding offense, hauling in 36.1 per game. Only two players are averaging double-digits, Trevian Bell (11.9 ppg) and Bruno Williams (11.3 ppg). The 6'8" junior, Connor Niego, leads the team with 7.9 rebounds per game.

THE COACHES
SBU head coach Clark Sheehy begins his seventh season on the SBU bench after compiling an 82-92 (45-73 conf.) record while at SBU. Coach Sheehy holds a career coaching record of 264-198 across fifteen seasons while coaching six different All-Americans and over 40 athletes that have moved on to play professional basketball.

Scott Trost enters his 15th season on the Flyers bench and is the program's all-time winningest coach. Five times Trost has led the team to 20+ win seasons and NCAA Tournament births. His career coaching record sits at 413-241 (.631).

ALL-TIME SERIES
The Bearcats trail the all-time series 0-2. Last year, the teams met in Bolivar where the Flyers defeated the Bearcats 60-78. Brady Smith had 13 points and 5 rebounds in the loss.