Bolivar, Mo. – After winning in Kirksville for the first time in 16 years, the SBU men's basketball team returns to action this week after 10 days off. All non-conference games, the Bearcats will compete at Newman University (Tuesday), before hosting Missouri Southern (Friday) and Williams Baptist (Saturday) in the Meyer Center.
 
The Bearcats enter this week with a 5-4 overall record and 2-2 in the GLVC.  So far, they have been strong at bouncing back after each loss, not falling in two straight games, largely due to putting together a 3-0 home record. As a team, they rank as the 15^th best defensive team in the Nation only allowing 62.8 points per game. One of the reasons behind this, is the ability to keep their opponents off the free throw line. Only fouling 12.8 times per game, they are the 3^rd best team in the Nation in that regard.
 
Scoring has been spread throughout the team with four members averaging double figures. Leading the way is junior Zac Reedus scoring 18.4 PPG, averaging 20.3 in GLVC play. One of the big standouts recently has been Jevin Sullivan recording back-to-back double-doubles averaging 19.5 PPG and 13.0 RPG in the last two games. Since his career high 23 points against Drury, sophomore Brandon Moore has continued to step up. On the season he is averaging 13.0 PPG and leads the team with 14 steals.  
 
With three of their first four GLVC games on the road, having a 2-2 record entering Christmas break is strong start. Now the Bearcats take a break from conference to take on MIAA opponent Newman University, Tuesday, at 3:00pm in Wichita, Kansas. This is the second all-time matchup between these two foes, with the Jets winning last season.
 
Later in the week, SBU will host Missouri Southern on Friday at 3:00 p.m. and Williams Baptist on Saturday at 3:00 p.m. Last season the Bearcats fell to the Missouri Southern Lions in overtime in Joplin. Against the Williams Baptist Eagles, Southwest Baptist has won the last nine games played including a 93-54 victory last year.
 
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