Men's Basketball Notes: Maryville

Truman @ Maryville (Mo.) – Saturday, Nov. 19, 3:00 pm
Moloney Arena (Simon Athletic Center); St. Louis, Missouri
Audio: 104.7 FM – KRES (Moberly, Mo.); Also streamed online at CentralMOInfo.com
Video: None Available
Live Stats: Link Available at TrumanBulldogs.com

PDF Notes

Game Preview:
The Truman men's basketball team will close a hectic stretch of three games in five days this weekend with a Saturday afternoon trip to Maryville University in St. Louis. The Bulldogs and Saints will tipoff inside Moloney Arena at 3:00 pm.

The Bulldogs have won the first two in this three-game stretch, picking up a 99-51 win against Central Christian on Tuesday night in Kirksville before adding a 76-62 victory in Des Moines, Iowa, on Thursday night at Grand View University. Junior guard Tom Norton hit seven three-pointers en route to a career-high 27 points against the GVU Vikings, helping the Bulldogs pull away in the second half for the win.

While Truman will carry a 2-2 record into Saturday afternoon's contest, the MU Saints will be playing for just the second time this year after a season-opening 79-35 win against Principia on Monday, Nov. 14. The Saints are members of the Great Lakes Valley Conference and went 7-19 last season (3-15 in the GLVC).

With Maryville only recently making the transition out of the NAIA and Division III ranks into Division II, the series history between the squads is rather limited. Truman won the only previous meeting between the squads on Dec. 3, 2003 – an 83-69 decision in Kirksville. Saturday will mark the first meeting in St. Louis.

Last Time Out:
Truman 76, at Grand View 62
DES MOINES, IOWA - - Junior guard Tom Norton had the most prolific night of three-point shooting in nearly five years for the Truman men's basketball team, as his seven triples helped the Bulldogs notch a 76-62 road victory at Grand View (Iowa) University on Thursday night.

After the Bulldogs went just 2-for-8 from long-range in a first half that led to a 29-25 halftime lead, Truman – specifically Norton and freshman Mike Carlson – caught fire in the second half, combining to go 8-for-10 from deep and lead the purple and white to 47 second half points. The Bulldogs led by as many as 18 with 9:00 minutes to play, but timely baskets and solid free throw shooting helped the host Vikings linger – cutting the deficit to just seven with 4:27 to go.

However, sophomore Marek Bush finished a put-back off a miss and Norton connected on his seventh triple of the night two possessions later to help the 'Dogs push the lead back to 12 at 70-58 with 2:30 to go. The Bulldog defense clamped down after the lead was cut to seven, as Truman didn't allow a Grand View field goal in the final four-plus minutes.

The 27 points marked a new career-high for Norton, as his seven three-pointers were the most by any Bulldog since Nick Certa's seven-triple outing on Feb. 21, 2007 against Emporia State. He went 8-for-12 from the floor overall (7-for-11 from 3-pt range) and 4-for-4 from the charity stripe to lead all players in scoring. Junior EJ Hicks scored 14 points on 6-of-9 shooting, while freshman Seth Jackson chipped in 12. Carlson posted the squad's most balanced line, finishing the night with nine points, seven assists and six rebounds. For the game, Truman shot 54% from the field and 56% from long-distance. The 'Dogs out-rebounded GVU 28-26 and held the Vikings to a 42% field goal mark.

Bulldog Tip-Ins:
·       The Bulldogs are off to a 2-2 start in 2011-12 after going 7-19 (5-17 MIAA) last year.
·       Truman is shooting 47.4% from the field as a team, including 38.5% (35-for-91) from three-point range.
·       The Bulldogs are connecting at a 70.5% (55-for-78) mark from the free throw line.
·       Truman is out-rebounding opponents by a 2.3 margin per game (35.8-33.5).
·       Freshman guard Seth Jackson, after missing the first two games of the season, is the team's scoring leader at 18.5 ppg. He is a perfect 10-for-10 from the FT line.
·       Junior guard Tom Norton is averaging 18.0 ppg and is the team-leader in three-pointers made with 15. Hit is 17-for-18 (94%) from the FT line and has 11 assists this year.
·       Norton's 7 three-pointers against Grand View marked the most by any Bulldog since 2007.
·       Redshirt freshman forward Mike Carlson is averaging 14.8 ppg, a team-high 6.3 rpg and 4.0 apg. He is hitting 55% of this three-pointers (6-for-11) and is 72% from the FT line.
·       Sophomore guard Isaac Gardner is the team's leading defensive-rebounder with 19. He is also averaging 9.3 ppg and has hit 10 three-pointers.
·       Junior guard EJ Hicks is averaging 8.8 ppg off the bench and is shooting 57%.
·       Freshman center Patrick Burmester is the team's leader in blocks with six. He is shootng 62% from the field.

Scouting the Saints:
The Saints enter Saturday's contest at 1-0, having picked up a season-opening home victory against Principia. As a result, the team has limited statistical numbers but were led with 14 points apiece by both Asa Toney and Mike Ford. Each added four rebounds, while Toney chipped in four steals. Ryan Shotkoski ran the point and handed out six assists, as the Saints forced 20 Principia turnovers and held the squad to just 23% shooting.

Kevin Carroll is in his second season at the helm in St. Louis.

Second Half Success:
The Bulldogs have had great success in second-half action this season, out-scoring their opponents on an average of 45-33. Truman is shooting 55% from the field in the final 20 minutes of action through four games, and are hitting from long-range at 53% (24-for-45).

Overall, Truman has hit 20 more field goals than their opposition in second halves this year and has forced created ten additional turnovers.

MIAA Coaches/Media Poll:
In the annual conference coaches and media polls, released on Oct. 26 by the conference office, Truman was picked tenth in both out of 11 teams. Missouri Southern was the preseason favorite in both.

Up Next:
The Bulldogs will take on the next chapter in a long-time rivalry with Quincy (Ill.) University on Tuesday night in Pershing Arena, as Truman will welcome the Hawks for a 7:30 pm tipoff. The game will be part of the Athletic Department's “Hoops for Hunger” promotion, where two canned food items will allow for free admission to the Truman/Quincy men's and women's doubleheader.

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