KIRKSVILLE, Mo.—The Truman Men's Basketball team went 2-1 over their three game road trip last week and remain tied with Bellarmine and Rockhurst at second on the GLVC. This week the Bulldogs will welcome William Jewell and Rockhurst, one of the two GLVC teams that defeated them, to Pershing Arena—looking to remain unbeaten on their home court.
Brodric Thomas has taken over the lead in the conference in scoring average at 21.0 points per game, and has now moved into the top ten in the GLVC in rebounds per game at 6.8. He tied a season high with five three pointers against Quincy and set new season highs in assists with eight and steals with four. He had his first double-double of the season against the Cardinals in Liberty earlier this season with 22 points and 12 rebounds. Cade McKnight set new career highs with 27 points and six assists at Quincy on Monday, and is now second on the team with 14.5 points per game and third on the team with 4.5 rebounds per game.
Truman maintains their place at third in the GLVC in scoring defense, allowing 67.2 points per game and is eighth in the conference in scoring margin at +5.2. The Bulldogs are fourth in the conference in shooting percentage at .481 and sixth in field goal defense; allowing opponents to shoot just .426 from the field.
The Opponents:
Rockhurst held the Bulldogs to a season low 53 points in Kansas City on January 2nd, the first GLVC loss of the season for Truman. The Hawks are fifth in the GLVC in scoring margin so far this season at +9.2. They are fifth in scoring defense, allowing 68.4 points per game while scoring 77.6. Two Hawks rank in the top 15 in the conference in scoring—Curtis Lewis at 4th in points per game with 18.3 and Quinton Curry is 15th at 15.1. Curry is third in the GLVC in rebounds per game with 7.8. The Hawks hold an identical record to Truman at 12-6 with 8-2 in conference and are riding a four game winning streak.
William Jewell comes into the week at 8-10, 3-7 in the GLVC. The Cardinals snapped a five game losing streak with two straight wins this weekend—beating Maryville 83-77 and Missouri S&T 77-71. They hold first place in the conference in three point percentage against—allowing opponents to shoot just .318 from beyond the arc. Eysan Wiley leads the GLVC in rebounds per game at 9.1 and averages 17.7 points per game which leads the team. Nick Bradley leads the team with 66 assists and is second on the team with 10.4 points per game.
Up Next:
The Bulldogs will be home for four games over the next two weeks: after the KC area teams swing through Kirksville the Bulldogs will welcome Lindenwood and current #15 Missouri St.-Louis.
