Truman State Men's basketball hosts GLVC opponents William Jewell, Rockhurst, and SBU in five days. The Bulldogs play William Jewell on Thursday, January 12th, at 7:30 p.m., Rockhurst on Saturday, January 14th, at 3 p.m., and SBU on Monday, January 16th, at 3 p.m.
Against William Jewell:
William Jewell is 7-8 (4-3 in GLVC play). They are on a one-game losing streak, following a 67-66 loss to Quincy University on January 7th. They average 69.5 points per game, and give up 67.1. Jermain Jordan leads the Cardinals in points per game, averaging 15.1. There are two other double-digit scorers, with Mason Alexander averaging 11.9, and Kobe McKinley averaging 10.6. Heri Tshiyoyo's 8.8 rebounds per game lead the team, followed by 4.3 from Kobe McKinley. Mason Alexander dishes out a team-high 3.5 assists per game, followed by 2.6 from Jermain Jordan.
Against Rockhurst:
Truman has a 31-17 all-time record against Rockhurst, and the Bulldogs are 7-3 in the last ten matchups. Truman is 19-5 at home against Rockhurst, and 9-11 on the road. The Bulldogs largest margin of victory was 73-31 in 1948. The Hawks score 73.0 points per game, and allow 69.6 points for a 3.4 scoring margin. Rich Byhre is the top scorer in the GLVC, putting up 19.9 points per game, and is also the leading rebounder in the conference with 9.8. Byhre averages 1.1 assists, 0.7 steals, and 1.1 blocks per game. He shoots 56% from the field, and 39% from three.
Against SBU:
Truman State has a 23-30 all-time record against the Bearcats of Southwest Baptist. Truman upset SBU earlier this season, defeating the Bearcats 73-63 on 12/10/23 in Bolivar, Mo. SBU scores 79.6 points per game, and give up 66.0. Their +13.6 scoring margin is third-best in the GLVC. Ozark, Mo. native Quinn Nelson scores 14.4 points per game. RJ Crawford is a close second with 13.9, followed by Drenin Dinkins with 12.0, and Noah Franklin with 10.6. Mitch Ganote leads in rebounds with 6.9, assists with 5.5, and steals with 1.3.
Bulldog Tidbits:
Truman is coming off a 85-74 loss to Quincy on January 5th. Truman faced a 26-point deficit with 19:45 left in the second half, with a score of 54-28. The Bulldogs did not give up, and slowly cut away at Quincy's lead. In the end, Quincy was able to hold their lead and win by 11. Four Bulldogs reached double-digit points, with Xavier Hall leading Truman in points. Hall had 12, followed by Hunter Strait, Elijah Hazekamp, and CE Talton with 10. Strait led in assists with five, and Hazekamp grabbed a team-high nine rebounds.
Elijah Hazekamp leads the team in scoring with 14.4 points per game. Hazekamp grabs 7.4 boards per game along with 1.6 assists and 0.6 steals.
Hunter Strait is second in scoring with 11.1, and he averages 2.9 rebounds, and 2.6 assists.
Freshman Xavier Hall averages a team-high 3.5 assists, and scores 8.6 points per game.
Truman State has two away games following the game against SBU. The Bulldogs play at Missouri S&T on Thursday, January 19th, at 7:30 p.m., and at Drury on Saturday, January 21st, and 3 p.m.
