PREVIEW: Men's Basketball - Puget Sound (11/25) | Pacific Lutheran (11/26)
MULTIMEDIA COVERAGE
(University of Puget Sound 11/25)
(Pacific Lutheran University 11/26)
SOCIAL MEDIA
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Men's Basketball Twitter: @UDallasMBB
Facebook: University of Dallas Athletics
Instagram: udallassports
OPENING TIP
The University of Dallas men's basketball team (1-2) plays the final two games of a season-long, five-game road trip in the PLU Thanksgiving Tournament on November 25-26. Dallas takes on University of Puget Sound on the neutral court at 8 p.m. (CST) first, and host Pacific Lutheran University at 6 p.m. (CST) on Saturday.
The Crusaders are looking to bounce back from two setbacks this past weekend at Covenant College. The host team knocked UD back 100-67 and LaGrange College posted a 77-60 final. The Crusaders were up most of the first half in Saturday's tilt, leading by as many as eight. After being ahead 32-26, LaGrange surged on a 19-6 run to help gain a 45-38 halftime edge.
UD NOTABLES
- Dallas is 1-2 in contests away from the Maher Center this season. The victory was a season-opening one point decision in overtime.
- Michael Sarrat (Colleyville, Texas) has scored the most points for UD with 38 and is a averaging 12.7-clip.
- Darrius Colvin (Waco, Texas) is closely behind with 33 points and is the other Crusader averaging double figures a game with 11. He also leads the team in rebounds (22) and blocks (2).
- Prince Giadolor (Rockwall, Texas) and Tom Kaiser (Nashville, Tenn.) are averaging 8.3 points-per-game (ppg) apiece.
- Top three players in made field goals, all eclipsing 10, include: Sarrat (13), Colvin (12), and Kaiser (11).
A LOOK AT THE OPPONENTS
(University of Puget Sound)
The Loggers (2-1) fell to St. Thomas (Minn.) last Saturday in a 78-74 decision during the Doug McArthur Classic. That was their first setback of the young campaign. Friday is the first contest not on Puget Sound's home court.
Puget Sound is averaging 85.3 ppg and 50.0 rebounds-per-game. The scoring average is helped largely from a 117-41 victory in the season opener on Nov. 15. Kohl Meyer is averaging 15.7 ppg in all three games. Jimmy Wohrer has appeared in two games and averaged 20.5 points in the pair. Carlos Mancasola tallied 23 points in the most recent outing against St. Thomas. Meyer is also the team leader in rebounds-per-game and assists-per-game with 10.3 and 4.7-marks, respectively. Zach Miller is averaging 9.3 boards per contest for second on the squad.
Friday marks the first time these programs will play each other in history.
(Pacific Lutheran University)
The Lutes (2-2) fell in their home opener on Tuesday against Northwest University by a final score of 78-73. The team has averaged 74.8 ppg and allowed 78.0 through four contests. Pacific Lutheran is home for two more games as part of a three-game home stand. The team hosts the PLU Thanksgiving Tournament and plays Whittier College on Friday before the Crusaders on Saturday.
Brandon Lester leads all players in scoring with 74 points and is averaging 18 and a half. Dylan Foreman is averaging 14 and Jared Christy is second in point total with 54 (13.5 ppg). Kyle Sawtell (12.0) and Tyson Birrer (10.5) round out a quintet of Lutes averaging double-digits in points. Christy is the leading rebounder with 50 and assists with 15. Lester has also dished 12 dimes.
Historically, this is the first time these squads will meet on the court.
UP NEXT
Dallas is home for the first time this campaign as the calendar flips to December. The Crusaders will take on Southwestern Adventist University around 8 p.m. following the women's tip on the 1st day of the month.