January 12, 2007
Rattlers Look to Continue Recent Roll: Thanks to a win in their first Heartland Conference game, the Rattlers are one of just two undefeated teams in the HC so far this season. Dallas Baptist, in its first year of basketball, upset Incarnate Word earlier this season to pick up its first Heartland win. After Saturday’s game the Rattlers will host cross-town rival the University of the Incarnate Word on Monday, then head off on a five-game road trip. St. Mary’s has been especially strong over the last three games, outscoring their opponents, 70.7 to 57.3, while winning each of those games. Three Rattlers are averaging in double figures in scoring over that stretch, led by Marcus Hill with 12.7.
About St. Mary’s: The Rattlers enter this week’s play red-shot, winners of their last three games. They rolled past Texas-Permian Basin, 76-50, in their last outing. No Rattler is scoring in double figures this season, but five are averaging eight points or more per game. Jarvis Lee leads St. Mary’s with 9.8 points per game. As a team the Rattlers are scoring 67.1, while allowing 61.7. They shoot 47.5 percent from the field and hold their opponents to 42.0 percent. St. Mary’s is also outrebounding its opponents 36.3 to 30.8. St. Mary’s is 7-4 at home this season and is approaching the end of a 12-game homestand.
About Dallas Baptist: The Patriots bring a 4-9 overall record into Saturday’s game and recently ended a five-game losing streak with a surprising 72-71 win over Incarnate Word in Dallas. Thursday night UIW got a measure of revenge, defeating DBU 72-61 in San Antonio. They fell to St. Edward’s in Austin in their first Heartland contest, 88-83. Nick Michels leads the Patriots with 16.9 points per game, while Dwight Coleman is picking up 10.5. As a team DBU is scoring 70.0 per contest, while allowing 76.9. They shoot 44.1 percent from the field and allow opponents to hit on 45.6 percent of their shots. The Patriots are being outrebounded for the season 35.2 to 34.1. They are also committing 18.8 turnovers per game.
St. Mary’s vs. Dallas Baptist: This will be the first-ever meeting between the schools.
About Incarnate Word: The Cardinals have been strong of late, winning three of their last four games and stand at 6-8 overall this season. They avenged a 72-71 loss to Dallas Baptist in Dallas last week with a 72-61 win over the Patriots in San Antonio on Thursday. Jason Gant leads a trio of Cardinals scoring in double figures this season with 16.2 points per game. Mikyl Bradshaw (11.7) and Pierce Caldwell (11.4) also are scoring in double figures. As a team UIW is scoring 73.6 points, while allowing 73.1 points per game. The Cardinals are shooting 46.0 percent from the field, while opponents hit on 43.8 percent. They are outrebounding their opponents 38.0 to 33.5.
St. Mary’s vs. Incarnate Word: St. Mary’s leads the all-time series between the schools 27-19, including wins in the last four meetings and eight of the last nine. The Rattlers are 17-11 against the Cardinals at St. Mary’s and have won the last five meetings at Bill Greehey Arena. The Rattlers defeated UIW 55-38 at St. Mary’s last season and 67-52 at UIW. St. Mary’s won 67-65 at St. Mary’s and 67-52 at UIW in 2004-05.
St. Mary’s Rolls to Third Straight Win, 76-50 Over UTPB: St. Mary’;s shot 51.9 percent from the field and used an overwhelming advantage in rebounding to defeat Texas-Permian Basin, 76-50. Latez Williams led the way for the Rattlers with 14 points and nine rebounds. He was joined in double figures by Rod Bellard who had 10 points, including two three-point baskets. Jawan Bailey pulled down a season-high 12 rebounds to lead all players. Allen Coleman had eight points and six assists. St. Mary’s shot a solid 51.9 percent from the field, making 28-of-54 shots. They also hit on 37.5 percent of their shots from three-point range (6-of-16).