SBU BEARCATS (1-0) Host Missouri Baptist University Spartans (2-2)

November 18, 2008 • 7:00 PM • John Q. Hammons Court • Bolivar, Mo.

BOLIVAR, Mo. -- The SBU Bearcats will defend their 1-0 record on Tuesday, by returning to Bolivar to face the Spartans of Missouri Baptist. SBU owns an 11-1 record in the all-time series with Missouri Baptist, which includes a 113-84 victory during the 2006-07 season, the last time the teams met. The game against the Spartans two years ago was SBU's Matt Rogers' second game in a Bearcat uniform. Rogers scored 14 in the contest , rebounded 7, and (in a sign of things to come) blocked four Missouri Baptist shots.

"We'll have to be ready to play," said SBU's head coach, Jeff Guiot. " Missouri Baptist played SEMO to within eight points. This is a good team coming in here on Tuesday. We have no time to celebrate Saturday's win [against Division-I Utah]. Basketball is a game where you have to stay humble, or you will be humbled. We are going to play the way we play."

Missouri Baptist stands at 2-2 during the 2008-09 season. After dropping the exhibition match with SEMO, 81-73, the Spartans lost to Missouri Valley College (75-64), won against Logan University (79-75), lost to Avila (82-70), and won against Lindenwood University (101-93).

The Bearcats are coming back to town with what is arguably the biggest win in SBU history, a 80-79 defeat of Utah on Saturday in the season opener. SBU put five players in double figures in the victory (Brock 16, Clemons 15, Harris 15, Kovacevich 14, Rogers 12). SBU made 16 of 32 from long range in the contest. The win was Jeff Guiot's 300th as a collegiate head coach.

Game Notes