November 22, 2008 2:00 PM Quincy University Pepsi Arena Quincy, Ill.
BOLIVAR, Mo. -- The SBU Bearcats will take their 1-0 record on the road and face the Quincy University Lady Hawks.
"Quincy returns five starters," said SBU's head coach, JC Carter. "They were 20-10 last season, average nine 3's each game, out-rebound their opponents by 9, and have a player who averaged 20 points last season. We'll focus on picking them up early in transition, to discourage them from getting a good shot off as quickly as they would like."
"Our practices this week have been intense, which is something we'll have to take on the road with us on Saturday - as we play this veteran team. The key for us is a complete team defensive effort - we have to communicate with each other. And on offense, we'll push the ball."
SBU is 6-0 all-time against Quincy. The teams played five times during the years 1990-1994, then resumed the series last season. The Bearcats won last year's game, 80-64, in Bolivar. Erika Souza (now an SBU assistant coach) scored 23 points, grabbed 7 rebounds, and dished out 9 assists in the game. Rachel Graves had 22 points and 8 rebounds in the game.
Quincy is 3-0 on the season. They defeated Saginaw Valley 102-64 in their season opener (in the Tip Off Tournament), then won the tournament with a victory over Lincoln 89-53. Their most recent win was over Truman State, 76-58, of the MIAA.
The Lady Hawks are led by Jessica Keller's 18 points per game, who is the reigning GLVC Player of the Week.
The Bearcats counter with Courtney Creed (19 points against Northeastern State), Rachel Graves (14 points against Northeastern State), and Mia Gilreath (14 points against Northeastern State).
The Bearcats shot 47.4% in their season opener. They connected on 14 of 36 from downtown (38.9%) and shot a 64.3% rate from the charity stripe. The Bearcats continued their good passing from last season, picking up 18 assists (7 of which were Creed's) against the Redhawks.
Saturday's game can be heard on KBFL, 99.9 FM.
In other news, head coach JC Carter announced that three players will be Bearcats for the SBU womens basketball team.
Joining Kristen Link, the 6-1 forward/center from Fair Grove High School (who had previously signed), are Pazley Currie, Brooke Jurgensmeyer and Chastity Prince.
Pazley Currie is a 5'2 point guard from Springfield Central High School. She averages 10.8 ppg, 2.3 apg, and 3.8 rpg and will major in Pre-Med.
"We are extremely excited about Pazsley Currie joining our program. She is a winner, and that is evident by the success she has had by playing at Central High School and for Coach Dan Stander. She is not only very gifted on the court as a proven leader at the point guard position but she is also a phenomenal student who will be majoring in pre-med. I truly believe we got a steal in an individual who is going to take us to the next level," said Carter.
Brooke Jurgensmeyer is a 6'0 guard/forward from Osceloa High School. She averages 14.5 ppg and 6.8 rpg. During her high school career she has been named All-Conference, All-District, All-State and All-State Academic. Brooke will join her older sister Ashley at SBU who is part of the Bearcat volleyball team
Coach Carter said: "Brooke is a very gifted and skilled athlete especially for her size at 60 tall. She can really shoot the three, and does a great job of defending a smaller quick guard. The one thing that I really noticed and especially liked was her toughness. There are not enough tough players out there, and tough players will win you a lot of games."
Chasity Prince is a 5'10 guard/forward from Columbia Hickman HS. She averages 11 ppg and 4 rpg. She has been named All-District in high school.
Coach Carter stated "Chasity, will be another great signee that is a proven winner. She joins us from Columbia Hickman, where they were 21-7 last season. We feel she fits right in with the other guards we have signed, because of her ability to shoot the three. She hit 63 threes last season, so we will be counting on her to step right in for us a threat from outside."
"The one thing I can say about all of these young ladies, is not only are they very talented athletes, but they all do outstanding in the classroom. We are really blessed to have such a great recruiting class; we know they are all going to have outstanding careers," added Coach Carter.
Carter commented last week on Link "Kristen comes from a solid family, her Mom went to SBU, so they are very familiar with the school which will be good for her. She shoots the ball well from the outside, especially for her height and is good at running the floor, which will fit perfect with our up-tempo style. We are excited to have her here and will be looking for her to fill a big role when it comes to rebounding."
Game Notes
