Posted: Feb 21, 2015
MidAmerica Nazarene (8-16, 7-8) at Central Methodist (18-9, 8-7)
Saturday, Feb. 21 - 4 p.m. CT
Fayette, Mo. - Puckett Field House
Live Video, Audio and Stats: CMUEagles.com
Talent: Brett Knese
Twitter: @cmueagles (#CMUMvsMNU)
FAYETTE, Mo. - Central Methodist looks to get its first regular-season sweep of MidAmerica Nazarene (Kan.) since 2009-10 when the two teams get together Saturday inside Puckett Field House for a Heart of America Athletic Conference (HAAC) contest, with tip-off set for 4 p.m. CT.
Fans can follow the game via live video, audio and statistics online and through updates on Central Methodist's Twitter account (@cmueagles). Brett Knese will call the action starting 10 minutes prior to tip-off.
The Pioneers have alternated wins and loses in their last four games. Before, coach Rocky Lamar's squad followed a seven-game losing streak with a three-game winning streak. MidAmerica Nazarene ranks fifth in NAIA Division I in assists per game (17.1), sixth in blocks per game (4.5), eighth in free throw percentage (0.740), 19th in assist/turnover ratio (1.1), 21st in 3-point field goal percentage (0.372) and defensive rebounds per game (26.9) and 28th in field goal percentage (0.462). Cale Brubaker ranks second in 3-point field goal percentage (0.493), 15th in assists per game (4.9) and 16th in assist/turnover ration (2.3). Justin Randall is 10th in blocks per game (2.0) and 23rd in field goal percentage (0.531). Nate Launius is 26th in points per game (18.3).
Central Methodist Notes
Coach Jeff Sherman is one of only five active NAIA Division I men's basketball head coaches to have been at the helm for 30 or more seasons. Sherman is five wins shy of the 550 plateau, which only six active head coaches have surpassed.
For the second-straight contest, Sherman's team will be without three players (John Palmer, Eric McDaniel, Mitchell Wendling) who have started at least one-third of the games this season. Wendling was the latest casualty, suffering an ankle injury in the second half of the 101-97 overtime victory versus Avila (Mo.) on Feb. 14.
Central Methodist has won two-straight games and four of the last five meetings against the Pioneers in Fayette, which includes rallying from a 16-point deficit in the final 12:24 of last year's game. The Eagles scored the game-winning layup with 5.6 seconds left to defeat MidAmerica Nazarene, 74-73.
The Eagles have been ranked or receiving votes in the last five NAIA Division I Men's Basketball Coaches' Top 25 Polls.
Mitchell Farr has averaged 19.3 points in three career games against MidAmerica Nazarene.�
Central Methodist leads NAIA Division I in assists (462) and ranks fourth in assist/turnover ratio (1.3), eighth in 3-pointers made (232), 13th in scoring offense (2170), 14th in rebound margin (5.2), 16th in scoring margin (11.7) and turnover margin (2.6), 21st in rebound defense (33.3) and rebound offense (1039), 23rd in 3-point field goal percentage defense (0.316), 24th in scoring defense per game (68.6) and steals (226) and 25th in 3-point field goal percentage (0.370).
The Eagles are 19-10 in their last 29 conference games.
Cody Anderson ranks third in NAIA Division I in assist/turnover ratio (3.3) and 41st in assists (89). Farr is 11th in 3-pointers made (75) and 39th in scoring (421). Scott Stegeman is 19th in offensive rebounds per game (2.9) and 20th in rebounds (206).
The Eagles are 12-2 when Quinten Hunter scores 12 or more points in a contest.
Central Methodist is 16-5 when making at least 10 free throws in a game.
Mike McCode has scored in double figures in 15 of the last 16 games.�
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