BELLEVUE, Neb. -- The Bellevue University men's and women's basketball team are in action this weekend with a pair of North Star Athletic Association games apiece. Today, BUBruins.com will give you a quick preview of the action.
Men's Basketball (6-6, 0-1 NSAA) at Dickinson State | Fri., Dec. 9 --- at Valley City State | Sat., Dec. 10
DiSU: Live Stats | Video
VCSU: Live Stats | Video
The men's basketball team seeks their first league win of the 2016-17 season this weekend with a pair of games in North Dakota. The Bruins play at Dickinson State at 8:30 p.m. on Friday and at Valley City State at 8 p.m. on Saturday.
BU won their most recent contest, defeating #25 Briar Cliff, 92-73, to close out a stretch of three-straight games against ranked opposition. That game was already their sixth of the season against a ranked opponent.
Bellevue has shared the ball well this season as four players – BJ Shelton, Jalen Hall, Nick Hilton, and Mike Cardenas – are currently averaging in double figures. As a team BU averages 81.5 points per game while opponents have scored an average of 78.3 per night. The Bruins are one of the top teams in the nation on the glass averaging 39.3 rebounds per game to their opponents' 33.6.
Scouting Dickinson State: The Blue Hawks are 7-4 overall on the season and opened up the conference slate with a pair of victories last weekend, topping both Jamestown (84-81) and Mayville State (81-58) on the road. Dickinson State is a perfect 4-0 at home this season and have averaged an 11.3 point margin of victory in games played at Scott Gymnasium.
Dickinson State has been led by Marcus White's 16.4 points per game while Jerry Shevlin (12.4), Terrell Butler (10.5), and Ryan Clark (10.4) are all scoring at least 10 points per game as well. White leads the way with 7.5 rebounds per game. As a team the Blue Hawks are scoring 77.2 points per game and allowing 65.5 points per game.
Scouting Valley City State: The Vikings are 9-4 overall on the year and got their conference schedule off on a positive note last weekend with road wins over both Mayville State (70-65) and Presentation (88-82). They've played well at home this season sporting a 5-2 record at the W.E. Osmon Fieldhouse.
Valley City is led offensively by Jayden Ferguson's 21.4 points per game as the Vikings have relied on their big three of Ferguson, Rashad Satahoo (18.4) and Austin Dunbar (14.9) to combine for 54.7 points per game which has accounted for 72.2 percent of their points this season. Additionally, that trio rate as three of VCSU's top four rebounders, with Dunbar leading the team with 8.1 rebounds per game. The Vikings are averaging 75.7 points per game and allowing 68.7 points per game on the season.
Bruins Stat Leaders:
Scoring Leaders: BJ Shelton (15.0), Jalen Hall (12.3), Nick Hilton (11.1), Mike Cardenas (10.3), Blake Wilder (7.5)
Rebounding Leaders: Jaffrey Stillman (7.0), Blake Wilder (5.8), BJ Shelton (4.8), Jalen Hall (4.5)
Assist Leaders: Jalen Hall (43), Terrance Wienecke (21), Nick Hilton (19), BJ Shelton (17)
3-Point Leaders: Nick Hilton (36, 44.4%), Mike Cardenas (27, 35.1%), Jerred Cook (17, 44.7%)
Women's Basketball (7-4, 1-0 NSAA) at Dickinson State | Fri., Dec. 9 --- at Valley City State | Sat., Dec. 10
DiSU: Live Stats | Video
VCSU: Live Stats | Video
The women's basketball team seeks to continue their strong start to the league season this weekend with a pair of games in North Dakota. The Bruins play at Dickinson State at 6:30 p.m. on Friday and at Valley City State at 6 p.m. on Saturday.
BU has righted the ship with three-straight victories to move three games over .500 on the year. In their last game – their 2016-17 NSAA season-opener – they defeated Viterbo by a score of 62-57 on the road. Also during their win streak, they knocked off then-No. 25 Haskell Indian Nations for their first victory against a Top 25 team.
Bellevue has a pair of players – Beth Walker, Caletria Curtis – averaging over 10.0 points per game while Ryleigh McCartney is over 8.0 per game, and four other players are averaging between 4.4 and 5.5 per night. BU is averaging 66.0 points per game as a team and surrendering 60.8. On the glass the Bruins have averaged a 43.1-40.1 rebound per game advantage over their opposition.
Scouting Dickinson State: The Blue Hawks are 4-3 overall on the season and split their first two NSAA games last weekend, falling at Jamestown (74-64) and defeating Mayville State (78-77) in overtime. Dickinson State has a solid 3-1 mark in games at Scott Gymnasium this season.
Megan Klein leads four players averaging in double figures with 14.8 points per game on 60.0 percent shooting from the field and 79.3 percent shooting from the line. Ashley Bentz-Laub (13.2), Taylor Henningsgard (13.0), and Paitton Herbst (10.7) are all averaging over 10 points per game as well. Klein is averaging a double-double on the year, as she's pulling down a league-high 17.2 rebounds per game for the Blue Hawks. As a team, Dickinson State is averaging 69.6 points per game to their opponents' 65.4 points per game.
Scouting Valley City State: The Vikings are 10-3 overall on the season and began their conference schedule with a pair of wins over Mayville State (59-56) and Presentation (66-59) last weekend on the road. Valley City is in the midst of a four-game home-stand at the W.E. Osmon Fieldhouse where they are 6-2 on the year.
Valley City is led by Georgia Williams' 14.0 points per game while Lexi Lennon (13.4), Alli Vandal (11.5), and Kennedy Henningsgard (9.8) have all played strong supporting roles offensively. Vandal is the top rebounds for the Vikings averaging 6.5 boards per game. On the season VCSU is averaging 72.8 points per game and holding their opponents to an average of 52.8 points per game.
Bruins Stat Leaders:
Scoring Leaders: Beth Walker (11.8), Caletria Curtis (10.7), Ryleigh McCartney (8.5), Taylor Cormier (5.5), Christen Voyles (5.5)
Rebounding Leaders: Caletria Curtis (8.7), Beth Walker (5.8), Christen Voyles (4.1), Cassidy Hubbs (3.9)
Assist Leaders: Taylor Cormier (32), Caletria Curtis (31), Beth Walker (20)
3-Point Leaders: Ryleigh McCartney (23, 41.8%), Taylor Cormier (10, 40.0%), Angeliece Tucker (10, 25.0%)
