ROCHESTER, N.Y. (March 12, 2013) – The Men's Basketball team is set to take on top-seeded Fresno Pacific (Calif.) University in the opening round of the NCCAA National Championships tomorrow afternoon.
The Redhawks, who are the eighth seed, are making their second trip to the tournament in three years.
SCOUTING ROBERTS WESLEYAN (9-18/4-14 ECC)
The Redhawks are looking to finish the season on a high note after struggling through their first season in the competitive East Coast Conference. The team qualified for the tournament by defeating Houghton College, 72-43, in the NCCAA East Region final last week.
Roberts Wesleyan brings a mix of experienced veterans and young talent into this year's tournament.
Senior forward
Devin Grimes, who is recovering from a shoulder injury, led the team with excellent numbers. Grimes finished with 14.3 points per game and 11.5 rebounds per game as she shot 45.4% from the floor. He also was second on the team in assists.
Tyrel Dixon, a freshman, paced Roberts Wesleyan with a team-high 322 points this season, averaging 11.9 points per game. The small forward shot 48.3% from the field while leading the Redhawks in steals.
Fellow underclassman,
Mike Stone, is the primary long range shooter as the guard led the team by shooting 40.3% from three-point range. Stone, who averages 10.9 points per game, led the team in assists.
SCOUTING FRESNO PACIFIC (20-7/14-4 PWC)
The Sunbirds posted a successful inaugural season in the PacWest Conference by finishing second in the standings. Fresno Pacific is like Roberts Wesleyan as they are in Candidacy Year Two in their transition to from the NAIA to the NCAA Division II. Due to their transition, the Sunbirds are not eligible for their conference's post-season tournament.
Fresno Pacific has four players scoring in double-figures, but are led by junior guard John Taylor's 26.3 points per game. Taylor is shooting 44.0% from the field, 30.4% from three-point range, and 76.3% at the free throw line.
Antonio Credit, a senior forward, leads the team in rebounding with an average of 7.6 rebounds per game. Credit is fourth on the team in scoring with 11.1 points per game.
As a team, the Sunbirds averaging 88.6 points per game and are shooting 47.1% from the field.
UP NEXT
The winner advances to the semifinals where they will face the winner of the #4Mid-America (Okla.) Christian University /#5 Shorter (Ga.) University game on Thursday.
The loser will fall into the loser's bracket, facing the loser the #4/#5 game.
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