Men’s Hoops Preview: Christian Brothers and Union

LIVINGSTON, Ala.– After a 1-1 road trip and start to the 2019 portion of the schedule, the West Alabama Men's Basketball team returns to Pruitt Hall Gymnasium for two Gulf South Conference contests.

The Tigers are set to host the Christian Brothers Buccaneers Thursday at 7:30 p.m. and the Union Bulldogs Saturday afternoon at 4 p.m.

Last time out for UWA, the team came away with a 69-58 victory over AUM which was only that close thanks to a late run by the Warhawks to lessen the margin of defeat. Four players scored in double figures as Ricky Dunnaway finished with 16 points and eight rebounds; Josh Fleming poured in 12 points; Darron Johnson added 11 points and Charles Tripp finished with 10 points and seven rebounds. DeAndre Harper added 10 rebounds and five points while LaJuan Hardy posted a stat line of 10 assists, six rebounds, five points and two steals.

Fleming serves as the Tigers' leading scorer for the Tigers with an average of 12.4 per game. Dunnaway is right behind him at 9.9 points and averaging 6.3 rebounds per game while Harper serves as the leading rebounder at 6.5 boards a game. LaJuan Hardy holds steady as the leading assist maker at 5.1 assists a game which is good for second in the GSC.

As a unit, UWA is averaging 67.1 points a game and holding opponents to a conference leading 62.3 points a contest. The team is shooting 42.7 percent (298-of-698) from the floor, 31.8 percent (83-of-261) from the three-point line and 68.4 percent (193-of-282) from the free throw line.

Christian Brothers enters the weekend 8-6 overall and 3-3 in the conference currently on a two-game losing skid with the most recent setback being a 73-63 loss to Alabama-Huntsville.

Preseason All-Conference and one the most accomplished players in GSC history Adam Dieball is the leading scorer, rebounder and assist maker for CBU averaging 16.7 points, 8.1 rebounds and 6.5 assists which is at least top three in the conference in the categories this season.

Three other Bucs are scoring in double figures as Joe Lavarie is scoring 16.3 points, Luke Rudy is at 10.7 points a game and Nick Deifel is scoring 10.3 points a game.

As a team, CBU is scoring 73.9 points per game and allowing 70.9 points per game which is sixth and seventh in the conference in the categories, respectively. The offense is scoring at a 47.5 percent (367-of-772) pace from the floor, 36.5 percent (139-of-381) from behind the arc and 76.8 percent (162-of-211) from the free throw line.

Union comes into the weekend 8-6 overall and 3-3 in the conference. They will matchup against AUM Thursday night before coming to Pruitt Hall.

Tyree Boykin is the leading scorer for the Bulldogs with an average of 23.5 points per game, but the sophomore guard has only played in six games and hasn't appeared since a loss to Southern Arkansas on Nov. 24.

Terrandus Smith has stepped up in his absence and is scoring 74.6 points a game and leads the team with 22 steals. Bryson Butler is also in double-digits with 11.9 points and leads in assists at 2.9 a game. Tylandrius Parks leads in rebounding at 7.4 boards a game and is also scoring an average of 9.5 points.

As a team, Union is scoring 80.5 points per game and allowing 10.9 points per game which is second and tenth in the conference in the categories, respectively. The offense is scoring at a 47.8 percent (396-of-828) pace from the floor, 39.9 percent (144-of-361) from behind the arc and 75.2 percent (191-of-254) from the free throw line.

CBU Links: Audio (ESPN 104.9)
Video
Live Stats

Union Links: Audio (ESPN 104.9)
Video
Live Stats

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Players Mentioned

#14 Josh Fleming: G; 5' 9"; Senior

#15 Deandre Harper: F; 6' 7"; Junior

#24 Charles Tripp: F; 6' 8"; Senior

#23 Ricky Dunnaway: F; 6' 8"; Junior

#1 LaJuan Hardy: G; 5' 11"; Junior

#11 Darron Johnson: G; 6' 2"; Junior

Players Mentioned

#14 Josh Fleming
: 5' 9"; Senior
: G

#15 Deandre Harper
: 6' 7"; Junior
: F

#24 Charles Tripp
: 6' 8"; Senior
: F

#23 Ricky Dunnaway
: 6' 8"; Junior
: F

#1 LaJuan Hardy
: 5' 11"; Junior
: G

#11 Darron Johnson
: 6' 2"; Junior
: G