HCU vs. Southwestern Adventist
Houston Christian University returns home for the first time in over two weeks, hosting Southwestern Adventist University on Wednesday evening, with tip-off slated for 7 pm
.
The Huskies haven't played at home since November 20, and come into Wednesday's game after dropping their most recent outing, a 65-56 decision to cross-town rival Rice on Saturday afternoon.
A three-pointer by
Tristan Moore capped off an 11-4 run to start the game, and by the midway point of the half, the Huskies had built a double-digit lead at 21-10. The Owls would scratch back into the contest, and the Huskies led by a bucket at the break 31-29.
Rice opened the second half with an 11-3 burst, and the hosts would later turn the tables by building their own double-digit lead. HCU fought back, climbing back to within five after consecutive baskets by
Marcus Greene with six minutes to play. The Owls would weather the storm however, and hold on for the victory.
Greene bounced back from a tough outing at TCU by scoring 17 points, grabbing eight boards and dishing out four assists.
Bonke Maring had nine points and tied Greene with eight rebounds.
Jay Alvarez had eight points and five caroms while
Porter Bazil posted career-bests with six points and five rebounds.
The Huskies are led offensively by Alvarez and Greene, who both are averaging a smidge under 15 points a game. Mike Imariagbe is averaging right at 10 points and five rebounds, while Maring averages 8.8 points, 7.8 rebounds, 2.3 assists and 1.8 steals per game.
HCU enters Wednesday's home affair still searching for its first victory. A daunting early slate has seen the Huskies face the 11
th toughest schedule overall according to the ESPN BPI rankings through this week.
Still remaining on the non-conference slate are trips to No. 12 Texas this Saturday as well as a trek to College Station to face No. 21 Texas A&M on December 22. HCU has already faced three other Big 12 opponents, including a BYU club that is now ranked No. 14 in the country, and TCU, which is receiving votes and just three spots outside the Top 25.
Southwestern Adventist and HCU are no strangers on the hardwood, as both were charter members of the Red River Athletic Conference in 1998-99 as members of the NAIA. The Knights hail from Keene, Texas just south of Fort Worth, and are led by Tyler Wooldridge. SWAU comes to Sharp Gym sitting at 2-6 on the season overall.
The Huskies hold a 10-0 lead in the all-time series with Adventist, including wins in the last two seasons. HCU defeated SWAU 94-62 last year behind a huge night from
Bonke Maring, who registered 30 points, 15 rebounds, six assists and four steals, all career-highs.
Four players are scoring in double-figures on the season for Southwestern Adventist. Orlando Gooden, a 6'0 freshman from St. Louis, leads the way at 12.7 points while also grabbing five boards per game.
Houston natives Ephraim Viadex and Jason Garcia are both averaging 12.3 points per game. Viadex, a 6'1 senior guard, also leads the Knights in rebounds (6.0) and assists (3.9), while Garcia, a 5'10 guard, chips in 4.4 boards and 2.1 assists. Marcel Phifer, a 5'10 junior guard out of Washington, DC, averages 10.3 points to round out the quartet.
Fans are encouraged to wear their finest holiday season sweaters to the game on Wednesday night and free Christmas cookies will be given out in the Sharp Gym lobby, while supplies last, courtesy of the Athletic Department.
Following the tilt against SWAU, the Huskies will hit the highway again for the short trek to Austin and a Saturday afternoon matchup with #12 Texas. The game is slated to tip-off at 2 pm and can be seen on the Longhorn Network.
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