Game Notes
Short-handed Kentucky Wesleyan puts an unbeaten record and a No. 9 national ranking on the line today when it entertains Salem International at noon in the Sportscenter.
It will mark the first game in nearly two weeks for the well-rested Panthers (7-0), who defeated visiting Union (Tenn.) University 84-73 on Dec. 17 in their most recent outing.
Coach Todd Lee's club will be without the services of 6-foot-7, 261-pound senior center Dazmond Starke (12.4 ppg, 8.7 rpg) and 6-4 junior guard Rico Ferguson (8.6 ppg), who were suspended after being ejected in the bruising conquest of Union, which included eight technical fouls all told.
Starke leads the Great Lakes Valley Conference in field-goal percentage (71.1) and is second in rebounding.
In addition, two more key players — 6-3 senior guard Cornbread Maxwell (13.5 ppg) and 6-2 senior guard Kreig Oxley (7.7 ppg) — are out with injuries. Maxwell is nursing an ankle sprain, and Oxley is sidelined with turf toe.
"We'll be dressing eight players — that's it," Lee said. "And, that is very problematic against a team like Salem because they play between 10 and 12 guys every game. They're very athletic and they have tremendous depth — not one big star, but a bunch of guys who can score.
"This will be a challenge for our basketball team from the standpoint of numbers, alone. It will be interesting to see how this game plays out."
KWC is led by 6-foot freshman guard Lucas Barker, who leads the team in scoring (13.7 ppg) and assists (5.9 apg).
Other double-digit scorers include 6-7 junior forward Donovan Johnson (12.4 ppg) and 6-8 junior center Dominque Dawson (11.4 ppg, 6.9 rpg).
Other key players include 6-2 junior guard Luke Shelley (5.7 ppg) and 6-2 junior guard J.D. Danforth (7.3 ppg), but Wesleyan will also be relying heavily on 6-4 junior forward James Herzog (2 ppg), 6-4 sophomore forward Patrick Neel (2.2 ppg) and 6-2 freshman guard Jake Griffin (0.8 ppg).
"We're going to need everyone to step up in a big way," Lee said. "Anyone who plays, and they all will, needs to contribute."
The Panthers lead NCAA Division II in overall field-goal percentage (55.4) and 3-point field-goal percentage (46.2).
Salem International (7-6) is led by 6-5 senior guard Kenneth McCornell (12.2 ppg). Others expected to start for the Tigers are 6-4 junior guard Jonathan Roper (5.8 ppg), 6-2 sophomore guard Jamal Robinson (3.3 ppg), 6-6 sophomore forward Kevin Webb (7.4 ppg) and 6-6 senior center Dexter Batts (9.2 ppg).
The Tigers and Panthers have played one common foe. KWC defeated Urbana 88-65 on Nov. 15 in Owensboro, and Salem International dropped a 92-61 decision to Urbana on Dec. 1 in the Central State Classic at Wilberforce, Ohio.
Salem International is winless against Wesleyan in two previous meetings, and Tigers head coach Randy Unger is 0-5 all-time against KWC — having gone 0-3 against the Panthers while coaching at Lees McRae.
Next season, Kentucky Wesleyan and Salem International will be members of the new Great Midwest Athletic Conference.
Following today's game, the Panthers begin GLVC play at 7:30 p.m. Thursday when they host Maryville.
