Tonight marks the 43rd meeting between the No. 15-ranked Raven men's basketball team and Baker University since the Ravens joined the Heart of America Atheltic Conference (HAAC) for the 1992-93 season.
Benedictine holds a slight lead in the HAAC series, 22-20, with Baker having won four of the last seven – including the previous meeting on Feb. 25 last season when Baker edged Benedictine 54-50.
The Ravens enter play coming off two losses at the Tabor College Holiday Classic while Baker has won back to back games for the third time this season as they won a pair of games in McPherson at a Classic hosted by McPherson College.
All 10 schools in the HAAC return to conference play tonight with Peru State hosting Graceland, Culver-Stockton hosting Central Methodist, Avila hosting Missouri Valley and Evangel hosting MNU.
GAMEDAY LINKS:
Radio - 93.7 FM or www.network1sports.com/station/kair
Video – BRSNtv, www.livestream.com/benedictineravensportsnetwork (Due to student still being on break, tonight's feed will be video only.)
Live Stats (courtesy of Dakstats) – http://www.dakstats.com/WebSync/Pages/Team/TeamPage.aspx?association=10&sg=MBB&sea=NAIMBB_2013&team=474
In-Game Updates – www.twitter.com/RavenGameDay
ABOUT BAKER:
Just one Wildcat is averaing in double figures as Baker is led in scoring by guard EJ Carter. Carter is averaging 15.4 ppg and is also the team's leading rebound with a 6.7 rebounds per game average. ... As a team, Baker is ranked 19th in NAIA Div. I in turnover margin (3.1). ... The Wildcats are ranked ninth in the HAAC in ppg, scoring an average of 73.7 per game but are fourth in scoring defense. Through 14 games, the Wildcats have held their opponents to an average of 74.7 points per game. ... Baker is led by second-year head coach Sean Dooley. He is currently 23-20. The Wildcats were selected as the preseason No. 6 by the HAAC coaches and are 2-1 in HAAC play with wins over then No. 15 MNU and Central Methodist. Their HAAC loss came against Graceland.
ABOUT THE RAVENS:
As a team, Benedictine leads NAIA Div. I in 3-point field goal percentage, converting on 45.2 percent through 13 games. They also rank No. 12 in field goal percentage (49.6 percent) and 3-pointers made per game (8.4). ... Individually, Shawn Fleming Jr. ranks fourth in NAIA Div. I in 3-point percentage at 53.1 percent. ... Jallen Messersmith ranks fifth in blocks per game (2.3) and ninth in total blocks (23). ... Brett Fisher is also ranked in the Top 10 in 3-point field goal percentage, ranked ninth while converting 51.0 percent.
CLOSING IN ON TOP 25:
After becoming the latest member of Benedictine's 1,000-point Club, Charlie Wallrapp has gradually continued to climb the all-time scoring list. ... Heading into play tonight, he currently has 1,129 points and sits at No. 26 on the all-time list. He needs 21 points to move into No. 25 and pass former Raven guard Harry Ramirez who played from 2002-'06.
UP NEXT:
Benedictine returns to the road on Saturday for a 4 p.m. game against MNU in Olathe. Benedictine holds a slight lead over the past 13 games of the series leading 7-6. Benedictine won last year's meeting at the Cook Center, 67-60, over then-ranked No. 13 MNU. MNU was listed in the others receiving votes category in Tuesday's second regular-season NAIA Div. I Top 25 Coaches' Poll.
