KANSAS CITY, Mo. – The No. 3-ranked Raven Men's Basketball team returns to historic Municipal Auditorium tonight to take on (RV) Westmont (Calif.) College in the first round of the 2019 NAIA Div. I Men's Basketball Championship at 7:30 p.m.
The Ravens are the No. 1 seed in the Duer Bracket and are making their 11th overall appearance in the Championship. Tonight's pairing marks the third time in Championship play the Ravens will match up with a team from California (The Master's, 2017; Vanguard, 2014).
The Match up: No. 1 Benedictine (30-3) vs. No. 8 Westmont (Calif.) 18-10 | 7:30 PM | Municipal Auditorium, Kansas City, Mo.
Radio: KAIR 93.7 FM - http://streamdb7web.securenetsystems.net/v5/KAIR
Stats (courtesy of Dakstats); http://bit.ly/2qr1B5w
Video: www.NAIAnetwork.com (pay per view fee associated with broadcast).
Tickets: $20 adults (ages 13 and up) per day, $6 students (ages 5 – 12) per day, Free (kids ages 4 and under) - General Admission
ABOUT BENEDICTINE: Head Coach Ryan Moody leads the Ravens back to Municipal for the fourth time as the Ravens qualified in 2014, 2015 and 2017. … Benedictine's 30 wins heading into the Championship are the most of any team in the field … The Ravens are ranked third in the NAIA in total 3-pointers (355) while ranking fourth in 3-point percentage (40.2). … They rank third in the NAIA in field goal defense (38.5) and are fourth in total blocks (149). … Led by Thomas O'Connor at 13.5 ppg, the Ravens have three players with a double-figure average with two more just under 10. … Of the current roster, O'Connor started in the Ravens last Championship appearance with Kyle Harrison, Wills Wallrapp and Adam Kutney coming off the bench.
ABOUT WESTMONT: The Warriors earned there way into the Championship with an at-large selection. Westmont is led by John Moore who has been with the Warriors for 25 years with a record of 490-254 heading into this season. … The Warriors rank fourth in the NAIA heading into the Championship in field goal percentage (50.1) while averaging 85.0 ppg over 28 games. … Olisa Nwachie is seventh in the NAIA in field goal percentage (62.2) while averaging 17.1 ppg. … In addition to Nwachie, the Warriors have two other players in double figures and two more at 9.0 ppg or better. … They are shooting 36.4 from beyond the arc, but have only taken 195 3-pointers this season. … Of their current roster, Nwachie and Kyle Scalmanini played in the Warriors 74-71 loss to Dillard (La.) in the 2018 Championship.
WHAT TO WATCH: Benedictine's strength is their defense, ranking in the top 10 in field goal defense, blocks and scoring defense (66.0). Westmont's 50.1 percent shooting average will represent a tough task for the Ravens. … Westmont has four Seniors - three transfers and one four-year players - while Benedictine is led by a core of players that have been with Coach Moody throughout their collegiate careers.
NEXT UP: The winner advances to the Second Round on Friday at 7:30 p.m. to take on the University of Pikeville (Ky.), who advanced to the Second Round with a 69-65 with over Talladega (Ala.).
