JacketsOnline.com - Eagles host McNeese State in Hoops

December 18, 2008

USM Sports Information
BigGoldNation.com

HATTIESBURG, Miss. - The Southern Miss men's basketball team looks for its second straight victory when it faces McNeese State, Thursday night at 7 p.m. (CT) at Reed Green Coliseum.

Southern Miss leads the series, 11-7, including a 7-4 record in Hattiesburg. Last year, the Cowboys defeated the Eagles, 63-57.

The Golden Eagles are coming off a 69-44 victory over William Carey. Junior Jeremy Wise led the Golden Eagles with a game-high 17 points, as well as dishing out six assists. Senior guards Courtney Beasley and Craig Craft each scored 12 points and grabbed six rebounds. Andre Stephens added 11 points and six rebounds.

Wise is fifth in the conference with 19.1 points per game, while also bringing down 4.4 rebounds. Beasley is averaging 12.2 points and grabbing a team-high 6.0 rebounds, while R.L. Horton is adding 11.4 points.

The Golden Eagles are averaging 67.1 points per game, while allowing 63.4. Southern Miss is hitting 73.7-percent of their free throws, which is second in Conference USA, and grabbing 36.3 rebounds.

McNeese State enters tonight's game with a 5-3 record and is sporting a three-game winning streak. Last Monday, the Cowboys defeated Louisiana Tech, 61-44.

Junior guard Diego Kapelan leads the team with 10.8 points. Sophomore forward P.J. Alawoya is second with 10.0 points while also pulling down a team-high 8.9 rebounds.

As a team, McNeese State is shooting 44.4-percent while holding its opponents to just 36.9-percent. The Cowboys are scoring 69.9 points and allowing just 62.5.

Head Coach Dave Simmons is in his third season at the helm of the McNeese State men's basketball program. He has compiled a 33-36 (.478) record during his tenure as head coach. He also holds a 60-66 (.476) overall record in five years.

Promotions for the McNeese State game include:

- Take a Kid to the Game Day- Buy an adult ticket at full price, receive a youth ticket for free!

- Free pictures with Santa Clause

- Dollar Dog Night ($1 Hot Dogs!)

The game will be broadcast on WXRR-FM 104.5, with the pregame show beginning at 6:30 p.m.

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