Men's and Women's Basketball Among NCAA Leaders in Latest Rankings
Men's Basketball Ranking Summary through games 1/5/2014
Women's Basketball Ranking Summary through games 1/5/2014
BROOKLYN, N.Y. – The NCAA Division III statistics report released earlier this week has both the St. Joseph's College (Brooklyn) men's and women's basketball teams well represented in the top 50 in a variety of statistical categories.
The Bears (7-7) are led in the latest rankings by sophomore Michael Megafu (Brooklyn, N.Y./Nazareth Regional) who is currently No. 2 in Division III with eight double-doubles on the year. The forward also ranks No. 8 in total rebounds with 129 on the year and carries a 9.9 rebound per game average, good for No. 42 in the nation.
Megafu's frontcourt partner David Louison (Brooklyn, N.Y./St. Edmund Prep) also holds several spots in the top 50 in the latest rankings, including double-doubles where he ranks No. 30 in Division III with five on the year and is No. 7 in field goals made with 92.
Both Megafu and Louison also rank highly among the NCAA Division III active career leaders, Megafu ranking No. 4 in career rebounding average (10.7 rpg) followed closely by Louison at No. 5 (10.5 rpg). Louison also ranks No. 7 in total rebounds (723), the highest ranked junior, and No. 7 in double-doubles (29), the second highest ranked junior. Megafu's 23 double-doubles places him 15th and the highest ranked sophomore by a margin of seven.
Junior Vernon Maddox (Staten Island, N.Y./St. Peter's) adds his name to the list of Bears recognized in the latest statistical rankings with his 63 total assists ranking him No. 19 in Division III. Fellow backcourt teammate Matt O'Neill (Brooklyn, N.Y./St. Edmund Prep) currently ranks No. 11 with 31 total steals.
The Bears continue to be among the nation's leaders in field goal percentage defense, holding opponents to 39.1 percent shooting, good for No. 23 in the nation. St. Joseph's also ranks No. 44 in scoring defense, surrendering 64.1 points per game and is No. 32 in three point field goal percentage defense, holding opponents to a 28.6 shooting clip.
The Bears have taken care of the ball all year and now rank No. 12 in Division III with a 5.5 turnover margin. St. Joseph's also stands at No. 10 in total steals with 120, No. 9 in total rebounds with 514 and No. 17 in total blocks with 55.
The Lady Bears (8-5) check in at an impressive No. 3 in Division III in field goal percentage defense holding opponents to 30.0 percent shooting. St. Joseph's also has protect the rim well this season swatting away 5.8 shots per game, good for No. 13 in Division III. The Lady Bears contribute to distribute the ball efficiently placing No. 46 in Division III with 16.5 assists per contest.
Leading the individual rankings for the Lady Bears is junior Samantha Retas (Brooklyn, N.Y./Bishop Kearney) who is currently No. 44 in Division III with five double-doubles and is No. 48 in blocked shots rejecting 2.15 shots per night. The forward also has rebounded the ball well this season ranking No. 82 in Division III with 10.1 boards per game. Junior Taylor Raccuglia (Brooklyn, N.Y./Bishop Kearney) sees her 2.10 blocks per game place her No. 53 in the country.
Both the Bears and Lady Bears return to action on Monday, January 13th taking on Brooklyn College in a doubleheader at Brooklyn Technical High School with the women tipping off first at 7 p.m. Sitesh Shah will call the action on the live webcast on SJCBears.com and live stats will also be available for both contests.