Men's Basketball Tips Off Doubleheader With Borough Nemesis Medgar Evers

BROOKLYN, N.Y.–Winners of three of their last four, the St. Joseph's College (Brooklyn) men's basketball team will host Medgar Evers College for the first of five straight at the Hill Center on Wednesday, January 28 at 5:30 p.m., tipping off the first game of a men's and women's doubleheader.

Game Information

Opponent: Medgar Evers College (2-16, 1-9 CUNYAC)
Date/Time: Wednesday, January 28 • 5:30 p.m.
Location: Brooklyn, N.Y.
Arena: The Hill Center • Frank P. Carbone Court
Coverage:  Live stats | Video | Game Program

Quick Links

St. Joseph's: Roster | Schedule | Statistics | Misc. Stats
Medgar Evers: Roster | Schedule | Statistics

Storylines

• The Bears dropped to 12-7 on Saturday after succumbing to a late run from The College of Staten Island, falling 92-87 after leading by as much as 17. But St. Joseph's has been victors in three of their last four and will play their next five contests in the comfort of the new Hill Center. The Bears are a perfect 7-0 in home games, including 5-0 at the Hill Center.
• After leading St. Joseph's to a 2-1 week, scoring a career-high 33 points, and reaching the 1,500-point milestone, David Louison was awarded the Hudson Valley Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (HVIAC) men's basketball Player of the Week.
• Michael Megafu showcased his skillset with a 25-point (9-11 fg), 17-rebound performance at Staten Island. The junior (15.8 ppg, 9.7 rpg) is flirting with a double-double average while leading the Bears in scoring.
• The versatile Matt O'Neill continues to lead St. Joseph's in assists (3.8) and thefts (3.2). The junior continued his season-long barrage from three against Staten Island, netting five from downtown for a season-high 25 points.
• Wednesday will mark St. Joseph's fourth matchup this season against a CUNYAC school. The Bears currently hold a 1-2 record against the conference with losses at Brooklyn College and Staten Island and a victory over York (N.Y.).
• Medgar Evers will enter holding a 2-16 record, including a pair of defeats at the hands of York as well as losses to Brooklyn and Staten Island. The Cougars, having dropped four straight and 15 of their previous 16, will enter the Hill Center hungry to salvage the homestretch of a disappointing season.

Series History

Medgar Evers owns a 6-4 edge in the series history dating back to 2004. The Bears snapped a three-game losing streak in the series last year with a decisive 97-74 road victory.

Last Meeting

On January 27, 2014, St. Joseph's utilized a 20-1 run in the second-half en route to a season-high offensive output, downing Medgar Evers 97-74 at the Cougars Cave.

The Bears were paced by David Louison who finished with a team-high 27 points on a blistering 13-of-17 (76.5 percent) shooting night. The forward added 11 rebounds to finish with his ninth double-double of the season. Michael Megafu poured in 19 while securing 11 boards for his own double-double.

The Bears improved to 10-8 with the victory and proceeded to win eight of their next nine, including the HVIAC Championship final.

The Bear Facts

The Bears dropped to 12-7 on Saturday after succumbing to a late run from The College of Staten Island. But St. Joseph's has been victors in three of their last four and will play their next five contests in the comfort of the new Hill Center. The Bears are a perfect 7-0 in home games, including 5-0 at the Hill Center.

Wednesday will mark St. Joseph's fourth matchup this season against a CUNYAC school. The Bears currently hold a 1-2 record against the conference with losses at Brooklyn College and Staten Island and a victory over York (N.Y.).

Bears Probable Starters

• Alec Willis (G): The freshman is getting stronger as the year progresses. Willis is averaging 8.3 points per game on the season but 13.4 points on 60.0 percent from downtown (18-30) in his last five games.
• Matt O'Neill (G): The versatile junior consistently fills up the box score, averaging 14.8 points and team highs in assists (3.8) and steals (3.2).
• Jamir Archer (F): In his last three games, the junior is averaging 9.3 points on 73.3 percent (11-15) from the field. Archer is shooting a highly efficient 53.4 percent on the season.
• Michael Megafu (F): The junior (15.8 ppg, 9.7 rpg) is flirting with a double-double average while leading the Bears in scoring. He showcased his skillset with a 25-point (9-11 fg), 17-rebound performance at Staten Island.
• David Louison (F):  The senior is averaging a double-double (15.6 ppg, 10.9 rpg) and was awarded his ninth career HVIAC Player of the Week on Tuesday.

Bears Last Time Out

St. Joseph's (12-7) fell 92-87 on Saturday afternoon after leading by as many as 17 late in the second-half, succumbing to The College of Staten Island's comeback run.

Michael Megafu showcased another dynamic offensive performance, scoring 25 points on 9-of-11 shooting. The junior also matched a season-high with 17 rebounds for his ninth double-double of the season. Matt O'Neill netted 25 as well, falling just two points shy of his career-best. The junior continued his season-long barrage from long range, burying 5-of-12 from three.

The Bears entered the intermission up 48-40 and led by double-digits for a majority of the second-half, stretching their advantage to a game-high 17 points (79-62) following Alec Willis' triple with just 6:40 remaining. But the Dolphins inched their way back and closed the contest with a furious run, scoring the game's final 12 points to storm back from certain defeat and steal the victory.

Louison Crowned HVIAC Player of the Week

After leading the Bears to a 2-1 week, scoring a career-high 33 points, and reaching the 1,500-point milestone, David Louison was awarded the Hudson Valley Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (HVIAC) men's basketball Player of the Week on Tuesday.

Louison averaged 24.0 points, 51.0 percent shooting, 9.7 rebounds and 2.7 assists. This is the senior's ninth career HVIAC Player of the Week and his third this season.

Bears Among the NCAA Division III Leaders

One of the most consistent DIII players in the nation, David Louison's 14 double-doubles are good for third in all of Division III. With a team-high 14 double-digit rebounding games this season, the senior also ranks 14^th in rebounds per game (10.9).

Coming off a 9-for-11 performance from the floor, Michael Megafu has hovered around 60 percent shooting all season and the efficient junior currently ranks 16^th in DIII with a 61.7 field goal percentage.

Crafty guard Matt O'Neill sits fourth in Division III with a 3.2 steals per game average.

Cub Scouting

Medgar Evers will enter Wednesday's meeting holding a 2-16 record. The Cougars are coming off two losing seasons, including a 2-23 finish in 2013-14. Having dropped four straight games and 15 of their previous 16, Medgar Evers will enter the Hill Center hungry to salvage the homestretch of a disappointing season.

Junior guard Matthew Walker leads the Cougars in scoring (18.0 ppg) to go along with 3.8 boards and 2.6 helpers. Senior forward Valin Williams provides a strong interior presence, averaging a team-high 11.9 rebounds and 11.9 points.

Medgar Evers Last Time Out

The Cougars dropped their fourth straight on Saturday, falling 84-66 in a conference matchup with Lehman College. Lehman controlled Medgar Evers from tipoff, never conceding the lead.

Senior Valin Williams contributed a double-double in a losing effort, recording team highs in points (17) and rebounds (10).

Next Up for the Bears

The Bears will stay put at the Hill Center for Alumni Night on Saturday, January 31, hosting Valley Forge Christian for a 7 p.m. tipoff. Live stats and video will be available at SJCBears.com.