Men's Basketball Looks To Bounce Back at Home Meeting Farmingdale For First Time

The Bear Facts

• After a big home win over preseason #2 Old Westbury and a convincing win over Sarah Lawrence, the Bears suffered a minor setback falling to SJC Long Island on Tuesday on the road. The loss snaps a three-game streak over their sibling rivals.
• Matt O'Neill's 17.3 pts/gm ranks third in the Skyline and leads a senior trio that averages double figures. Michael Megafu adds a Skyline-leading 11.7 reb and 5th-best 15.6 pts per game. Jamir Archer is scoring a career-best 11 pts/gm connecting on 57% of his attempts, ranked 2nd in the Skyline.

Protecting the Rock

• The Bears continue to lead the league in fewest turnovers (11.9) and turnover margin (+5.14), ranked 24th in Division III.
• The Bears share the league lead in steals (9.7) with Matt O'Neill's 3.6 thefts per game tops in the Skyline and 21st in the nation.

Home Sweet Home

• The Bears are 2-0 at The Hill Center and 11-1 all-time

O'Neill Receives 2nd Skyline Honor Roll Nod

• Averaging 16.3 pts, 7.3 reb and 5.3 stl in three games last week, highlighted by scoring his 1000th career point vs. OW, senior Matt O'Neill received Honor Roll recognition for the 2nd straight week on Mon.

By the Numbers

• 247: Career steals by Matt O'Neill, currently ranked 2nd in Bears history.
• 50, 943: Career double-doubles and rebounds by Michael Megafu, the active career DIII leader

Behind the Horns

• Picked to finish ninth in the pre-season coaches poll, the Rams snapped a six-game skid and picked up their first win of the season on Tuesday defeating Purchase 72-59. Trey Kinard and Brandon Herriot scored 12 points each leading a balanced offense that saw four Rams in double figures.
• The Rams shot 44% in the win draining 55% from behind-the-arc, but enter tonight with a league-low 35% connect rate and 27% from 3-point land.
• Sophomore Liam Monaghan enters the game pacing the offense with 11.4 pts/gm while shooting 78% from the free throw line (6th in Skyline).
• Senior Eddie Kinloch chips in 10.6 pts/gm and pulls down 6.7 reb/gm (14th in Skyline).
• Freshman George Riefenstahl is the reigning Skyline Rookie of the Week averaging 15.0 pts & 8.0 reb in two games last week and recording a 15-point, 13-rebound double-double at league favorite Sage.