Game Program
WEST CHESTER, Pa.- On the heels of its first non-league loss since 2018, the West Chester men's basketball team (3-1) is set to return to action on Monday night vs Georgian Court (2-2), eager to ensure it does not also suffer its first non-league losing streak since the 2018-19 season.
Series Information
Tonight's matchup is the first-ever meeting between West Chester and Georgian Court and serves as a tuneup of sorts for both teams ahead of their league openers later this week, West Chester vs Mercyhurst and Georgian Court vs Holy Family on Friday and Wednesday night, respectively.
Fan Information
Fan's are reminded of the updated ticket prices for the 2022-23 season, with single-game century club tickets being $20, single-game adult tickets being $10, children/senior tickets being $5, and WCU students being admitted free of charge with current, valid ID.
Flock Talk
West Chester enters tonight's game looking to get back on track following a disheartening 91-74 loss last Monday night vs Wilmington, The Golden Rams fell behind early in this contest, going down 8-2 early and the Purple and Gold was never able to fully erase this deficit as Wilmington rode its early momentum to a 17-point win over the Golden Rams. Despite the setback, West Chester had three players in double figures, led by 22 points from
Elijah Allen, while
Kyle McGee and
Joshua Walker finished with 16 and 11, respectively. A 34.6 % effort from beyond the arc and a 58.3 % performance from the line were troublesome for West Chester last week, as was a -7 margin in rebounding and a 24-12 advantage in fast break points for the visiting Wildcats.
Similar to his hot start and end to the season last year,
Kyle McGee has had a strong start to the 2022-23 season, scoring in double figures in every game so far this year. McGee scored the OT game-winner on a buzzer-beater at Lincoln earlier in November to open the season before scoring a career-high 25 vs. Virginia State in the home opener. McGee currently ranks second on the team in scoring, averaging 8.3 points per game while also leading the team in assists (4.5/g) and steals (1.8/g).
As a team, West Chester enters play averaging 83.8 points per game, which is just .5 higher than what the Golden Rams have allowed this year, with opponents scoring an average of 83.3 points per game, following a season-high 91 points by Wilmington last week. Three-point defense and rebounding have been strong suits for West Chester again this year, holding opponents just 32.1 % shooting from deep while also holding a +3.0 (38.0-35.0) lead in rebounding as we approach the beginning of league play.
Look at the Lions
Georgian Court enters play following a narrow victory over Kutztown in its most recent game, holding a slim three-point lead at the half before eventually holding on for a 76-70 victory over the Golden Bears. Clint Wright Jr has been one of the top offensive players for Georgian Court throughout the season, entering play averaging 16.8 points per game, and the victory over Kutztown proved to be no different as he led the team in scoring with 19 points, including a team-best three made three-pointers. Georgian Court shot just 30.0 % from deep and 60.0 % from the line, but it was a +5 (15-10) advantage in the turnover battle, which made the difference as the Lions escaped with a six-point win in their most recent contest.
Georgian Court enters play averaging just 75.3 points per game with a 44.1 % field goal percentage and a 34.1 % three-point shooting percentage but limiting turnovers to just over 11 per game has been a major key as Coach Terrence Stewart's charges have opened the year 2-2. Jamaal Waters has been the other scoring threat for Georgian Court this year, averaging 17.3 points per game while also averaging 10.3 rebounds per contest through the first four games of the year. Sophomore guard Jalen Bates has shouldered the load from a facilitator standpoint, averaging 3.5 assists per game, which leaves him tied with senior guard Titus Beard for first on the team.
Up Next
West Chester will jump into PSAC action this weekend with a pair of crossover games vs Mercyhurst and Gannon on Friday and Saturday night beginning at 7:30 p.m. before playing its last non-conference game of the year at home next Thursday vs Holy Family beginning at 7:30 p.m. in what will also be the final game of the season-long six game homestand for the Golden Rams.
