SHAWNEE – After a week-long layoff from competition, Oklahoma Baptist (2-1) will head to Newman University (4-1) on Nov. 22 for a 7 p.m. tip-off inside Fugate Gymnasium. This is the first-ever matchup between the two schools.
The Bison Sports Network's Todd Miller and Scott Wanish will be on site for the call of the game starting at 6:35 (CST) on KGFF.com.
Here are notes on both teams heading into the matchup in Wichita, Kansas.
Bison Notes
- Senior forward Nathan Wilson is off to a great start on the glass and defensive end through three games. His eight blocks are tied for 31st in the nation and his 2.67 per-game average is eighth. Plus, he's already halfway to his 2023-24 season total (16). On the rebounding front, he's averaged 10 a game so far. That total is second-best in the GAC and 22nd nationally.
- Junior Ethan Scott, a legit three-point threat, is a player teams will have to contend with this year. His 12 three-point makes are a top-18 mark in Division II. Last week against Arlington Baptist, he made seven from downtown. That's not only a personal-best but it's the second-most 3-pointers made in a D2 game this season.
- OBU has gotten a good boost from the free throw line through three contests. The team has made 56 from the charity stripe and connected at 71.8 percent. By averaging 18.7 makes a game, the Bison are tied for 40th in the nation in that category.
- One other positive sign for the Bison is their rebounding margin. The team's margin of plus 6.3 is ranked 54th in the country.
- Another rebounding note, OBU ranks top four in the conference in combined team rebounds (40.7), defensive rebounds (28.3) and offensive boards per game (12.3).
- Among some of the other key leaders for the Bison, Terry Coner Jr., ranks 10th in the GAC in scoring (17 ppg), 17th in assists (2.3) and 18th in steals (1.7).
- As team, the Bison could work on their offense a bit. They currently rank eighth out of 12 GAC schools in scoring offense (76.7) and 11th in team field-goal percentage (40.3).
Jets Notes
- Newman has won four games, but three of those have come against National Christian College Athletic Association (NCCAA) squads. Its lone D2 win was against Southwestern Oklahoma State on Nov. 8 during the Arkansas Tech Classic in Russellville.
- The Jets' 90.4 points-per-game average ranks 29th in the nation while its 52.4 field-goal percentage is slotted 18th. Plus, Newman's plus 20.6 rebounding margin is No. 2 in the country.
- One other note, Newman has hit 43.7 percent from downtown. That's good for 16th in D2.
- Sam Somerhalder and Jacob Joe each average a team-high 10 points per game. Somerhalder has scored as many as 14 points while Joe poured in 18 against Barclay on Nov. 19, a 105-58 win for the Jets.
- Senior Isaiah Elmore leads Newman with 5.5 rebounds and five total blocks. He's also made half of his 16 field goals.
- Sam Medalie has done a great job leading the Newman offense. He's got a 3-to-1 assist-to-turnover ratio with 22 assists and seven turnovers. Plus, Somerhalder has done a decent job with 18 dimes and 12 miscues. In all, Newman has averaged 21 assists per game early this season.
