CAMPBELLSVILLE, Ky. - With back-to-back MSC wins under their belt to start the second half conference play, the Tigers now travel to Portsmouth, Ohio seeking to maintain their spot in the MSC standings.
 
In another NAIA top 25 matchup, the Bears of Shawnee State played CU tough in their first meeting this season, but the Tigers now look to return the favor. With only five conference games remaining following the conclusion of this game, a win for the Tigers seems to be crucial for final placement in the MSC tourney.
 
HOW TO FOLLOW

• Matt Payton will be on the call for the game on 88.7 The Tiger and www.CampbellsvilleTigers.com/watch, with pregame starting at 7:45 p.m. ET.

 
SERIES FACTS

• Thursday evening, the Tigers travel to Portsmouth, Ohio for the 13th time in program history, where they hold a record of 5-7, losing in each of their past two trips to Shawnee State.
• Overall, however, Campbellsville leads the 26 game series with the Bears, 16-10.
• The two programs previously met on Jan. 11, 2020 as Shawnee State exploded in the first half, jumping out to a 54-21 lead entering the break, and carrying that to an 86-57 final.
• In this meeting, the Tigers struggled on the glass as Shawnee State easily won the rebounding advantage, 59-27.
• Shawnee State was also able to put five players in double figures behind 16 points from Jakiel Wells.
• The Tigers on the other hand were led by Ronald Taylor and Jacob King, who recorded 11 points each.

 
SCOUTING THE BEARS

• Defensively the Bears have been known as one of the top teams in the NAIA, strongly due to their massive inside presence in 6-11 EJ Onu and 6-10 Justin Johnson.
• As a whole, the Bears lead the NAIA in blocks per game (7.08) and opponent fg% (35.2%), limiting teams to just 63 points per contest, fourth in the country.
• Shawnee State also ranks among the NAIA's top five in rebounds per game (45.17), rebounding margin (12.58), and defensive rebounds per game (31.54).
• Individually, EJ Onu has provided much of the work for these defensive numbers as he single handedly has recorded 133 of the teams 170 blocks, averaging 5.54 to lead the NAIA.
• Onu also leads Shawnee State in rebounds per game (7.63).
• Kyree Elder leads the Bears in scoring, as his 18.57 ppg, rank him second in the MSC and 21st in the NAIA.

 
DAVIS FROM DEEP

• After slight struggles from behind the arc to start the season, Alston Davis has began to develop into the Tigers' most consistent presence from behind the arc.
• Shooting just 26-75 from three in the first 16 games of the year for a 34.67% clip, AD has heated up in the Tigers' last few Mid-South Conference meetings.
• After exploding for four 3-pointers in the first half against Life, Davis has went 19-38 from deep in the last four games, shooting at a 50.0% clip.
• On the season, Davis has recorded a 3-ptr. in every game outside of Ohio State-Mansfield and Oakwood University.

 
DEFENSE SPARKS THE TIGERS

• Campbellsville has found their success when defense plays strong, as they are 14-6 when holding opponents to under 50% shooting and 13-3 when opponents shoot less than 35% from three.
• Allowing 67.2 ppg. on the season, CU currently ranks 14th in the NAIA, while also holding opponents to 40.6% shooting to rank 13th.
• Campbellsville also ranks 18th in the NAIA with 177 steals on the season, led by Mason's 47.

 
TIGER CLAWZ

• The Tigers have hit a 3-pointer in 542-straight games dating back to the beginning of the 2003-04 season on Dakstats. 
• The first half has been the Tigers' friend this season, outscoring opponents 798-663. The second half has been their nemesis only outscoring opponents, 856-792. 
• Taiveyhon Mason ranks 11th in the NAIA in steals with 49 and No. 20 with 2.04 steals per game.
• Mason is 0.6 rebounds away to lead CU in these per game categories - points, assists, steals, and rebounds.
• Through conference play, Richie Mitchell leads the team in points per game (13.7).

 
MID-SOUTH RANKINGS

• After two wins to start the second half of MSC play, CU holds a 5-5 conference record to put them in a four-way tie for third inside the conference standings.
• The Tigers are notched with Thomas More, Lindsey Wilson, and Shawnee State in the standings.
• In the brutal MSC, each win is crucial for the Tigers to climb up the standings with six games remaining.

 
UPCOMING STRETCH

• Following this game, the Tigers will visit the Pikeville on Saturday, Feb. 8, before returning home for their final two home games of the season on Feb. 15 and Feb. 20 as they will play host to Lindsey Wilson College and Thomas More University.