CAMPBELLSVILLE, Ky. - After an upset win over the Bears in their first meeting this season, Campbellsville will look to repeat that performance as they travel to University of Pikeville on Saturday.
As play was just beginning in the 2020 calendar, the then No. 4 Pikeville Bears traveled to the Powell Athletic Center, where the Tigers were capitalized on the opportunity for a major upset win. While the Bears have now dropped outside the NAIA's top 25, Campbellsville will now have to travel to Pikeville to fight for their positioning inside the conference standings. As the Bears hit a skid following the previous meeting, UPIKE may have found their stride once again as they enter the meeting coming off a 31-point win at LWC. CU must now break that rhythm again as they seek for another MSC win.
HOW TO FOLLOW
SERIES FACTS
- Saturday afternoon, the Tigers will travel to the University of Pikeville for their 116th meeting all-time.
- Entering the contest, the Bears lead the series 66-49, while holding a 33-21 advantage as the home team.
- However, in their last matchup, it was the Tigers who reigned supreme as they took a 72-66 victory to upset the then No. 5-ranked Bears.
- In the contest Taiveyhon Mason led the way for CU with 22 points, eight assists, and six rebounds in route to the six point win.
SCOUTING THE BEARS
- Overall, Pikeville has shown some defensive prowess and offensive efficiencies ranking in the NAIA's top 10 in defensive rebounds per game (28.73), field goal percentage (0.517), turnover margin per game (4.83), scoring margin per game (18.61), and rebounding margin per game (9.13).
- Individually, these numbers have been largely due to the effectiveness of Luke Layhew in the paint and on the glass.
- Layhew leads the Bears in rebounds, averaging 7.24 rebounds per contest, while also ranking fourth in the NAIA, shooting 64.7% from the field.
- Jordan Perry also leads UPIKE in scoring with 17.43 ppg, on 49% shooting, ranking him fifth in the Mid-South Conference.
BIG GAMES FROM THE BIG FELLA
- In the absence of Justin Tucker over the last two games for CU, De'Undra Singleton has put together his two best performances as a Tiger.
- Off the bench for the Tigers, Singleton has led CU in scoring in their past two games, with a career high 17 against Cumberland University, then topping that with another career-high 19 points against Shawnee State.
- In the match up with the Phoenix, the big man his work in efficient fashion shooting 8-9 from the field.
- In the game against Shawnee State, however, Singleton worked himself to the line and capitalized, going on to make 11 free throws in 12 attempts.
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' Mid-South Conference meetings.
- After exploding for four 3-pointers in the first half against Life, Davis has went 22-43 from deep in the last five 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 14-7 when holding opponents to under 50% shooting and 13-4 when opponents shoot less than 35% from three.
- Allowing 67.5 ppg. on the season, CU currently ranks 14th in the NAIA, while also holding opponents to 40.8% shooting to rank 13th.
- Campbellsville also ranks 19th in the NAIA with 191 steals on the season, led by Mason's 51.
TIGER CLAWZ
- The Tigers have hit a 3-pointer in 543-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 824-697. The second half has been their nemesis only outscoring opponents, 892-820.
- Taiveyhon Mason ranks 13th in the NAIA in steals with 51 and No. 21 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 (13.2).
MID-SOUTH RANKINGS
- CU currently holds a 5-6 record inside the MSC, to sit in fifth in the standings.
- The Tigers are currently tied with Lindsey Wilson and one game ahead of Pikeville.
UPCOMING STRETCH
- Following this game, the Tigers will return 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.
