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December 2, 2003
Men’s Basketball Plays Host to Bellarmine, KWC
After starting conference play with an even 1-1 record, SIUE men’s basketball will look to push its early Great Lakes Valley Conference record over .500 when it entertains Bellarmine and Kentucky Wesleyan this week at the Vadalabene Center.
Bellarmine comes to town Thursday evening for a 7:30 p.m. tip-off. The Cougars then welcome Kentucky Wesleyan Saturday afternoon for a 3 p.m. start.
Bellarmine, who has a non-conference tilt with Illinois State Tuesday night, was eliminated from post-season contention last season when the Cougars topped Bellarmine 84-76 at the Vadalabene Center in the last regular season game for both teams. SIUE’s defense will be tested, as Bellarmine (1-4, 0-2 GLVC) boasts four players who average double-digits in scoring. As a team, Bellarmine averages 78.4 ppg.
“Defense has been a big part of our game since I got here,” Coach Marty Simmons said. “That is one of the reasons we won at St. Joseph’s.”
Kentucky Wesleyan (1-1, 0-1 GLVC), who played in last year’s NCAA-II Championship Game, has reloaded once again and is ranked 12th in the NCAA-II pre-season national rankings.
“The history of their program speaks for itself,” Simmons said.
SIUE is coming off a win at Saint Joseph’s and a loss to Indianapolis to open the GLVC season.
Tyler Hackstadt (Okawville) poured in a career-high 28 at Saint Joseph’s. Calvin Sykes’ (Chicago) 12 points led the team in the losing effort at Indianapolis.
“Hackstadt stepped it up last weekend and Sykes played really well,” Simmons said. “Ron Jones (Kankakee) was also solid for us.”
With his 28 at Saint Joseph’s, Hackstadt is now averaging 11.4 points per game, second only to Jones’ 12.0 ppg.
“Tyler is getting better and better and will continue to improve as the season goes along,” Simmons said. “He can shoot it off the dribble and he has been consistent on defense. Tyler is a big part of what we are trying to do.”
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