PULASKI, Tenn. – After splitting a pair of games last weekend against ranked opponents, Martin Methodist returns to the hardwood this weekend for another pair of games against quality opponents when they travel to Mobile, Ala. for a pair of games at the Spring Hill College Classic.
Closing out the fall semester portion of their schedule, the RedHawks (6-6) will meet No. 16 Xavier (La.) on Friday before taking on tournament host Spring Hill College Saturday. The RedHawks defeated No. 18 Campbellsville (Ky.) before falling to No. 8 Lindsey Wilson (Ky.) at the Lou Cunningham Classic a week ago.
Defense figures to be the calling card if the RedHawks are to grab a victory over the Gold Rush (9-2). Through their first 12 contests, the RedHawks are surrendering just 61.6 points per contest, good enough to rank 13th in the NAIA. The Gold Rush are not far behind, holding their opponents to just under 70 points per contest this season.
Offensively, the RedHawks are led by guards Josh Watson and Marlon Williams, who enter the weekend averaging 14.0 and 13.0 points per contest, respectively. Fellow backcourt mate Justin Blake is not far behind, averaging 9.7 points a game while draining a team-high 28 3-pointers.
The Gold Rush are led by dynamo guard Wanto Joseph, who enters Friday's game averaging 17.5 points per contest. Big man Denzell Erves has also gotten off to a fast start this season, averaging 13.5 points a game for the top-ranked team in the Gulf South Athletic Conference.
Friday's game marks just the second-ever meeting between the RedHawks and Gold Rush and the first since the RedHawks rallied for a 79-64 win at the 2006 University of Mobile Classic.
Despite a record that might indicate otherwise, the RedHawks figure to get a stiff test from tournament host Spring Hill in their Saturday evening contest. Despite having lost five of their last six contests, the Badgers (1-10) have scored 70 points or more in three contests this season, including an 80-point effort in their lone win this season. Offensively, the Badgers are led by forward Alex Looney and guard Todd Martin, who enter the weekend averaging 11.8 points per contest.
Saturday's contest marks the first-ever regular-season meeting between the RedHawks and Badgers and just the second-ever game between the two schools. The RedHawks defeated the Badgers 53-47 in the Opening Round of the 2002 NAIA National Tournament in Kansas City, Mo.
Tipoff in both of this weekend's contests is scheduled for 5 p.m. with live stats provided for both contests online at GoRedHawks.com. A link to Spring Hill's video coverage of Saturday's contest will also be available on GoRedHawks.com.
