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Local Sports

Saturday, November 21, 2009

College Basketball: UF hits the road
Fruth's Sugar House Greenhouse
By BRIAN LESTER

STAFF WRITER



They have played against Duke in the hostile environment of Cameron Indoor Stadium and have traveled across the United States for a game against Mountain West Conference power Utah at the Huntsman Center.

On Saturday night, the University of Findlay men's basketball team will face their first road challenge of the regular season when they square off against the University of Indianapolis at Nicoson Hall.

Tip-off is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. between the fourth-ranked Oilers (2-0) and the Greyhounds (1-1).

“It's a very big game in the region, and we know how important it is to win a game like this,” said senior Nick Coon. “It's going to be a tough place to play and we know we will have to come out and play as hard as we can and execute.”

The Oilers are the defending NCAA Division II national champions and are coming off an 81-70 win over Malone on Thursday night.

Indy fell 84-69 to Division I Southern Illinois on Tuesday despite playing the Salukis tough. Indy trailed just 41-36 at halftime and was unable to mount a comeback in the second half. Indy won its opener 79-60 over Mount St. Joseph.

The Greyhounds have 10 transfers on their roster, including junior guard Ryan Sims (14.0 ppg, 5.0 rpg) from Bowling Green.

Junior guard Darius Adams, a Lincoln College transfer, is the team's leading scorer (17.5 ppg). Junior forward DeWann Squires (14 ppg) and junior guard Nate Blank (10 ppg) are key players as well for the Greyhounds.

Indy knocked off Valparaiso 88-83 in an exhibition game.

“They have a lot of physical players and they have a lot of talent on their team,” veteran UF head coach Ron Niekamp said. “They were able to beat Valpo and play Southern Illinois tough. We know we are going to have to play much better against them than we did in our first two games.”

UF is averaging 71.5 points per outing and allowing 58.5. The Oilers have forced 20-plus turnovers and are shooting 42.7 percent from the field.

Senior point guard Marcus Parker is the top scoring threat (16.5 ppg) for UF, while Western Carolina transfer forward Greg Avery, is averaging for 11.5 ppg.

UF has won 38 consecutive games and 12 straight on the road.

“We have to take baby steps and continue to improve,” Niekamp said. “Our focus is on our team and how we can get better as a team.”


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Kyle wrote in article "Officials say stuck cars may be towed":
To Tim
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SNOW REMOVAL
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pile of snow
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