THIS WEEK: Continuing the best start in school history after nine games (8-1), the Maryville men’s basketball team welcomes Lindenwood for a 3 p.m. game Saturday Dec. 15, at Moloney Arena. The Saints have won five straight games for the first time since Feb. 2006.

ABOUT LINDENWOOD: The Lions started the season with four straight wins but have been dealt three straight losses to highly-regarded squads, including an 85-79 double overtime defeat to Pittsburg State. Alex Bazzell leads the Lions with 18.2 ppg, while Cody Sorenson adds 12.1 ppg and 6.3 rpg. Lindenwood averages 82 ppg and is shooting 48.5 percent from the field. The Lions have defeated GLVC opponent Illinois Springfield but lost at Quincy in overtime.

MORE ON MARYVILLE: The Saints are off to the best start in school history at 8-1 and have won five straight games. Asa Toney leads the team with 14.9 ppg and 44 assists. Armon Provo is second on the squad with a 14.0 scoring average and has a team-high 14 steals. Gerald Shaw chips in 11.5 ppg and 4.5 rpg. Head coach Kevin Carroll is in his third year at Maryville and has compiled a 28-34 overall record.
 
GETTING THE VOTE OUT: For the first time since moving up to Division II, the Saints are receiving votes in the NABC Top 25 poll. In the Dec. 11 poll, Maryville earned six votes. There are five GLVC teams ranked in the top 20, the most in the nation.

PREVENTING THE THREE: In the latest NCAA statistical report (Dec. 9), the Saints rank fourth in the country in 3-point field goal percentage defense at 23.3 percent. St. Thomas Aquinas leads the nation at 20.6 percent.
 
FRESH FACES: The Saints have bolstered their roster with six new players, including three freshmen, to the squad this season. Also rejoining the team is Darrin Young Jr. who missed the 2011-12 season due to a knee injury.
 
LAST WEEK: The Saints posted their first ever win over Missouri-St. Louis in a 72-65 overtime win at UMSL. Asa Toney poured in a career-high 30 points to lead the way for the Saints. Armon Provo tallied 20 points to pace Maryville in a 66-54 victory over Robert Morris-Springfield.
 
TUNE IN: To watch Saints home games on-line featuring new Voice of the Saints Jim Powers, log on to www.maryvillesaints.com/showcase. Cost to view a single game is $6.95, $10.95 per month, with an annual option to watch all Saints home events for $89.95. In addition, audio will be available for selected road games.
 
BE SOCIABLE: Follow Maryville Saints on Twitter @MaryvilleSaints and use the hashtag #SaintsNation for all items on Twitter associated with Maryville. Be sure to “like” the Maryville athletics Facebook page at www.facebook.com/maryvillesaints.
 
STRINGING TOGETHER THE WINS
The Saints have won five straight games for the first time since Feb. 15, 2006, through Feb. 25, 2006. Maryville has not won six consecutive games since Jan. 2004.

LOOKING AHEAD: The Saints are back in action Monday, Dec. 17, at 7 p.m., when they host Missouri Baptist. Maryville plays a rematch at Lincoln Wednesday, Dec. 19. The Saints downed the Blue Tigers 85-68 on Nov. 26 in St. Louis.