THIS WEEK: The Maryville men’s basketball team (8-2) closes out play before the holidays with two games. The Saints host nearby rival Missouri Baptist Monday, Dec. 17, for a 7 p.m. contest. Maryville hits the road Wednesday, Dec. 19, looking for a season sweep of Lincoln.

ABOUT MISSOURI BAPTIST: The Spartans have won two straight and are 5-7. LeAndre Johnson leads the way with 14.4 ppg and a team-high 28 steals and 25 assists. Kalvin Lewis adds 12.4 ppg, while Garrison Plummer grabs 5.9 rpg.
 
ABOUT LINCOLN: The Blue Tigers are 2-8 with a win over Great Lakes Valley Conference foe McKendree as well as a road victory at Nebraska-Kearney. Cedric Ridle tops the team with 18.2 ppg and adds 6.7 rpg. Charles Cole is second on the squad with 13.6 ppg and a team-high 6.7 rpg. Shakir Preston has handed out 50 assists on the season.

MORE ON MARYVILLE: The Saints are 8-2 after having their five-game winning streak ended by Lindenwood. Asa Toney leads the team with 14.7 ppg and 48 assists. Armon Provo is second on the squad with a 13.4 scoring average and has a team-high 16 steals. Gerald Shaw chips in 10.4 ppg, and Trae Pemberton scores 10.1 ppg. Head coach Kevin Carroll is in his third year at Maryville and has compiled a 28-35 overall record.
 
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: In their only game last week, the Saints dropped a 61-53 decision against Lindenwood Saturday. Trae Pemberton and Asa Toney led the Saints with 14 and 13 points, respectively.
 
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. The next road game available will be the Truman State game Dec. 30.
 
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.

LOOKING AHEAD: The Saints next play Sunday, Dec. 30, when they head to Truman State for a 3 p.m. game.