THIS WEEK: On a three-game winning streak, the Maryville men’s basketball team (11-2, 1-0 GLVC) faces two ranked Great Lakes Valley Conference foes this week. The Saints head to Kentucky Wesleyan Thursday, Jan. 3, then treks to Southern Indiana Saturday, Jan. 5.
 
ABOUT KENTUCKY WESLEYAN: The Panthers are No. 9 in the latest NCAA Division II poll and carry a perfect 8-0 record into the contest. Lucas Barker leads five KWC players averaging double figures with 13.9 ppg and adds a team-high 46 assists. Dazmon Starke tallies 12.4 ppg and a team-best 8.7 rpg while shooting a league best 71.1 percent from the field. The Panthers lead the GLVC in scoring at 87.6 ppg, field goal shooting at 53.2 percent and 3-point field goal shooting at 45.5 percent.
 
ABOUT SOUTHERN INDIANA: The Screaming Eagles begin the week 7-1 and ranked No. 17 in the last NCAA Division II poll. Orlando Rutledge leads the team and is tied for fifth in the league with 17.4 ppg. Aaron Nelson grabs a team-high 7.1 rpg to rank sixth in the GLVC and is second with a 67.2 field goal percentage. Keith DeWitt adds 15.0 ppg and a team high 8.8 rpg. USI is second in the league in scoring at 85.5 ppg and tops the GLVC in rebounding margin at +14.1.
 
MORE ON MARYVILLE: The Saints have won three straight and are 11-2, 1-0 in the GLVC, the program’s best mark after 13 games. Asa Toney leads the team with 16.2 ppg, 60 assists and 21 steals. Armon Provo is second on the squad with a 14.2 scoring average and is second on the team with 36 assists and 20 steals. Gerald Shaw chips averages 11.5 ppg Head coach Kevin Carroll is in his third year at Maryville and has compiled a 31-35 overall record.
 
PREVENTING THE THREE: In the latest NCAA statistical report (Dec. 16), the Saints rank fourth in the country in 3-point field goal percentage defense at 24.5 percent. Elizabeth City State leads the nation at 20.9 percent. Maryville is 18thth in the nation in scoring defense at 59.6 ppg.
 
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 remained perfect in true road games (4-0) with a 70-57 win at Truman State Sunday afternoon. Armon Provo tallied 21 points, while Asa Toney finished with 18 points and seven rebounds. Myles Jerrett returned to the lineup and hauled down a team-high 11 rebounds.
 
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. Both the Kentucky Wesleyan and Southern Indiana games will be available on audio.
 
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 come back home to host McKendree Thursday, Jan. 10, in a 7:30 p.m. game, and Bellarmine Saturday, Jan. 12, for a 3:15 p.m. contest in Moloney Arena.