Game #13 at The Citadel

For the thirteenth basketball game of the young season, the Cats travel to the South Carolina low country to face the Bulldogs of The Citadel.

The Cats re-enter conference play in Charleston as they face the 6-6 Bulldogs, this will be the second SoCon game for Western, but the third conference tilt for the Bulldogs, as the Citadel plays at Samford on the Wednesday prior to this game.



Game #13 - The Citadel

When: Saturday, January 4, 2020, at 1:00 pm
Where: McAlister Field House (6,000), Charleson, SC
Radio:  Catamount Sports Network
-announcer:  Daniel Hooker (PxP)
TV/video: ESPN+
-announcer- Kyle West (PxP) - Zane Najdawi (Analyst)
Live Stats:  Citadel Live Stats
Fan Message Board: The Citadel Independent Sports Network
The Series: The Cats own a 41-36 overall record against the Bulldogs, but are only 15-20 in games played in Charleston.  The Cats bring a 4 game winning streak against the Dogs into the game and have won 7 of the last 8 games played.

Last season's Record (The Citadel): 12-18 overall, 8-7 home, 4-10 away, 4-14 SoCon

This season's Record (The Citadel):  6-6 overall, 3-3 home, 3-3 away, 0-1 SoCon

Head Coach Duggar Baucom, who is in his fifth season with the Bulldogs, returned only two starters from last season's 4-14 team in conference play. Returning for the Bulldogs is guard, Connor Kern & forward 3 Hayden Brown. The Bulldogs were picked to finish 9th in both the coaches and media poll.

While the Cats have the week off, the Bulldog play at Samford on January 1st prior to the WCU game. The Bulldogs are scoring 85.1 points per game, currently leading the conference in scoring, however, they also lead the conference in most points given up, at 97.2 per game.  The Bulldogs have 4 players averaging double-figure scoring, led by junior forward Hayden Brown (6'5"/225) with 15.4 points per game (PPG), closely followed by junior guard Kaiden Rice (6'6"/185) with 15 ppg. Senior guard Kaelon Harris (6'3"/215) is putting up 14 ppg and freshman guard Fletcher Abee (6'2"/180) is hitting 11.3 ppg.

We know these are two strong 3-point shooting teams and it could well be the team that is hitting those threes on Saturday that will walk away with the victory.  Either team could have a cold 3-point day, that's why the Cats need to take better care of the ball and stop all those unforced turnovers. At this point in the season, the Bulldogs and Cats have played two common opponents, UNCA which beat the Bulldogs in Charleston to open the season, 76-91 and Piedmont College wich the Dogs beat, 129-83.

The Bulldogs are averaging only 586 per game up to this point in the season, and the student body will still be on break for this game, so what can be a difficult place to play with the cadets in the stands, should be a much better atmosphere for the Cats this year in McAlister Field House.


Citadel probable starters:
PG - TYSON BATISTE  • Gr. • Springfield, Mo  •  6.1 
G - FLETCHER ABEE  • Fr. • Morganton, N.C • 11.3 ppg
G - KAIDEN RICE  •Jr. • Columbia, S.C. • 15 ppg
F/G - KAELON HARRIS  • Sr. • Atlanta, Ga • 14.1 ppg
F - EDDIE DAVIS, III  • Gr. • Las Vegas, Nev • 8.6 ppg

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