The Golden Eagles hope to continue their four game winning streak tonight against Southern Nazarene University Crimson Storm.
This is the first time this season the Eagles have had a chance to play the 16th-ranked Crimson Storm.
The Storm is also tied for the top seed in the Sooner Athletic Conference.
JBU was able to move up to 23rd in the division after their win Saturday night against top-seeded Oklahoma Baptist University. The loss made OBU drop from third, in the division, to fourth.
Head men’s basketball coach Clark Sheehy said he hopes this win will give the team more confidence going into their last eight games of the regular season.
The win against OBU can be credited to hot scoring throughout the game, led by junior Coleson Rakestraw with 22 points, senior Adrian Miller with 17 and senior Andy Garcia with 14.
A second half injury, of OBU senior Heath McKay also, affected the Bison’s ability to respond the Eagle’s 7-2 run at the end of the game. McKay scored 22 points before coming down on his ankle under the basket, which greatly affected his playing the rest of the game.
While OBU did drop in divisional rankings, they did not drop in the conference; due partly to their still impressive record of 11-3 in the SAC. Southern Nazarene, the second seed in the SAC, has a 10-4 record in conference.
SNU has a solid offense as well, averaging 76.73 points per game while holding their opponents to and average of 63.27 points per game. Their top scorer, Ryan Aaron, averages 15.33 points per game followed by Daniel White with 14.
The Eagles average 78.55 points per game and hold their opponents to an average of 65 points per game. Miller, JBU’s top scorer, averages 14.68 points per game followed by Rakestraw with 12.46.
JBU will have to play on Saturday as well when they face the University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma on the road.
Sheehy said USAO plays well at home and even though they are lower in the bottom of the conference, it will be a tough game.
“I think what you are going to see as we come down to these last eight games is that any team can win on any given night,” said Sheehy.
He gave the example of bottom-seeded St. Gregory’s only conference win against SNU.
The men’s game will be tonight at 8 p.m. in the Bill George Arena.