Storylines – vs Lees-McRae College
The Bobcats will be looking to halt a five-game losing streak when Lees-McRae visits the Prior Center for a noon tipoff on New Year's Eve. Under the direction of first-year Head Coach Michelle Williams, Lees-McRae is shooting just 39.5 percent from the field for the season. During its current five-game losing skid, the Bobcats have failed to shoot 40 percent from the floor in any of the five contests. In its most recent loss to Young Harris, Lees-McRae shot just 27 percent from the field in a 70-54 setback. Through nine games, Markia Stacey is averaging 13.1 points per game while shooting 37.3 percent from the 3-point line. The sophomore leads a quartet of four players who are averaging double figures. Brea Forbes (10.9), Alexis Ammons (10.6) and Breana Hardnett (10.3) are also averaging in double-figure scoring for the Bobcats. Stacey has scored in double figures in three consecutive games and in five of her last six contests. The Bobcats are in the midst of a four-game road trip.
About UVa-Wise
Kristin Kunzman's Cavaliers will be looking to claim their eighth win of the year when Lees-McRae visits the Prior Center for UVa-Wise's final out of conference game of the year. The Cavs will finish the season with 18 consecutive league games, the first of which will take place on Tuesday when Fairmont State visits Wise in a 5:30 p..m. tip. For the first time during the Kunzman era, UVa-Wise will have a trio of 1,000 point scorers on the floor Saturday. Teammates
Makenzie Cluesman and
Kayla Carey each joined the 1,000 point club at the College during the team's recent trip to Puerto Rico. The duo will join fellow senior
Taylor Sandidge to form the three-headed unit of 1,000 point scorers. A ninth win would continue the strong start to the season for the Cavs. UVa-Wise has not had a winning season since the 2009-10 campaign but through the first 11 games of this season, the Cavs have yet to lose consecutive games and are a perfect 3-0 in the Prior Center. Carey (14.6), Cluesman (12.7) and Sandidge (11.0) are all averaging double figure scoring for Kunzman's crew who has won seven of its last 10 games since a season opening loss. Carey, Cluesman and Sandidge are also the team's top three leading rebounders. Carey is averaging 8.4 rebounds per contest while Cluesman is collecting 7.5 rebounds per game and Sandidge is picking up 4.1 rebounds per game. Sandidge (3.8) and Cluseman (3.2) are also adding a combined seven assists per game. Saturday's game is the first of five consecutive home games for UVa-Wise.
