Storylines – vs Glenville State College
Winners of four consecutive games, Glenville State College enters the home stretch of the season in a first place tie with Wheeling Jesuit University. The Pioneers are led by one of the league's more dynamic players Paris McLeod. McLeod has won the league's Player of the Week honor three times this season and enters Saturday's game averaging 18.5 points, 6.1 rebounds and 3.7 assists per contest. McCleod is one of five Pioneers who have attempted at least 100 3-pointers this season. As a team, Glenville State averages 48.1 3-point attempts per game and has attempted 1,010 long distance shots this season. Turnovers also play a big part in first-year Head Coach Kim Stephens' team success. Stephens' team is forcing 25.3 turnovers per game ranking fourth in the nation in the category. The defensive pressure has helped the team to a 98 points per game average to lead the nation in scoring. The Pioneers lead the MEC in 10 separate team categories and have won all 12 of their league games by at least 14 points.
About UVa-Wise
UVa-Wise puts its undefeated home record on the line Saturday against what is to date the toughest opponent to visit the Prior Center this season. Through its first nine home games, the Cavaliers have outscored the opposition by nearly 15 points a contest. Seniors Kayla Carey, Makenzie Cluesman and Taylor Sandidge have been nearly perfect at home. The trio is averaging 41.7 points, 19.9 rebounds and 11.5 assists per game as five of the nine wins have come by double figures. To extend the streak to 10 games, the Cavaliers will have to handle the pressure of the Pioneers. In the first meeting between the two schools this season, Glenville State forced 26 turnovers which led to 32 points in a 103-78 win at the Waco Center. Freshman Kayla Mullins had the best game of her short collegiate career in the loss as she netted a season-high 19 points on 8-12 shooting in the loss. Carey tallied 15 points while Sandidge recorded 13 points in the loss. Cluesman was limited to seven points in the loss, this season UVa-Wise is winless when the Jonesville, Va. native fails to score at least 10 points. Recently, Sandidge has been playing her best ball of the season. The Waynesboro, Va. native scored 18 points, grabbed four rebounds and recorded two steals at Fairmont State before scoring a season-high 27 points at West Virginia Wesleyan. In the game against the Bobcats, Sandidge made a career-high 11 field goals and added five rebounds, six assists and two steals to go with her 27 point showing.