WILMINGTON, Ohio - The Wilmington College men's basketball team returns home for the first time in nearly two weeks as the Fightin' Quakers host the University of Mount Union in an Ohio Athletic Conference (OAC) contest on Friday (note the date change). Tip-off from Fred Raizk Arena is scheduled for 2 p.m.
The Teams: Wilmington and Mount Union. The Fightin' Quakers are 2-6 overall and looking for their first OAC victory after falling at Heidelberg University 97-66 on Saturday. The Purple Raiders, who also lost to Heidelberg at home this season, are 7-1 overall and 2-1 in conference competition after a 72-56 win at Ohio Northern University on Saturday.
The Coaches: K.C. Hunt is in his 15th season as head coach of Wilmington's men's basketball program. Hunt, who has coached two All-Americans and seven of the school's 1,000-point scorers, led the Quakers to OAC Tournament titles in 2010 and 2014. He garnered Great Lakes Region Coach of the Year honors for guiding Wilmington to OAC Tournament title and a win in the NCAA Division III Tournament in 2010. Mike Fuline is in his 11th season as Mount Union's head coach. He's guided the Purple Raiders to five OAC championships (regular season & tournament) and two NCAA Division III Men's Basketball Tournament appearances.
The Players: Jeffery Mansfield, a two-time First Team All-OAC selection, leads Wilmington in scoring at 15.8 points per game while assisting on nearly five (4.4) other baskets per 40 minutes. The Wilmington High School alumnus is second to Obed Achirem's 10.4 boards per contest in rebounding at 7.0 per game. Bilal Sow is the other individual to score in double figures as the sophomore averages 11.5 points per contest. A trio of Quakers - Jayden Lewis, Achirem and Collmann Aaron - score at least six points a game. A quartet of Purple Raiders - Christain Parker, Ethan Stanislawski, Chris Painter Jr. and Braedeon Poole - score in double figures with Parker leading the bunch at 16.8 points per game. Poole grabs a team-best 8.9 boards per game.
Tale of the Tape: Points per game – Wilmington 68.1, Mount Union 85.4; opponents' points per game – Wilmington 72.6, Mount Union 68.0; field goal percentage – Wilmington 37.5, Mount Union 51.7; three-point percentage – Wilmington 29.1, Mount Union 36.7; free throw percentage – Wilmington 66.5, Mount Union 63.7; rebounding margin – Wilmington -2.1, Mount Union +6.7; assist-to-turnover ratio – Wilmington 0.92, Mount Union 1.20.
D3Hoops.com Top 25 Poll: Mount Union checks in at No. 17 in the most recent D3Hoops.com Top 25 Poll.
COVID-19 Precautions: Facial coverings and social distancing are required for spectators. Additionally, signage will be throughout Hermann Court for designated seating areas.
Recent History: Wilmington is 17-25 against Mount Union since becoming an NCAA Division III member in the early 1990s. The Purple Raiders have won 9-of-10 in the series. More information on the series history can be viewed by visiting the link above.
Coverage: Live statistics and live video of both games will be available – visit the links above.
Social Media: Wilmington athletics is represented on Facebook (Wilmington College Athletics), Twitter (@DubCQuakers) and Instagram (@DubCQuakers). Follow all the happenings of Wilmington College on social media by using the hashtag "#WeAreDubC".
Up Next: Wilmington has a 12-day break for the holidays before heading up to Alliance for the Mount Union Holiday Classic on Dec. 29-30.
