WC men begin OAC play at Mount Union

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The Wilmington College men’s basketball team stays on the road to open Ohio Athletic Conference action 2 p.m. Saturday against Mount Union.

In the first NCAA rankings released Monday, Wilmington ranks second nationally in turnover margin (9.3) and fifth in forced turnovers (24.75). The Fightin’ Quakers also are 15th in steals (12.0) and 19th in assists (20.0).

Freshman Noah Chatman is third nationally in field goal percentage, converting 78.8 percent (26-of-33) of his shots. Chatman did most of his damage against Rhodes, shooting 14-of-16 for 30 points. The 14 made field goals were the most by any player in Wilmington’s NCAA-era.

Wilmington enters the game with three players averaging more than 10 points, led by sophomore Andrew Russell (15.6 ppg). The forward has scored at least 14 points in all five games.

Chatman is second on the team with 13.0 points and junior Christian Jones is third with 11.4 points per game. Jones has scored at least 20 points twice, but has also been held to less than five points twice this season.

Wilmington’s rotation features 11 players that are averaging double digit minutes per game. In addition, no player is playing more than 23 minutes. In contrast, three players averaged more than 25 minutes last year.

The two-time dunk champion Kevin Lewis is using his jumping ability to lead the team with 5.8 rebounds. He is coming off his first career double-double with 13 points and a career-high 12 boards in the win over Berea Sunday.

Mount Union rebounded from its lone loss of the season by beating Hiram, 89-77, Wednesday. The Purple Raiders only defeat was a 73-72 result at home against Albion. Junior JJ Kukura dropped 40 points on 12-of-22 shooting, and was a perfect 12-of-12 from the foul line. He added 10 rebounds in the victory.

Against Hiram, Kukura and senior DeAllen Jackson combined to take 40 of Mount Union’s 66 shots, and accounted for 59 of the 89 points. The pair is the only two scorers in double figures, averaging 19.6 and 18.2 points, respectively. Jackson, the team’s point guard, leads the team with 6.8 rebounds and 3.0 assists.

Wilmington trails the overall NCAA series, 18-14, and the Purple Raiders have won three straight.

WC ended the 2015-16 regular season with a 105-86 loss to Mount Union. Mount Union scored nine of the first 10 points, and never looked back in posting the victory.

For WC, Jones led the way with 25 points on 8-of-11 shooting and a perfect 6-for-6 from the free throw line. D.J. Iles and Will Patrick each distributed a team-high four assists.

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