SLIAC Game of the Week: Spalding at Fontbonne

SLIAC Game of the Week: Spalding at Fontbonne

 

At a Glance

It is that time of year where every game matters and that is certainly the case in this week's SLIAC Game of the Week when Spalding University meets Fontbonne University in a meaningful game for the women's basketball standings. With just two weeks left in the regular season both Fontbonne and Spalding are in the middle of the tournament race with Fontbonne currently in third place and Spalding just on the outside looking in sixth place. Spalding and Fontbonne will tip on Saturday, February 11 at 12 p.m. in St. Louis, Mo.

     
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Fontbonne University "GRIFFINS"

Fontbonne has won four straight games, the longest active winning streak in the SLIAC. They enter the game with a 12-10 overall record and an 8-5 mark in conference play. The Griffins defeated Eureka in their last game and have taken down the top two teams in the standings in back to back games.

Guard Kaitlynn Walker is the team's top scorer at 12.4 points per game while Emmie Haring runs the offense averaging 9.4 points and 7.8 assists per game this season. Paige Black is the team's deep threat, knocking down 33 three-pointers this season and averaging 7.1 points per game.

 

Spalding University "GOLDEN EAGLES"

Spalding starts the week with an 11-9 overall record and are 6-6 in the SLIAC. They will face Webster on Wednesday night before facing Fontbonne on Saturday. Spalding is averaging 65.1 points per game this season, 4th in the league, and are a tough interior team that leads the conference in both rebounding and blocks per game.

Alex Martin is the team's top threat at 13.4 points and 4.0 assists per game. Maya Hardin is an athletic forward that is averaging 11.2 points and 6.4 rebounds per game. The Golden Eagles hit just 5.2 three's per game but Martin and Brandy Hunter are their top two outside threats.

 

Previous Meeting - Fontbonne 57, Spalding 51 - BOX SCORE

Fontbonne defeated Spalding in this season's previous meeting, winning 57-51 in Louisville, Ky. The game got off to a slow start with just 19 combined points in the opening quarter. But the game finished with a flurry as both teams scored 21 points in the final quarter. Spalding was held to just 28-percent shooting in the game but forced 23 Griffin turnovers. Paige Black led Fontbonne with 15 points while Emmie Haring finished with 12 points and nine assists. Maya Hardin was the only player from Spalding to reach double figures in scoring with 12 points.

Game Notes

  • Spalding leads the all-time series against Fontbonne 8-7 with Fontbonne's win earlier this year stopping an eight game win streak by Spalding in the series.
  • Fontbonne is looking to make their first SLIAC Tournament since 2012.
  • Spalding has made four straight trips to the SLIAC Tournament, including titles in 2014 and 2015.
  • Fontbonne is currently a half game in front of Webster and Iowa Wesleyan, two teams that they face after Saturday's game against Spalding.
  • Spalding is one game back in the loss column and has four games left in the regular season to make up the difference.