Posted: Jan 07, 2014

SLIAC Game of the Week - Jan. 7th

The SLIAC Game of the Week is a weekly feature that highlights a key in conference match-up this week. This week's feature game is between the MacMurray College and Spalding University men's basketball teams.

At a Glance
The contest between MacMurray and Spalding pits two of the three remaining undefeated teams in conference play against each other. MacMurray starts the week with a 6-3 overall and 2-0 conference record while Spalding began the week with a 5-5 overall and 3-0 conference record. The key conference game will take place Saturday, January 11 in Louisville, Ky.

About MacMurray
MacMurray stands at 6-3 this season and are coming off a 69-57 win over Dallas on December 29. The Highlanders were set to return from break on Tuesday, Jan. 7 against Westminster but the game was postponed due to weather. They will host Blackburn on Thursday before heading to Louisville to face Spalding.

The Highlanders are averaging a conference high 79.3 points per game this season, shooting 51-percent from the floor as a team. Brad Slagle is the team's leading scorer, averaging 16.1 points per game. Slagle is hitting on 56-percent of his shots this season and averages a team high 7.6 rebounds and 3.2 assists per game. Dylan Burton is the only other Highlander to average in double figures, averaging 10.7 points per game. The Highlander offense has been efficient, averaging 17.0 assists per game and turning the ball over just 10.9 times per game.

About Spalding
Spalding evened their overall record to 5-5 with a 68-66 win over Fontbonne on Jan. 4, their first game back from break. The win also extended their conference best winning streak to five games. They were set to host Blackburn on Tuesday, however the game has been postponed. The Golden Eagles will host Eureka on Thursday as they continue their season long five game home stand.

Spalding is averaging 66.3 points per game this season, 7th best in the conference. However, in conference play they have upped their output, averaging 76.3 points per game. The Golden Eagles are third in the conference in steals per game, averaging 7.1 per game and have held conference opponents to just 52.7 points in their three conference contests. William Barber is the lone Golden Eagle averaging in double figures in scoring at 14.9 points per game. Quayshaun Hamilton has been effective when shooting the ball this season; despite averaging just 8.4 points per game, he is shooting 55-percent from the field including 53-percent from three-point range.

Game Notes

Spalding leads the all-time series 6-2, including winning the last three meetings
MacMurray is looking for their first win of the series since a 60-53 win on Nov. 28, 2011
MacMurray's Brady Slagle is the only player in the SLIAC to rank in the top five in points per game, rebounds per game and total assists.
Spalding has the conference's longest winning streak at five games.
Westminster along with MacMurray and Spalding, are the only remaining undefeated teams in conference play.
Brady Slagle and William Barber have each won the SLIAC Player of the Week award this season. Slagle was the Week 1 winner while Barber won the award this week.