Men's Basketball 3/16/2017 1:00:00 PM Erik Simpson, Sports Information Director

#3 Roadrunners Start Quest For A National Title Today In Kansas City

KANSAS CITY, Mo. - The #3-ranked Dalton State men's basketball team will begin the road to a national title today in Kansas City when they take on Harris-Stowe State (Mo.) at Municipal Auditorium. Tip-Off is scheduled for 5:45 p.m. (CDT).

DALTON STATE
The #3 Roadrunners come into the contest with a 27-4 record and the #1-seed in the Liston Bracket. They are the Southern States Athletic Conference regular season co-champions and the SSAC tournament champions. Carnilious Simmons leads the way for the Roadrunners. Simmons averages a double-double with 15 points and 10.1 rebounds per game. Dalton State features an unselfish lineup that shares the ball with five players averaging double-figures in scoring. Isaiah Box (13.8 ppg) played a huge role in the SSAC championship game, scoring 20 points while battling flu-like symptoms all week. His backcourt counterparts Reed Dungan (11 ppg) and Mike Harden (10.5 ppg) will have to play strong defense to slow down the guard play of Harris-Stowe St. SSAC Tournament MVP Sayvon Wilson (11.9 ppg) will be counted on heavily down low with Simmons to protect the rim and grab boards. Dalton State averages 10 more rebounds per game than the Hornets, 38.9-28.6. The Roadrunners need to take advantage and limit second chance opportunities.

SCOUTING THE OPPONENT
HARRIS-STOWE STATE
The Hornets from St. Louis, MO are a tough team. They come into the game with a record of 19-12 and are considered the toughest #8-seed of the four in the tournament. Harris-Stowe St. plays strong team defense holding opponents to 40% shooting from the field, which is good enough for 6th in the country. They are led by 6'3" junior forward Jalen Fletcher. Fletcher averages 14.2 points and 5.7 rebounds per game. Harris-Stowe St. features two other players that average double-figures in guards Craig Davila Jr. (13.1 ppg) and Trevor Roberts (12.2 ppg). The Hornets started the season 5-11, but closed the season winning 14 of their last 15, culminating with a win in the American Midwest Conference tournament championship game.

COVERAGE
#8 Harris-Stowe State Hornets vs. #1 Dalton State Roadrunners | 5:45 p.m. (CDT) | Municipal Auditorium | Kansas City, MO
Live Stream | NAIA Network | Live Stats | DakStats

Print Friendly Version