HUNTINGDON, Pa. – After dropping its first game of the New Year, the Juniata men's basketball team turned things around and has been picking up speed heading into the heart of conference play. The Eagles are on a three-game win streak since upsetting No. 6 Catholic University back on Jan. 9 and look to continue the momentum into their matchup with the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy (USMMA) at home this Saturday, Jan. 19 at 4 p.m.
Juniata (11-5, 3-2 Landmark) is 3-7 all-time against USMMA (9-7, 2-4 Landmark) since the programs began competing in 2008, but have won two straight at home over the Mariners.
"I think we are taking every game as its own challenge and this one is a very big one," said Head Coach Greg Curley. "I think they are very big, they're very physical, they arguably have the best player in the league and they've played a very challenging schedule. I think their record is a little misleading. They need to win, so they're going to come in here ready to go. We just need to come out, play our game and see where it leads us."
To pull out the win, the Eagles will be looking for key contributions from senior Alex Raymond (Hollidaysburg, Pa./Altoona) and juniors Brian Scholly (State College, Pa./State College) and Jeremy Hays (McMechen, W. Va./John Marshall).
All three are recognized nationally for their play on the court. Scholly, who leads the team in points and blocks, is ranked top 10 in three-point field goals per game (8th) and three-point field goal percentage (9th). He is also ranked in points-per-game and field goal percentage.
"What I'm most proud of with Brian is he's really developed his overall game," said Curley. "He's always been able to shoot the ball, but I think now he does a little bit of everything for us and he's become a really good player. I'm really happy with how he has improved his ability to go to the basket."
Hays, the teams assist and steals leader, is ranked for assists and steals per game, assist-to-turnover ratio, and free-throw percentage. He is currently second on the program's all-time steals leaderboard with 168 in his career. Hays also appears among the all-time career assist leaders.
"Jeremy has really developed as well," Curley added. "I think he was always a lead guard in high school and really a guy more comfortable with the ball in his hands. But we've asked him to do a lot of other things. His numbers have always been there, but I think now there's more substance to him. He's a really solid guy. Many nights, he's guarding the best player on the opposing team."
Raymond is the vocal captain on the floor and he is currently third on the team in points, averaging 11.7 per game. His 84-percent average from the free throw line leads the team and ranks him 66th nationally. The 5-7 guard is also among the all-time career assist leaders. He is listed with the career three-point field goal leaders and is close to joining the all-time scoring leaderboard.
"He's one of those guys that helps a coach sleep at night," said Curley of Raymond. "I couldn't be prouder of him. Just excited to see him continue to get better and help us improve here down the stretch."
All three have started every game this season along with senior Nate Higgins (St. Mary's, Pa./Elk County Catholic) and junior Kevin Stapleton (Indiana, Pa./Indiana). Stapleton leads the team in rebounds with 95 and Higgins is one of the highest percentage shooters on the team. Juniata is the only school in the Landmark to have four of its five starters averaging double-digits in points.
The Eagles game against USMMA on Saturday is a double-header. The women take on the Mariners at 2 p.m. with the men following at 4 p.m. Tickets are $4 for adults and $2 for seniors and children aged 12 years and under. All Juniata faculty, staff and students enter for free with college ID.
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