Men's Basketball Set to Host Pair of Patriots

San Antonio • Bill Greehey Arena
Thursday, Feb. 2 • UT Tyler (9-9, 5-9) at St. Mary's • 7:30 p.m.
Saturday, Feb. 4 • DBU (12-10, 7-7) at St. Mary's • 3 p.m.

Opening Tip

•    Due to inclement weather in the state of Texas, the Battle of the Saints on Tuesday in Austin has been moved to Feb. 21. The Rattlers will host a pair of Patriots in rematches on Thursday and Saturday.

•    The top three-ranked three-point field goal defenses in the Lone Star Conference will all be in Bill Greehey over the weekend as the Rattlers are 1st holding opponents to shoot .293, UT Tyler is second at .298 and DBU is third at .301. 

•    Emmanuel Ewuzie was named the Lone Star Defensive Player of the Week on Monday, earning the weekly award for the first time in his career. Ewuzie tallied six blocked shots and 12 of his 13 rebounds were on the defensive end of the floor, limiting second-chance opportunities. He was also extremely efficient, shooting 75 percent from the floor. The big man collected two steals, five assists and only one turnover in 53 minutes.

•    The Rattlers wrapped up their second-straight winning month with a 5-4 record in January. 

•    The StMU defense has held the last five opponents below 65 points and limited four of the five to less than 60 points. The Rattlers have climbed to second in the Lone Star and 21st in the nation, allowing 64.5 points per game.

•    The Rattlers currently have two players ranked in the top-10 in the Lone Star Conference in free throw percentage as Tyler Caron sits in sixth at 87.7 and Caleb Jordan ranks eighth at 84.4.

•    Senior Emmanuel Ewuzie has blocked at least one shot in 12 straight games and already has 39 on the year. That total places him in a tie for fourth on the St. Mary's single season charts with Justin Alexander (2013-14) and he is five shy of tying the school record. 

•    Senior Caleb Jordan climbed into ninth on the StMU career scoring chart with 1,477 points and he is 21 points from tying Anthony Houston (1986-89) for eighth. Jordan also ranks second in career steals with 118 and holds the free throws made record at 376.