BRYN ATHYN, Pa. – The Bryn Athyn College men's basketball team will attempt to have its first four-game winning streak since the 2015-16 season when it hosts Gallaudet in a North Eastern Athletic Conference (NEAC) contest Saturday afternoon at 1 p.m. in Asplundh Field House.
LAST TIME OUT
The Lions improved to 4-2 overall and 2-0 in the conference after knocking off the College of Saint Elizabeth in a NEAC game, 78-68 on Wednesday night in Asplundh Field House. Bryn Athyn ended the game on a 23-13 run over the final 6:31 to earn the win.
Bryn Athyn's second half during the victory was its best offensive 20 minutes of the season as the Lions scored 48 points, the most in a half this season, and shot 56.7 percent (17-of-30) from the field.
Rahim Washington and Lamarr Crenshaw both set career highs in scoring. Washington shot 8-of-15 from the field to finish with a game-high 24 points, while Lamarr Crenshaw had 23 points on 8-of-14 shooting. Christian Rivera posted a double-double for the second straight game with 10 points and 14 rebounds.
Gallaudet is 2-6 overall, 2-1 in NEAC play, after dropping its first conference game of the season, 74-70 to visiting Lancaster Bible on Wednesday. The Bison led 36-33 at the half but allowed the Chargers to shoot 46.4 percent (13-of-28) as Lancaster Bible rallied to victory.
Noah Valencia recorded a game-high 23 points on 9-of-16 shooting. Andy Cruz added 18 points, while Jamal Garner grabbed a team-high nine rebounds.
SCOUTING THE LIONS
The last time Bryn Athyn won four straight games was Jan. 30 through Feb. 6, 2016. During the current three-game winning streak, the Lions are averaging 80.0 points per game on 44.8 percent shooting from the field, 36.2 percent from 3-point range. The team has committed 15 fewer turnovers than their opponents (39-54) and has 29 steals compared to just 11. Opponents have scored 71.0 points and shooting 41.3 percent overall.
For the season, the Lions are averaging 71.8 points in their six games and shooting just 39.6 percent from the field.
Rahim Washington and Lamarr Crenshaw have led the team in the string of wins. Washington has 19.3 points per game, 5.0 rebounds, 10 assists, and nine steals. Crenshaw posted 18.7 points per game on 50.0 percent shooting, 7.3 rebounds, and five steals.
Washington is the conference's fifth-leading scorer with 18.7 points per game. He is also eighth in made free throws (27) and ninth in steals (13). Crenshaw is ranked 16th in the NEAC at 15.5 points per game and ninth with 26 made free throws.
Christian Rivera has played a big role in the winning streak with 12.3 points, 9.0 rebounds and 12 assists to bring his season totals to 9.5 points per game, 5.8 rebounds, and a team-high 16 assists. Devante Laws has added 8.0 points per game over the last three games.
The Lions are averaging 72.7 points per game at home, one point higher than their season average. Bryn Athyn is shooting 41.6 percent in Asplundh Field House, four percentage points better than they shoot away from home.
SCOUTING GALLAUDET
In its eight games, Gallaudet is averaging 73.4 points per game on 39.1 percent shooting, 39.9 rebounds per game, 13.9 assists per game, and 11.1 steals per game. The Bison have been very strong in conference play so far, eclipsing all of those totals. Gallaudet had 83.7 points per game on 43.5 percent shooting, 41.3 rebounds per game, 16.7 assists per game, and 17.7 steals per game.
Gallaudet has struggled on the road this season, going 1-4 and scoring 72.4 points per game and shooting just 38.0 percent from the field.
In the Bison's two wins, Gallaudet has put up 90.5 points per game and grabbed 48.5 rebounds per game. All five starters reached double figures in both triumphs.
Noah Valencia—the most recent NEAC player of the week—is leading four Bison players in double-figure scoring with 17.5 points per game. In addition to be sixth in the NEAC in scoring, Valencia sits third in made 3-pointers (22) and steals (17) and fifth in made field goals (47). Valencia is averaging 21.0 points per game in conference play, which is fourth in the NEAC. The Bison are 1-4 when he leads the team in scoring.
Andy Cruz is adding 16.3 points per game and tied for the team lead in rebounding with 6.6 boards per game. He has been the team's top scorer in the three other games. Cruz leads the NEAC with 20 steals.
Preston Kelly and Jawaun Jackson are averaging 10.9 and 10.4 points per game. Jackson is the conference's seventh-best 3-pointer shooter at 50.0 percent (11-of-22).
SERIES HISTORY
Saturday is the seventh meeting between the Lions and Bison with Gallaudet leading the series 5-1. The Lions won the very first meeting on Jan. 8, 2015 in Washington D.C.