GAME INFO
Saturday, Jan. 25 -- vs Longwood (Millis Center), 7 p.m.
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The High Point University men's basketball team (5-15, 2-5 Big South) will finish up its two-game homestand at Millis Center when they take on Longwood (6-11, 2-3 Big South) on Saturday (Jan. 25) evening.
 
Matchup History
The Panthers have dominated the all-time series between the programs, holding a 15-6 advantage over their conference rivals. Despite trailing in the all-time series, the Lancers have won the past three matchups, with the most recent being last season's series sweep, 55-51 and 62-59.
 
Across the Bench
The Lancers are looking to get back on track after finding themselves amidst a four-game skid. Their last victory came on the road against Charleston Southern, with Longwood winning comfortably 74-56 and they have not played since Monday, a 71-66 loss to UNC Asheville.
 
Longwood is led by veteran guard Shabooty Phillips, who leads the Lancers in points per game with 11. He's also second on the team in rebounds (4.5) and assists (2.7) per game. Senior Jashaun Smith has also been a key cog for the Lancers, shooting 43% from beyond the arc.
 
Longwood is led by second year head coach Griff Aldrich. In his first season Longwood amassed the second-most wins of the Division I era in program history, earned its first postseason tournament berth of the Division I era and broke the school's three-point record.
 
What a Night for JMW
Freshman John-Michael Wright had a career night in Thursday's overtime loss to Gardner-Webb, dropping a season-high 31 points and eclipsing his personal best with seven three-pointers. His 31 points was the most scored by an HPU freshman since Nick Barbour's 32 points vs Coastal Carolina in 2008. Also, his 20 first half points was the first time a Panther has dropped 20 in an opening period since Andre Fox in the 2017-18 season opener.
 
RP3
Sophomore Rob Peterson III has started the past four games in the absence of Curtis Holland III and has not disappointed. Peterson had a career-high 12 rebounds in Monday's 70-62 win at USC Upstate and was one point away (nine) from a double-double. He went 2-3 from beyond and contributed to HPU's 47.6% (10-21) mark from downtown in the winning effort.
Slay off the Bench
Junior Denny Slay II tied his season-high with 17 points on Monday's win at USC Upstate has averaged 10.5 points over his last four games, including 12 points in Thursday's overtime loss.
 
But He's Only a Freshman
Freshman John-Michael Wright leads all Big South freshmen in scoring averaging with 14.4 per game, which also ranks him eighth in scoring in the conference overall. He is also the top freshman in rebounding with 5.1 boards per game, good enough for 14th overall in the conference. The freshman has now scored at least 10 points in six straight games and 16 times this season.
 
Home Cookin'
Freshman Eric Coleman has stepped his game up when playing at Millis, he's scored in double digits in three of his last four games at home, including 10 points on Thursday. He's averaging 10 points 4.5 rebounds per game in that span
 
Swiper No Swiping!
John-Michael Wright has been a nightmare for opposing ballhandlers this season. The freshman out of Fayetteville has 18 steals, which leads the team.
 
Glass Cleaners
High Point have been terrific on the offensive and defensive boards. They rank second in the Big South in rebounding margin at +3.0.
 
JUST BLOCKin' it
Redshirt Sophomore Caden Sanchez ranks fifth in the Big South with 0.8 blocker per game.
 
Chairman of the Offensive boards
Sanchez ranks fourth in the Big South with 2.3 offensive rebounds a game.
 
They Are Free for a Reason
High Point is the 171st best free throw shooting team in the country.
 
Defensive Boards
High Point leads the Big South with a 31.8 a game rebounding defense.
 
Up Next: HPU heads back on the road on Thursday (Jan. 30) when it travels to Campbell at 7 p.m.
 
 
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