IPFW Continues Conference Play Looking to Stay Undefeated

Fort Wayne, IN - After a road-trip where they went 2-0, the IPFW men's basketball team returns home to host Western Illinois on Thursday night at the Memorial Coliseum. The Mastodons (9-4, 4-0 SL) look to remain perfect in league play against the Fighting Leathernecks (6-7, 1-2 SL).

Western Illinois (6-7, 1-2 SL) at IPFW (9-4, 4-0 SL)
When: Thursday, January 6 - 7:00 p.m.
Where:  Fort Wayne, IN - Memorial Coliseum (10,500)
All-Time Series:  IPFW leads, 7-2

MASTODONS ON THE AIR
Radio: ESPN 1380AM/Internet (Mike Maahs, play-by-play)  6:45 p.m. pregame
Video:  IPFW All-Access

SCOUTING THE MASTODONS
The Mastodons are led in scoring by senior guard Ben Botts (6-0/170/Muncie, IN) at 14.8 points a game.
Sophomore guard Frank Gaines (6-5/190/Ft. Lauderdale, FL) is averaging 12.4 points a game, and senior guard Zach Plackemeier (6-3/190/St. Charles, MO) rounds out the top-three scorers for the 'Dons at 11.2 points a contest.

WHAT 2 WATCH 4
Ben Botts had a career-night vs. Centenary. He drilled a game/career-high 30 points with a career-high eight 3-pointers. For his efforts, he was named Summit League Player of the Week.  The Mastodons again receive votes in this week's Mid-Major Top 25 poll with 14. As a team, IPFW?is 30th in the nation in 3-pointers per game at 8.2. The 'Dons are 28th in 3-point FG defense (28.9%) and in free throw percentage (75.0%). IPFW is also in the Top-50 in assist-to-turnover ratio (49th) at 1.17. Ben Botts is 82nd in the country in field goal percentage, shooting 51.2% from the floor.

SCOUTING THE LEATHERNECKS
The Fighting Leathernecks are led in scoring by senior guard Matt Lander (6-4/185/Evansville, IN) at 17.6 points a game. Junior forward Kaimarr Price (6-8/235/Phoenix, AZ) is second on the team in scoring at 9.0 points a game, while sophomore forward Jack Houpt (6-7/210/Chesterton, IN) rounds out the top three for WIU at 7.6 points a contest.

WHAT 2 WATCH 4
The Leathernecks have been without the services of some of their most important players the past few games. All-Conference preseason selection Ceola Clark has missed the last six games with a toe injury. Clark had been averaging 10.7 ppg. Sophomore center David Gebru has also missed the last four games with a knee problem. WIU barely survived an upset bid by Purdue Calumet on New Year's Day. A desperation triple by the Peregrine's Andrew Anderson fell short at the buzzer preserving a 56-53 win for the Leathernecks.

Complete Western Illinois Game Notes

~Dons~

Purdue University Fort Wayne Athletics

IPFW Continues Conference Play Looking to Stay Undefeated

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