Purdue Fort Wayne
Northern Arizona
'Dons Take 3-0 Start to the Desert for the Arizona Tipoff
11/16/2023 9:47:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Game Day Information
Who: Purdue Fort Wayne Mastodons (3-0) vs. Northern Arizona (1-2)
When: Friday, November 17 | 4:30 p.m. ET
Where: Glendale, Ariz. | Desert Diamond Arena
Live Stats: Link
Video: None
Radio: 1380 AM
Series Record: First Meeting
Game Day Information
Who: Purdue Fort Wayne Mastodons vs. South Dakota or VMI
When: Saturday, November 18 | 2 p.m. ET or 4:30 p.m. ET
Where: Glendale, Ariz. | Desert Diamond Arena
Live Stats: Link
Video: None
Radio: 1380 AM
Series Record: 'Dons lead South Dakota 11-10, trail the series with VMI 0-1
Game Notes (PDF): Purdue Fort Wayne | Northern Arizona
KNOW YOUR FOE:
// Northern Arizona played at Seattle U on Wednesday, winning 62-60. They opened the season with a 95-52 loss at UConn and an 89-55 loss at Grand Canyon. Trent McLaughlin had 19 points in the win over Seattle U.
'DONS AND ENDS:
// This is the Mastodons' first 3-0 start since 1999, making this the first 3-0 start as a Division I program for the 'Dons.
// Rasheed Bello was named the Horizon League Player of the Week and Corey Hadnot II earned the Freshman of the Week honor for their play in the Mastodons' first three games of the season. Bello averaged 20.3 points per game. He shot 51.3 percent (20-of-39) from the floor, making 5-of-11 from three. He recorded 11 assists with only one turnover on the week. Bello scored 29 points vs. Texas A&M-Commerce. Hadnot averaged 9.7 points in the Mastodons' three games. He scored nine points in 29 minutes in the Mastodons' win over DePaul.
// This is only the Mastodons' second ever trip to Arizona for a contest. The 'Dons defeated Grand Canyon on Nov. 30, 2019 in Phoenix 71-60.
// A win over Northern Arizona would give the 'Dons a four-game win streak. The 'Dons have had a winning streak of at-least four games in every season since 2009-10 except for one (2017-18). That is 13-of-14 seasons.
// Rasheed Bello is averaging 20.4 points per game with 11 assists and only one turnover. The 11:1 mark is sixth in the nation.
// Eight 'Dons are averaging double-digit minutes per game.
// Six 'Dons have 10 or more field goals on the season.
// 32.8 percent of points this season (98-of-298) have come off turnovers.
// Rasheed Bello is sneaking up on 1,000 career points. His Mastodon point total combined with his 791 points at NCAA Division II UW-Parkside has him at 852 career NCAA points.
// The 'Dons have partnered with Team IMPACT to add Bolton Richardson to the squad in 2023-24. Added to the team at a signing ceremony in July, Bolton will be at games, practices and other team activities.
NATIONAL RANKINGS:
// 1st in turnover margin (+16.0)
// 4th in scoring margin (+42.0)
// 4th in turnovers forced per game (22.67)
// 5th in fewest turnovers per game (6.7)
// 5th in fast break points (26.3)
// 7th in assist/turnover ratio (2.50)
// 8th in points per game (99.3)
// 10th in steals per game (12.7)
ON THE TEXAS A&M-COMMERCE WIN:
// The 'Dons forced 17 turnovers while committing only six. They turned these 17 turnovers into 26 points.
// The 'Dons led for 38+ minutes of the game.
// Purdue Fort Wayne limited the Lions to 17.4 percent from three (4-of-23).
// Rasheed Bello (10-of-18), Anthony Roberts (8-of-14), Eric Mulder (3-of-3) and Corey Hadnot II (4-of-8) each shot 50 percent or better from the floor.
// The 'Dons had 44 points in the paint, for 51 percent of their scoring (44-of-86).
// Anthony Roberts finished with 17 points and a Mastodon career-high 10 rebounds for his first double-double as a 'Don.
Players Mentioned
