Preview: Culver-Stockton Wildcats at Benedictine Ravens

ATCHISON, Kan. (Interstat) — The Benedictine Ravens look to continue their push toward a winning season when they host the struggling Culver-Stockton Wildcats in an NAIA men’s basketball matchup Wednesday at Ralph Nolan Gymnasium.

The Ravens (10-10) enter at .500, having won three of their last four games. They are coming off an 86-70 home victory over Central Methodist on Jan. 31, powered by a career-high 32 points from guard Brycen LaRue. LaRue has been on a scoring tear, averaging 22.8 points over his last four contests and logging 40 minutes in a road overtime win at Peru State on Jan. 26.

Benedictine defeated Culver-Stockton 82-72 in Canton, Missouri, on Nov. 22 in the teams’ first meeting this season.

The Wildcats (5-17) have lost two straight and eight of their last ten. They are coming off a 78-60 loss at Mount Mercy on Jan. 28. In that game, forward Makieth Deng provided a bright spot with 16 points and three rebounds in 27 minutes off the bench. Deng’s production has been inconsistent, but his scoring punch will be needed against a Benedictine team averaging 75.8 points per game.

For Culver-Stockton, which allows 78.9 points per game, containing LaRue will be the primary defensive challenge. The Wildcats will also rely on contributors like Damar Jenkins and Kamren Wires, who each scored 11 points in the loss to Mount Mercy.

Benedictine has shown balance behind LaRue, with Deaglan Sullivan averaging 19 points and 5 assists in the last outing and Preston Reynolds providing interior defense with 7 rebounds and 2 blocks.

The game tips off at 7:30 p.m. CST Wednesday. Benedictine visits Graceland on Saturday, while Culver-Stockton hosts MidAmerica Nazarene on Feb. 7.