Drury Panthers (21-8 in 2017-18) in D-2 CCA Tipoff Classic
Nov. 2-4, 2018
Santiago Canyon College Athletic Complex
Orange, Calif.
 
Live Coverage
Radio- KBFL 96.9 FM/1060 AM (Friday)
JOCK 98.7 FM (Saturday-Sunday)
 
Drury opens the 2018-19 season in California  
The Drury Panthers open their 110th intercollegiate basketball season on Friday in the D-2 CCA Tipoff Classic played at the Santiago Canyon College Athletic Complex in Orange, California.
 
Drury tips off at 11 a.m. (Central Time) on Friday against fourth-ranked West Texas A&M, then will face Concordia (Calif.) on Saturday at 1:15 p.m. (Central) and conclude on Sunday against Azusa Pacific with a 3:30 p.m. (Central) game.
 
The Panthers return 14 lettermen and all five starters from a squad that went 21-8 and qualified for the NCAA-II tournament last season. Head coach Steve Hesser will enter his 15th season leading the Drury program and is 302-114 in his collegiate coaching career.
 
Drury brings back two all-conference players from last season. Junior Isaac Johnson came off of the bench to average 12.3 points and shot 37 percent from three-point range, while senior Andrew Ballock averaged 9.9 points last season. Both were 2nd Team All-GLVC selections in 2017-18.
 
West Texas A&M is ranked fourth in the NCAA-II preseason poll after going 32-4 and advancing to the semifinals of the national tournament last year. The Buffs were picked to finish second in the Lone Star Conference preseason poll and return senior guard Ryan Quaid, named a Preseason All-American by The Sporting News after averaging 14.3 points and 9.9 rebounds as a junior.
 
Concordia (Calif.) went 20-11 last year in their first season of being postseason eligible at the NCAA-II level. The Eagles are led by senior guard Brian Chambers who averaged 14 points per game last season and led the PacWest Conference in steals with two per contest. Concordia was picked to finish third in the PacWest.
 
Azusa Pacific was selected for a second place finish in the PacWest Conference after going 21-11 and 15-5 in league play last year. The Cougars lost just two players to graduation off of last season's team and will return Darien McClain, their scoring leader a year ago who averaged 14.6 points.
 
The Panthers will be meeting each of the three programs for the first time in team history.
 
Drury has won 15 straight season-opening games but will be playing their first opener away from home since 2001. This weekend's games also mark Drury's first trip to California since the 1991-92 season when the Panthers played at Biola University and Westmont College.
 
After the three games this weekend, the Panthers will open their home schedule on Friday, Nov. 9 when they host Saint Mary (Kan.) for a 6:30 p.m. tipoff at the O'Reilly Family Event Center.
 
Quick Facts
Records
Drury: 21-8 (2017-18)
#4 West Texas A&M: 32-4 (2017-18)
Concordia (Calif.): 20-11 (2017-18)
Azusa Pacific: 21-11 (2017-18)
 
Head Coaches
Drury- Steve Hesser (15th year, 302-114)
West Texas A&M- Tom Brown (5th year, 96-35)
Concordia: Ken Ammann (18th year, 442-137)
Azusa Pacific: Justin Leslie (12th year, 246-110)
 
Series Records vs. Opponents
Drury vs West Texas A&M: first meeting
Drury vs Concordia: first meeting
Drury vs Azusa Pacific: first meeting
 
Drury Schedule in the D-II CCA Tipoff Classic
Fri.- vs. #4 West Texas A&M, 11am
Sat.- vs. Concordia (Calif.), 1:15pm
Sun.- vs. Azusa Pacific, 3:30 pm
(all times Central)
 
Next
Drury vs Saint Mary (Kan.) – Fri., Nov. 9, 6:30 p.m. – O'Reilly Family Event Center
 
#allweDUiswin