Drury Panthers Game Preview
Drury Panthers (5-3) vs. Central Christian (Mo.) Saints (2-9)
Mon., Dec. 16, 2024 – 6 pm – O'Reilly Family Event Center
 
Tickets
$12 (kids 12 and under FREE)
Order Online
 
Live Coverage
Radio- KICK 92.3 FM / 1340 AM
Live Audio- 923kick.com, TuneIn app
Live Video
Live Stats
 
Promotion
Drury Staff Appreciation Night
 
Panthers return to court to face Central Christian
Drury returns to the floor for the first time since Dec. 7 as they take on Central Christian (Mo.) on Monday at 6 pm in the O'Reilly Family Event Center.
 
The Panthers are 5-3 and coming off a 78-77 loss at home to Truman State in game Drury lost at the buzzer. The Panthers have lost their last two games.
 
Central Christian is 2-9 and fell twice last weekend in the Gorlock Classic hosted by Webster University in St. Louis. The Saints lost to host Webster 101-56 on Friday, then dropped a 96-79 contest to Principia on Saturday. Both opponents are NCAA-III programs.
 
Monday's game is the first meeting ever between Drury and Central Christian.
 
Zach Howell leads Drury, averaging 17.6 points per game, and is shooting 46 percent from three-point range, having hit 30 of 66 attempts. Juok Riak is averaging 13.6 points and is .565 from the field.
 
Monday's game is Drury's last home game for a month. The Panthers travel to Arkansas-Fort Smith on Saturday and have off until Jan. 3, when they play at Rockhurst. Drury plays five straight road games until they are back in the O' on Jan. 16 when they host McKendree. 
 
Getting Defensive
The Panthers have won eight of their first eight games and their defense has been a key factor in their wins. Drury is a +4.3 in turnover margin, forcing 16.6 turnovers per game while committing 12.2. The Panthers are also 5-1 when holding teams to a shooting percentage of less than 46 percent (the GLVC average last year). Drury is 0-2 when their opponents have shot better than 46 percent from the field.
 
About the Saints
Central Christian led by Quinten James, Jr., who is averaging 17.1 points and 6.0 rebounds. The 6-4 forward is a senior from Mobile, Ala.
 
The Saints feature four players from the Springfield area. Gage Johnson is from Weaubleau and Trey Palmer is out of Warsaw, Missouri, and transferred from Mission in Springfield. Cole Hughes attended Central HS and transfered to Central Christian from Baker University, and Silas Massey went to Marshfield HS.
 
The Saints are coached by Jack Defreitas, who is in his 14th season leading their program.
 
 
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