Published: November 23, 2007 11:06 pm         

Unbeaten Cougars look to continue roll vs. Allen

Mountain State University, coming off one of its top performances of the year Tuesday in a 103-78 win over Rio Grande, hosts fellow Division I Independent Allen today at the Beckley-Raleigh County Convention Center.

The game will tip off at 1 p.m. It was originally scheduled for 4 p.m. but was changed to give fans time to return home in time for the Big East title game between Connecticut and WVU at 3:30 p.m.

The No. 5 Cougars (5-0) topped 100 for the first time on the year and shot a blazing 68 percent in the second half (26-38) en route to rolling up 60 points in the half against Rio Grande.

Four players tilted doubled figures and three players had double-doubles.

“Offensively, we were very efficient,” Mountain State coach Bob Bolen said. “I know some nights we’re going to make ’em, some nights we’re not. But we have to be consistent in running our sets and consistent in pushing the ball on the break.”

The Cougars have shot well as a team on the season.

Four MSU starters are shooting better than .500 on the season and the Cougars, as a team, are shooting .510 (185-363).

James Spencer (.614 from the field) continues to pace the Cougars. His 28.2 average is currently second in the nation to Union University’s Matt Neaville, who is averaging 30.5 points per game. Union and MSU meet Dec. 1 at Union.

Adron Marshall (.548), who has been hot of late, is the only other Cougar in double figures, at 16.4 points per game, as well as a team-high 7.8 rebounds per game.

Jarvis Jackson (.606) is averaging 9.8 points and 7.0 assists, 6-10 James McGriff (.529) is averaging 9.0 points and 5.4 rebounds and Tyrice Watkins, rounding out the starting unit, averages 8.6 and 7.0 rebounds.

“We’re executing for the most part and our shot selection has been good,” Bolen said of the Cougars’ hot shooting. “And it shows that, at times, we’re getting into our running game.”

In Allen, the Cougars will encounter a team in search of its first win of the year (0-4).

The Yellow Jackets are led by Byron Littlejohn, a 5-foot-9 point guard who averages 16 points a game. John Doctor (6-5) and Hiram Carolina (6-5) average 14 and 13, respectively.

“They push the basketball,” Bolen said. “Their big men, even though they are 6-5, can handle the ball. They are good at spreading defenses out and they’re quick off the dribble.”

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