The Falcons Visit Chowan In CIAA Battle At 4 p.m.

RALEIGH, NC (Dec 16) – On Saturday, Dec. 17, Saint Augustine's University will try to gain its fourth straight victory when the Falcons visit Chowan University in a CIAA men's basketball matchup at the Helms Center in Murfreesboro, N.C. Tip-off is 4 p.m.

The Falcons (2-0 CIAA, 7-5 overall) have won their last three contests and five of their last six games with a balanced offense and tenacious defense. Guard Anthony Gaskins (Sr./Greenville, NC) and forward Quincy January (Sr./Atlanta, GA) are the top two scorers but the Falcons are getting contributions from other players such as guard Kenneth Collins (Jr./Clayton, NC), guard-forward Chris Melton (So./Richmond, VA) and guard JaQwan Ruffin (R-Fr./Ahoskie, NC).

Gaskins (17.8) and January (17.1) rank third and fourth, respectively, in the CIAA in points per game. Collins average 12.3 points per game and Ruffin scored 11 points - including 3 for 5 three-pointers – in only his second game in a Falcons uniform Thursday. Melton had 14 points in Tuesday's win over Virginia State University. Gaskins (29) and Collins (27) rank first and second, respectively, in the CIAA in three-pointers made.

Defensively, the Falcons have held their last three opponents to 63 points or less. Ranked second in the CIAA in points allowed (67.8), the Falcons are 7-1 when limiting teams to less than 70 points.

Last season's CIAA Defensive Player of the Year, January has been on a tear as of late. The 6-foot-7 forward, who ranks third in the CIAA in rebounding average (10.3), has recorded four consecutive double-doubles including 18 points and 10 rebounds in a 74-63 win over Elizabeth City State University on Thursday. He has six double-doubles on the season.

The Falcons will face a tough opponent in Chowan (2-0 CIAA, 6-2 overall), which leads the CIAA in points per game (80.1). Four Hawks average double figures in scoring including guard Kevin Kuteyi, who leads the team in points per game (16.0). Forward Jeremy Smith averages 15.5 points, guard Marco Haskins, last season's CIAA Rookie of the Year, averages 13.8 points and forward Joe Goodwin scores at 10.1 points a clip. The Hawks rank sixth in the CIAA in points allowed (74.4).

After playing three road games in five days, the Falcons will take a holiday break before returning to action against William Peace University on Monday, Jan. 2, 2017 at Emery Gymnasium. The contest will start at 7 p.m.