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MOUNT ST. MARY’S (1-1) at BUCKNELL (2-1)
Wednesday, November 13, 2024, 7 pm
Sojka Pavilion | Lewisburg, Pa.
GAME NOTES | LIVE STATS | WATCH (ESPN+) | LISTEN (MOUNT ALL-ACCESS)
MOUNT STORY LINES
- Mount St. Mary’s suffered a tough defeat at the hands of the University of Maryland, falling decisively 86-52 on Friday night. Despite the setback, the standout performance came from Dallas Hobbs, who notched a career-high 21 points. The Mountaineers began the contest strongly, grabbing an early 10-2 advantage, but Maryland quickly turned the tide, seizing control midway through the first half and steadily building on their lead. Hobbs’ impressive shooting included a perfect 5-for-5 from beyond the arc, while Dola Adebayo contributed solidly with 11 points and five rebounds.
- This match marks the first encounter between Mount St. Mary’s and Bucknell in nearly eight years. The last meeting took place on December 19, 2016, when Bucknell triumphed with an 81-65 victory, thus leading the all-time series with 13 wins to 11 losses against the Mountaineers. Prior to that, Mount St. Mary’s celebrated a win over Bucknell in the preceding season, claiming an 81-73 home victory on December 8, 2015. The teams previously squared off in a preseason charity exhibition at Knott Arena last year, where Mount St. Mary’s secured a thrilling 72-67 victory after two overtime periods.
- This upcoming game will be the Mount’s first of two scheduled matchups against teams from the Patriot League this season. Besides the clash at Bucknell, they will also host Loyola at Knott Arena on December 14. Last season, Mount St. Mary’s managed to split their games against Patriot League foes with a record of 1-1, bringing their all-time record against teams within this conference to 27 wins and 39 losses. The Mountaineers, however, have struggled historically, winning just 2 of their last 12 encounters against Patriot League opponents.
- Dallas Hobbs not only led his team in scoring against Maryland but also showcased remarkable shooting proficiency, going 5-for-5 from three-point range. This achievement positions him among an elite group of five Mountaineers in school history to hit five or more three-pointers in a game without a miss. The record is held by Kevin Booth, who achieved a perfect 7-for-7 against Widener on January 21, 1989. Other notable performances include Dakota Leffew’s 5-for-5 against Siena (12/3/23), Chris Vann’s 5-for-5 at James Madison (11/24/07), and Will Miller’s 5-for-5 at Norfolk State (1/3/14).
- Dola Adebayo, a Preseason Third-Team All-Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference selection, has consistently demonstrated his scoring ability by recording double figures in each of the Mount’s opening pair of games. As a 6-8 redshirt junior, Adebayo is averaging an impressive 13.5 points and 6.0 rebounds per game, while displaying exceptional efficiency with a shooting percentage of 64.3 (9-of-14) from the field.
- Up next for Mount St. Mary’s, they will face off against Saint Francis University on Saturday, November 16, at 7:00 p.m.
**Interview with Coach Rob McClain of Mount St. Mary’s Basketball Ahead of the Game Against Bucknell**
**Editor:** Thank you for joining us today, Coach McClain. Mount St. Mary’s is gearing up for a big game against Bucknell this Wednesday. Looking back at the previous game against the University of Maryland, how do you think that loss impacts the team heading into this matchup?
**Coach McClain:** Thank you for having me. The loss to Maryland was tough, but it has given us some valuable lessons. The way we started that game showed we have potential, but we need to maintain that momentum throughout all four quarters. Dallas Hobbs’ performance was a bright spot, and we’ll be looking to build on that as we prepare for Bucknell.
**Editor:** Speaking of Dallas Hobbs, his shooting was impressive, especially his performance from beyond the arc. How are you planning to utilize his skills in the upcoming game?
**Coach McClain:** Dallas has grown significantly in his game, and we plan to put him in positions where he can thrive. His shooting ability helps spread the floor, which opens up opportunities for our other players, like Dola Adebayo, to make impactful plays. Offensively, we want to create a system where our perimeter players can find quality looks.
**Editor:** This will be the first time Mount St. Mary’s and Bucknell have met in nearly eight years. What are your thoughts on this long-standing rivalry and its historical context?
**Coach McClain:** It’s definitely an interesting dynamic. Historically, these teams have had some tight games. With Bucknell having the upper hand in the all-time series, we’ve got some catching up to do. Our guys are excited; rivalries bring out the best in teams, and it’s motivating for us to try to even the score.
**Editor:** You also mentioned in your last press conference that you’re implementing some new strategies this season. Can you share a bit about what adjustments fans might see during the game?
**Coach McClain:** Absolutely! We’ve been focusing on a more dynamic offensive strategy. We want to increase our pace and create more fast-break opportunities while ensuring our defense is aggressive and disciplined. Fans can expect a high-energy game as we try to push the tempo against Bucknell.
**Editor:** Lastly, Coach, what would you like to say to the fans as they prepare to support the team at Sojka Pavilion?
**Coach McClain:** We appreciate all the support from our fans. Your energy is vital for us during the games. We want to give you a show and hopefully put a win on the board for Mount St. Mary’s. Let’s make some noise on Wednesday!
**Editor:** Thank you, Coach McClain, for your insights. Best of luck in the game against Bucknell!
**Coach McClain:** Thank you! We’re ready to bring our best.
