The Game Stories
}Edinboro snapped a two-game losing streak last Saturday with an 81-74 win at Lock Haven, but following an 86-75 overtime loss to Indiana(Pa.) the Fighting Scots have dropped three of their last four contests. They have played the last two games with leading scorer and rebounder Bryan Theriot, who is averaging 20.4 ppg. and 10.6 rpg.
 
}Edinboro will hold Suits and Sneakers Game on Saturday when Slippery Rock visits McComb Fieldhouse, with head coach Greg Walcavich and his staff wearing sneakers as part of the Coaches vs. Cancer Suits and Sneakers Awareness Weekend.
 
}Jay Fletcher comes off a pair of outstanding efforts. The senior guard was injured in the Gannon game, but he was able to return at Lock Haven. In fact, he had a then season-high 27 points and pulled down a career-high 12 rebounds. He scored 20 of his points in the second half as the Scots rallied from a 39-31 halftime deficit. On Wednesday he matched his career-best with 30 points, making8 of 15 three pointers after drilling 5 of 10 at Lock Haven. Fletcher scored 25 of his points in the second half.
 
}The Fighting Scots come in with a 106 record and are 66 in the PSAC West. They won five of eight games against the Eastern Division, but had lost to California(Pa.) and Gannon in the Western Division prior to the win over Lock Haven. The 105 ledger is the best after 15 games since 2008-09.
 
}Edinboro concludes a stretch of five home games in six contests with a brutal three game set that started out with PSAC West co-leaders Indiana(Pa.), and now brings in the Slippery Rock team that is tied with IUP. Saturday's game is followed by a contest on Wednesday, January 30 against Mercyhurst. All told, those three teams have a combined record of 38-12.
 
THE HEAD COACHES
}Head coach Greg Walcavich is in his 24th season in charge of the Fighting Scots, showing a 422-247 record. Including stints at Birmingham Southern and West Virginia Wesleyan he is 576-310 Overall as he is in his 31st season as a head coach.
 
}Slippery Rock has returned to prominence in the PSAC under fifth-year head coach Kevin Reynolds. The former Edinboro assistant coach under Greg Walcavich has led The Rock to the PSAC playoffs three of his first four years. SRU was 17-10 a year ago. The Rock is 13-3 overall, with the losses to Lake Erie ( in overtime (80-73), West Chester (56-53) and East Stroudsburg (84-72).
 
}Edinboro faces another one of the to rebounding teams in the PSAC in Slippery Rock. In fact, The Rock leads the conference in rebounding margin at plus 12.9 rpg. The Fighting Scots were at a distinct disadvantage on the glass on Wednesday against IUP, another of the league's top rebounding outfits, being outrebounded 45-32. A week before that Gannon, also near the top in the PSAC, held a 39-24 edge.
 
}Edinboro was picked to finish fourth in the PSAC West. Slippery Rock, meanwhile, was chosen second in the Western Division and actually matched IUP, the favorite, with three first place votes apiece.
 
Scouting Slippery Rock
}Slippery Rock is led by former Edinboro assistant coach Kevin Reynolds, who has returned The Rock to a position of prominance in the PSAC. SRU was picked to finish second in the PSAC West preseason coaches poll, and is currently tied with IUP for first place at 10-2. The Rock is 13-3 overall following Wednesday's 75-58 win over California(Pa.), the fourth win in a row. Reynolds has plenty of weapons, beginning with Devin Taylor. The 6'6” senior ranks second in the PSAC in rebounding (11.2 rpg.) after leading the conference a year ago. The former transfer from LaRoche and a first team All PSAC West pick last year adds 14.2 ppg. Gerald Brooks, a 6'5”, 230 lb. senior, is next at 14.0 ppg. and 7.9 rpg, although he has played in just ten games. The transfer from IUP became eligible after the first semester. He is a former three time All PSAC performer who scored over 1,100 points and pulled down over 500 rebounds at IUP. Darious Clark, an Illinois State transfer, contributes 13.6 ppg. and is the top 3point threat with 36 in 105 attempts. He is a 6'3” senior. Tabari Perry, a 6'8” junior who was a second team All PSAC West selection last year, adds 11.6 ppg. and 6.8 rpg. Luiz Santos doesn't score much (6.9 ppg.), but the 6'10” senior is a force on the glass with 7.1 rpg. in just 22 minutes.
 
The Edinboro-Slippery Rock Series
}Edinboro leads 85-76
This marks the 162nd meeting between Edinboro and Slippery Rock. The Rock has won the last five meetings, and SRU is 6-2 vs. Edinboro since Kevin Reynolds took over as head coach. Fighting Scots' head coach Greg Walcavich is 30-16 against The Rock.
 
Last Year's Meetings
}January 21, 2012 -- Slippery Rock 85, Edinboro 57
Cory Somerville scored 19 points for the Fighting Scots but it was hardly enough in the lopsided loss at Morrow Field House. The Rock dominated the glass with 47 rebounds, 17 on the offensive end, compared to 27 for Edinboro. Edinboro also shot just 30.2 percent from the floor. SRU held a 50-31 lead at the half. Bryan Theriot added 13 points for the Fighting Scots. Devin Taylor added 14 points and 11 rebounds and Tabari Perry totaled 14 points. Luiz Santos pulled down 11 rebounds.
 
}February 11, 2012 -- Slippery Rock 76, Edinboro 68
Slippery Rock grabbed a 36-26 lead at the hald and led by double figures for much of the second half before the Fighting Scots pulled to within seven points at 71-64 with 1:18 remaining. The Scots were unable to complete the comeback as SRU made 5 of 6 free throws after that. Slippery Rock again dominated on the boards with a 48-30 advantage. Isaiah Prince dropped in 22 points to lead all scorers, with Clint Nicholson adding 18 points. Chaquille Pratt had 20 points in 18 minutes for SRU. Devin Taylor added 16 points and 14 rebounds, while Aubin Reeves scored 16 points.
 
The Coaches
}Greg Walcavich, Edinboro is in his 24th season at the helm of the Fighting Scots and his 31st overall as a head coach. He has a 422-247 record at Edinboro and is 576-310 overall. Walcavich has also previously served as the head coach at Birmingham Southern and West Virginia Wesleyan. (For an indepth bio see page 9)
 
}Kevin Reynolds, Slippery Rock
The former Edinboro assistant coach has resurrected Slippery Rock's basketball fortunes. Since taking over the program in May 2008 he has led The Rock to PSAC playoff berths three of his first four years after inheriting a program that had not had a winning season since 1999-00. In his first season he guided SRU to a 21-8 finish. After the season he was recognized as the PSAC West Coach of the Year. The Rock finished the 2010-11 season with a record of 21-11. SRU advanced all the way to the finals of the PSAC Tournament and ultimately earned a berth in the NCAA Division II Tournament.
 
The Last Time Out
}Indiana(Pa.) 86, Edinboro 75 ot
The Fighting Scots staged a valiant effort, rallying from 18 points down in the second half to send the game into overtime. Unfortunately, IUP dominated the overtime period and would score the final nine points of the night while holding Edinboro scoreless over the final three minutes. The backcourt tandem of Jay Fletcher and Isaiah Prince was brilliant in defeat. Fletcher matched his career high with 30 points, with 25 of those in the second half. He made 8 of 15 three pointers, including seven in the second half. Prince added 21 points and a team-high six assists.
 
}Slippery Rock 75, California(Pa.) 58
The Rock won its fourth straight game thanks to a dominating defensive effort. Slippery Rock held Cal to 30.0 percent shooting from the floor and also outrebounded the Vulcans, 42-33. SRU had four players score in double figures, led by Gerald Brooks, who came off the bench to finish with 17 points and seven rebounds. Tabari Perry added 15 points and seven rebounds, while John Bayardelle had 13 points. Luiz Santos chipped iin 10 points and Devin Taylor had a team- high 10 rebounds.