Emory Men's Basketball Preps For Weekend Action

GAME FACTS -  After earning its second straight win on the road Tuesday evening at Huntingdon College, the Emory men's basketball team gears up for a pair of weekend contests.  The Eagles venture to LaGrange College where it will play in the GABCA Coaches vs. Cancer Classic this Saturday and Sunday (Nov. 28-29).  Emory will meet Maryville College on Saturday in a 2:00 p.m. start with Oglethorpe and LaGrange following.  On Sunday, Oglethorpe and Maryville get things started at 2:00 p.m., with Emory and LaGrange hitting the court for a scheduled 4:00 p.m. contest.

Following the Coaches vs. Cancer Classic, Emory will make its home debut on Wednesday, Dec. 2, when it hosts LaGrange in a 7:00 p.m. tip.

THE COACHES - Leading the Emory program is third-year Head Coach Jason Zimmerman (Davidson, '94)  Named head coach in April of 2007, Zimmerman came to Emory after serving as an assistant coach at the University of Evansville (2003-04 through 2006-07).  Prior to his stint with the Aces, Zimmerman was an assistant at Davidson College for seven years (1996-97 through 2002-03).

Randy Lambert (Maryville) is in his 30th year as the head coach of the Maryville College program.  During his tenure with the Scots, he has guided the program to 11 consecutive and 16 trips to the NCAA Tournament while compiling a school and career record of 549-232.

In his ninth season as the head coach at LaGrange College is Warren Hayes (LaGrange, 1998).  Hayes will take a school and career won-lost slate of 85-128 into Friday's action vs. Oglethorpe.

2009-10 RECORDS - Emory stands 2-0 after coming away with a 91-82 decision at Huntingdon College on Tuesday.  The Eagles received double-figure scoring from four players including sophomore Corey Spraggins who finished with career highs with 19 points and 10 rebounds.  Sophomore Austin Claunch and freshman Alex Greven each totaled 18 points while senior Chad Hixon came off the bench to produce 15 points. Emory trailed by a 44-40 margin at halftime but outscored the Hawks by a 51-38 margin during the second half of action.

Maryville will take a 4-0 record into its meeting with Emory.  The Scots hosted the Campbell Memorial Tournament last weekend and picked up victories over Webster (84-70) and Wabash (86-79).

LaGrange starts the weekend with a 1-3 mark. The Panthers notched their first win of the campaign on Tuesday when they topped the University of the South, 56-50.

Emory's Top Offensive Scoring Efforts Under Zimmerman    

SERIES RECORDS -  In a series that began in 1990, Maryville holds a 14-6 lead over Emory.  The  Scots have won three of the last four and six of the last eight encounters including an 81-64 win at Oglethorpe last season.

Emory claims a 12-2 all-time mark against LaGrange. The Eagles topped the Panthers twice last season, 87-73 at Olgthorpe and 91-72 by LaGrange.

NOTES - Corey Spraggins' effort at Huntingdon represented his first career double double ... Emory's 91 points marked the seventh time during Zimmerman's tenure as head coach that the team had scored 90 or more points in a game ...  Chad Hixon's 15 points represented his 17^th career game of double-figure scoring ... Emory sank 26-of-36 free throw attempts against Huntingdon, raising the program's record to 7-1 when converting 25 or more charity tosses during Zimmerman's stint as head coach ... After outscoring the Oglethorpe bench by a 20-11 margin, the Emory reserves posted a 28-18 scoring advantage against Huntingdon.