THE CITADEL-FLORIDA CHRISTIAN GAME NOTES
Charleston, S.C.- For just the second time in program history and first time since the 2005-06 season, The Citadel will host Florida Christian at McAlister Field House on Monday evening. Tip-off between the Bulldogs and Suns is set for 7:05 p.m.
FOUR STRAIGHT DOUBLE-DOUBLES: Junior Mike Groselle enters Monday's game against Florida Christian with the opportunity to become the first player in Citadel Basketball history to record a double-double in five straight contests.
The current string of double-doubles dates back to the 2011 Southern Conference Tournament against Elon, when he finished with 12 points and 12 rebounds. He carried that performance over to the All Military Classic where he recorded 25 points and 11 rebounds in the season-opener against VMI. Less than 24 hours later, Groselle finished with 16 points and 10 rebounds in an 83-72 comeback victory over Army. That placed him in unique company as the first player in program history to have two separate stretches of three double-doubles in his career. Groselle extended the streak to four straight when he finished with 16 points and 11 rebounds against Clemson on Nov. 16, tying marks set by Regan Truesdale and J'Mel Everhart for four consecutive double-doubles.
It marks the longest stretch of consecutive double-doubles in Groselle's career after a three-game stretch in February, 2011 against College of Charleston (10 pts., 10 rebs.), Georgia Southern (17 pts., 10 rebs.) and Western Carolina (15 pts., 11 rebs).
HITTING THE CENTURY MARK: The last time that The Citadel went head-to-head with Florida Christian on Nov. 28, 2005, they tied the mark for the second-most points in program history, and largest winning margin (+83), as the Bulldogs outscored the Suns 126-43. The Citadel converted 49 field goals in that contest and were paced by Mark Schiavoni's 28 points. Schiavoni converted 11-of-15 field goals and was joined in double-digit scoring by the likes of Dante Terry (20 pts.), Donny McLendon (14 pts.), Warren McLendon (13 pts.) and Demetrius Nelson (10 pts.) The Cadets hit 49-of-82 (59.8%) from the field, including 11-of-27 from beyond the arc. After hitting 54.5% (30-for-55) from the field in the first half, The Citadel knocked down 19-of-27 (70.4%) of their field goal attempts in the second half, including seven from 3-point range.
GROSELLE'S FOURTH STRAIGHT DOUBLE-DOUBLE HIGHLIGHTS CITADEL OFFENSIVE ATTACK: The Citadel's junior center Mike Groselle recorded his fourth straight double-double, 16 points and 11 rebounds, but it was ACC foe Clemson that emerged with a 73-50 victory at McAlister Field House in front of 5,186 in attendance. Groselle, the lone Bulldog in double figures, was joined alongside teammates Cosmo Morabbi and Bo Holston, who netted eight points, respectively.
The Citadel (1-2) struggled to find their offensive rhythm, converting 19-of-63 (30.2%) from field goal range, including 5-of-19 (26.3%) from beyond the arc. Groselle scored 14 of his game-high 16 points by virtue of hitting 7-of-13 from the field. He crashed the offensive boards for five of 11 total rebounds and along the way became just the third player in Citadel Basketball history to post four straight double-doubles in his career. Morabbi led the way for the Bulldogs from beyond the arc, hitting 2-of-4 attempts, which accounted for six of his eight total points. Meanwhile, Holston knocked down 3-of-9 field goals and hauled in five rebounds for the Cadets.
Clemson (2-0) took advantage of double figures from the trio of Devin Booker (14 pts.), Tanner Smith (11 pts.) and Milton Jennings (10 pts.). The Tigers were 29-of-54 (53.7%) from the floor as a unit, due in large part to hitting better than 50% for each half. Four Clemson players hit one 3-pointer each, including Booker and Smith. Smith posted a team-high seven rebounds, while T.J. Sapp and Catalin Baciu added six each to give Clemson a 40-38 edge on the boards.
PREVIEWING FLORIDA CHRISTIAN
BETHUNE-COOKMAN DOWNS FLORIDA CHRISTIAN, 62-44: Bethune-Cookman wasn't up to par in their 2011-12 home opener, but pulled away in the second half to emerge with an an 18-point win over Florida Christian College, Thursday night at Richard V. Moore Gymnasium, to earn their first win of the season.
Florida Christian kept the game tight in the early going of the first half, holding B-CU to single-digit scoring over the first eight minutes of action. After the Wildcats created a little breathing room at the mid-point of the first half, FCC slowly crept back to force a 19-19 tie.
With the two teams separate by a single possession, the Bethune-Cookman offense came alive with three minutes remaining. Sparked by the play of Kevin Dukes, who had three points, two steals and an assist in the span, B-CU ended the half on a 7-0 run. The run, which consisted of two fast break scores, set the tone that would carry over into the second half.
Early in the second period, B-CU extended its lead to double figures and never looked back. The Wildcats cleaned up their shooting, hitting 50 percent, forced five steals which lead to eight points off turnovers. The B-CU lead extended to as many as 18, as the score rested at 62-44 when the final whistle blew.
B-CU shot just 39.3 percent from the free throw line (11-for-28), but managed to capitalize on a strong 15-steal defensive performance to finish with 23 points off turnovers.
Newcomer Adrien Coleman put on a show for the crowd of 528 on a pair of powerful dunks. He showcased his ability to finish in the paint, hitting 10-for-13 from the field, including one from long distance, to close with a game-high 24 points and lead the Wildcats.
The two teams finished tied in rebound with each posting 40 apiece in the game, with B-CU taking the advantage on the offensive glass, collecting 13 second chance points.
After committing several early turnovers, Garrius Holloman bounced back and led Bethune-Cookman on the boards with nine rebounds to go along with nine points and a team-high four steals.
Freshman guard Ricky Johnson split time on the floor at the point and handed out five assists.
For more information on Bulldog Basketball, visit the official website of The Citadel Athletics at www.CitadelSports.com.
