Game Notes | VT Stream | UMBC Stream | Audio

CHARLESTON, S.C. –The Citadel men's basketball team is back in action this weekend when they travel to Virginia Tech on Saturday and UMBC on Monday.
 
The Bulldogs are coming off of a 10-day break after downing Toccoa Falls 144-94 in the last game of the Holy City Hoops Classic on Dec. 7. Zane Najdawi and Warren Sledge each posted double-doubles for The Citadel as the 'Dogs drained a season-high 19 treys and had nine finish in double figures.
 
Virginia Tech comes into the game with an 8-1 record with its only loss coming to Texas A&M in Fullerton, California. This will be the first meeting with UMBC since 1986 when the Bulldogs won 64-61 in Charleston. UMBC currently holds a 7-2 record and will host Towson on Saturday.
 
Tip against the Hokies is set for 1 p.m. Saturday followed by a 7 p.m. tip Monday against the Retrievers. Both games will be broadcast on ESPN3 with live stats available at CitadelSports.com.
 
FAST FACTS
• The Citadel owns the two highest single-game point totals in the NCAA this season after scoring 146 points on Nov. 13 and 144 on Dec. 7. The Bulldogs' 27 steals against Johnson University ranks second in the nation while their 34 assists ranks third. Preston Parks' program-record-tying eight steals against the Suns is also tied for the highest single-game total in the NCAA this season.
• The Citadel scored 50 points in both halves of the game with Toccoa Falls, marking the 13th time this season the squad has posted at least 50 points in a half. The Citadel has also scored at least 100 points in a game six times this season, something Coach Baucom's squad did just twice last year.
• This season, the Bulldogs started 5-0 inside McAlister Field House. The last time a Bulldog squad started 5-0 or better was in 2004-05 when The Citadel reeled off eight straight home wins to start the year.
• The Citadel's high-powered offense ranks first in eight different categories among Southern Conference members including scoring offense (105.4), free throw percentage (.781), rebounding offense (41.9), steals (10.2), assists (21.2), assist/turnover ratio (1.4) offensive rebounds (16.5) and three-point field goals made (14.0).
• Zane Najdawi picked up his second Southern Conference Player of the Week award on Dec. 6, making him the first Bulldog since 2012-13 to win two in one season. The sophomore earned his first weekly honor on Nov. 15, which was the first weekly award for The Citadel since 2014.
• Coach Baucom earned his 200th career win on Nov. 15 with a 119-90 win over Truett McConnell inside McAlister Field House.
• The Citadel is 5-0 this season when shooting at least 40 percent from behind the arc.
• Zane Najdawi (22 points, 10 rebounds) and Warren Sledge (18 points, 10 assists) each posted double-doubles for The Citadel against Toccoa Falls, marking the first time since Jan. 28, 2010 that two 'Dogs had double-doubles in the same game. It's also the second time this season Sledge has recorded 10 assists in a game.
• Last year was the first time in four seasons The Citadel did not face an ACC opponent but the Bulldogs renew that tradition this season when they travel to Virginia Tech. The former Southern Conference foes have faced each other 19 times before but this will be only the second time since 1966.
• The Bulldogs got off to their best start this season since starting 3-1 in 2012-13. It's only the eighth time in 25 years that a Bulldog team started 3-1 or better.
• The Citadel's 35 free throws against Toccoa Falls ties a season best the squad set against Johnson University.
 
For more information on The Citadel basketball, follow @CitadelHoops or visit CitadelSports.com.