Cougar Connection
January/February 2008
Tough Non-Conference Slate Paying off for Cougars
Playing one of the toughest non-conference schedules in the RMAC is beginning to pay dividends for the league’s first place Cougars.
The Cougars (10-6, 8-1 RMAC) made it tough on themselves in the early going, taking on Big 12 opponent, Colorado, before traveling south to battle the Air Force Academy Falcons. Far from being outmatched, the men remained competitive, and were paced by pre-season all-American Brian Stamer, who logged a double-double against each Division I foe.
Joining Air Force and Colorado on this year’s schedule were road contests against Northwest Nazarene and #7 Northern State. Combined, the programs are an impressive 28-4 on the season, with Northern’s lone loss coming at the hands of #3 Winona State.
Weathering the rigorous early season program is beginning to pay off for the Cougars, who remained confident throughout and are just now beginning to hit their stride. The men are undefeated at home, and have won five straight heading into this weekend’s date with the Regis Rangers.
This year’s Cougars are devoted to defense and packed with offensive weaponry. As of January 23, the men rank first place in the RMAC and nation in field goal percentage (.539), and three point field goals made (11.38 per game). The Cougars rank first in the RMAC and second in the nation with a blazing .460 three point field goal percentage, while ranking second in the RMAC in scoring offense (79 ppg), and scoring margin (+5.9 ppg).
If you haven’t been to a game yet, come on out and support the men as they look to build on their league-best record and lock up the RMAC regular season championship!
Women’s Basketball on Course for Post-season Action
In case you haven’t been paying attention, the CCU women’s basketball team is off to their best start in years. Following a rigorous non-conference schedule, the women have rebounded to improve to 9-11 and 5-4 in conference play as of January 23.
Currently, the ladies stand at third place in the rugged RMAC East Division, and look to be on pace for a 10 win conference season – a record that should be strong enough for a berth in the conference playoffs.
The Cougars boast a balanced attack this year, led by the high-scoring exploits of super-sophomore, Talmai Aguirre. Aguirre leads the team and the conference this season with a 17.8 points per game average.
However, this year’s lineup is no one (wo)man show. The 2007-08 Cougars are as deep as they are talented. Anchored in the paint by 6’1” sophomore Abby Rosenthal and held together by the imminent double-double threat of Sara Davis and Ms. Intangible, Ainsley Barratt, the ladies tout a starting five that lost only two games to the entire RMAC west division.
Running up a similar record in the always difficult east division will be no walk in the park, but the ladies are optimistic that they have the tools, confidence and momentum necessary to make their first postseason appearance since 2000.
Bailey, Aguirre Earn RMAC Academic Second-Team Honors
Talmai Aguirre of the CCU women’s basketball team and Peter Bailey of the men’s basketball team, have each been named to the RMAC All-Academic Second-Team for their outstanding accomplishments in the classroom and on the court.
To qualify for Academic all-RMAC, student-athletes must have a GPA of 3.20 or better, be a starter or key reserve, and have completed two consecutive semesters at their current institution. Their GPA is what they have earned prior to basketball season beginning. RMAC Sports Information Directors select a First and Second Team Academic All-RMAC. These SID’s took into account the student-athletes work in the classroom, as well as on the basketball court.
While not selected to the RMAC first or second team, Ashley Braasch, Monica Chase, Sara Davis, Katie Miller, Abby Rosenthal and Holly Valdez earned a spot on the RMAC Honor Roll for the women, and Tyler House earned a spot on the Honor Roll team for the men.
Stamer Moves into First Place All-Time in Career Points
Colorado Christian University’s Brian Stamer moved into first place in the Cougar record books Tuesday night with 1,625 career points scored.
Stamer got it done in front of a packed house at the Cougar Event Center, as the pre-season all-American tallied 18 points while swiping 16 rebounds in a 91-76 victory over Metro State.
The do-everything forward currently stands in first place at CCU with 794 career rebounds and 639 made field goals. He also ranks second overall with 169 steals and 80 career blocks.
Brian has logged 34 career double-doubles, and was named a Basketball Times and Division II Bulletin All-American, as well as the RMAC 2007-08 Pre-season Player of the Year.
Cougars Sweep RMAC/NCCAA Player of the Week Honors
Following a sweep of tough back-to-back conference road games in New Mexico, the Cougar men’s and women’s basketball teams brought the brooms out once again, this time sweeping the RMAC and NCCAA Player of the Week Honors on January 14.
Talmai Aguirre, the RMAC’s leading scorer, earned the award for the women’s team, following an impressive 29 point display against New Mexico Highlands, with a 26 point effort versus Western New Mexico.
Over the weekend, Aguirre averaged 27 points, four rebounds and two assists, while shooting 47% from the floor and connecting on 12 of 13 free throw attempts.
On the men’s side of the action, Brian Stamer nabbed his third player of the week nod of the season. Stamer shot a perfect 4-4 in a win over New Mexico Highlands, before logging his sixth double-double of the year with a 26 point 11 rebound effort in a win over Western New Mexico.
The pre-season all-American combined for 34 points and 17 rebounds on the weekend, while shooting an efficient 54% from the floor.
