The York University Lions men's basketball team opens their 2020 schedule with a pair of games at home against the Brock Badgers and No. 7 nationally ranked McMaster Marauders.
 
The Match-up: York (1-11) vs. Brock (5-5) vs. No. 7 McMaster (8-2)
 
Game Details
Brock – Wednesday, Jan. 8 @ 8pm, OUA.tv
McMaster – Saturday, Jan. 11 @ 8pm, OUA.tv
 
Home/Away Records
York – 1-4 at home
Brock – 1-3 on the road
McMaster – 4-2 on the road
 
Current Streak
York – Lost 9
Brock – Lost 2
McMaster – Won 3
 
Last Meetings
The Lions defeated the Marauders 91-81 last season to pick up their third win of the year in due part to offensive outpouring that garnered them 56 points heading into halftime. Six Lions were in double digits, including DeAndrae Pierre, Somto Dimanochie and Prince Kamunga, who each recorded 10 points apiece.
 
The Lions fell to the Badgers the following day 96-94. Despite tying the game with a late three-pointer with six seconds left on the clock, the Badgers were able to pull off buzzer beater to steal the win.
 
QUICK FACTS
 
York

• The Lions are coming off a pair of losses against the division-leading and No. 6 ranked Lakehead Thunderwolves, dropping both games on the road 85-83 and 91-63. In the first game, it was tied down the stretch but a pair of late free throws with just seconds left on the clock prevented the Lions from securing the upset win.
• Despite a slow start to the year, the Lions have been effective rim protectors, ranking fifth in the OUA in blocks per game with 3.6.
• The Lions are also a competitive team from deep, as well as the charity stripe, shooting 31.1% from three, and 70.8% from the free-throw line.

 
Brock

• The Badgers entered the December break on the heels of back-to-back losses, falling to Laurentian 99-86 and Brock 81-64, both on the road.
• Converting on 39.1% of shots from the field, the Badgers can attribute this mark to great passing as they are fifth in the OUA in assists per game with 15.
• Staying active on the defensive end, the squad ranks fifth in steals per game with 9.5.
• After taking on the Lions, the Badgers will return home to face the Toronto Varsity Blues three days later at the Bob Davis Gym.

 
McMaster

• The No. 7 ranked team is coming off their third straight victory, a narrow win over the Varsity Blues 88-84 to close out the 2019 calendar year.
• Cleaning up the boards, the Marauders lead the OUA in defensive rebounds per game with 32.8, and total rebounds per game with 46.2.
• Hitting 31 of their 73 shot attempts per game – third best in the OUA – it's no wonder the Marauders have the second best offence in the league with 86.5 points per game.
• The Marauders will take on the Ryerson Rams at home on Wednesday before making the trip to the Tait McKenzie Centre.

 
PLAYERS TO WATCH
 
York
 
F Prince Kamunga – One of four players in the OUA averaging a double-double with 17.3 points per game and 10.1 rebounds per game. He sits 16^th overall in conference scoring and fourth in rebounds.
 
G/F Nick Russell – Scored 17 points against the Thunderwolves. He is shooting 40% from behind the arc, ranking 13^th in the conference hitting 24-60 from three, and is second in team scoring with 11.4 points per game.
 
Brock
 
F Daniel Cayer – Averaging a double-double with 11.9 points and an OUA second best 11.1 rebounds per game.
 
G Tyler Brown – Has started in every game for the Badgers this season and leads the OUA in minutes per game with 35.3. He is the team leader and ranks 18^th in the OUA with 16.2 points per game.
 
McMaster
 
G Jordan Henry – A member of the 2019 OUA all-rookie team, he ranks third in the OUA in assists with 61 and sixth in points per game with 21, all in OUA fifth 32.6 minutes per game.
 
C Connor Gilmore – Leads his team in free-throw attempts with 56, converting on 83.9% of his shots from the charity stripe – seventh best in the OUA. He is also the team leader, and ranks 12^th in the OUA, with 7.7 rebounds per game and is 23^rd in scoring with 15 points per game.