Friday, January 30, 2009

MACON, Ga. - The CSS Atlantic Sun Game of the Week offers a historic showdown in Jacksonville when the Dolphins host the ETSU Buccaneers in a battle for first place in the conference. Both teams enter at 9-1 and atop the standings.

ETSU beat Jacksonville at home by a bucket, 84-82, on January 3rd led by Courtney Pigram’s 39 points. Mike Smith hit the game-winning shot with 4.5 seconds remaining. The contest marks the first time two A-Sun teams with as great a combined conference win percentage (.900, 18-2) with at least nine league games played will have faced each other in almost five years (9-2 Troy defeated 11-0 UCF on Jan. 31, 2004). Additionally, tonight's game will be the first between two A-Sun teams with 9-1 records since College of Charleston defeated Samford on February 4, 1995.

Since ETSU joined the league in 2005, the Buccaneers own a 5-1 advantage on the Dolphins. The two have dominated league play as both own scoring margins larger than 10 points per game against conference opponents. The rank first and second in conference only play in points scored, fewest points allowed, scoring margin, field goal percentage and steals per game.

Matt Stewart and Sonny Smith will be on the call. Cox Communications subscribers can catch the action courtesy of Cox Sports Television. For those outside of CSS and CST markets, the game can also be seen on ASun.TV.