VINCENNES, Ind. - The Vincennes University basketball teams are both in action this weekend in a pair of tournaments. 

The Trailblazer women travel to Panama City, FL to partake in the Gulf Coast Classic, while the men remain at home in hosting the Sodexo Classic.

After breezing through its first three games in winning by an average of 77 points, the sledding for the VU women gets incredibly tougher at Gulf Coast.

Friday night’s opponent, Gulf Coast State finished fourth in the NJCAA Division I National Tournament last season. This season GCS enters with a No. 3 ranking in the preseason polls.

On Saturday, the Trailblazers take on No. 2 ranked Northwest Florida State. Last season NWFS lost in the quarterfinals to eventual national champions, Tallahassee.

“We are in for a whole new level of competition when we go down there,” VU coach Harry Meeks said of this weekend. “But I love going down there and facing those caliber of teams. And I like the upside in which our team is playing with.”

The Trailblazers are shooting over 51 percent from the field, including 39 percent from 3-point range, on the season. 

Jaynice Stovall leads the way offensively with 15 points, 6.3 assists and 6.0 steals per game.

Four other Trailblazers average double digits in scoring as Reeva Hammelman and Jhala Henry both average 13.0, while Cristina De La Cruz-Fuente (11.0) and Arial Watts (10.0) combine for 21 points off the bench.

Hammelman is also averaging 5.0 steals and 3.0 assists per contest.

The Trailblazers are averaging 48 rebounds, while Ivanda Hudjakova pulling down 10 per game. VU opponents are averaging 26 boards per game, which is how many steals the Trailblazers defense is averaging.

The VU men also enter the weekend with a perfect 3-0 record.

The Trailblazers, who have a No. 6 ranking in the preseason polls, play Lincoln Land Friday night and East Mississippi on Saturday night. Both games have 7 p.m. tip-offs.

Much like the women, the men are dominating their opponents early on. The Trailblazers are averaging just under 90 points per game with an average margin of victory just under 40 points.

Keith Clemons leads the team with 17.0 points and 5.0 assists per game,

Kevin Kangu and Lony Francis, Jr. are averaging 12.0 and 10.7 points per game, respectively.

George Dixon is averaging a double-double with 10.0 points and a team best 10.3 rebounds per game.

VU is shooting 46 percent from the field and 33 percent from distance and is out rebounding its opponents, 50-24.

Hall of Fame coach Todd Franklin is pleased with the way his team is playing heading into the weekend.

“The effort has been much better after our first game,” Franklin said. “We will be tested again against East Mississippi, they are good. But our team is fun to watch. We guard, we rebound and have an unselfish group. People should want to come out and pack the gym every night to watch this team play.”

Saturday is also homecoming including a pregame tailgate party with free food, prizes and music trivia which will commence at 5:30 p.m. at the Jefferson Student Union. Homecoming coronation will be during halftime of the game.

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VICKIE PUFFER, Communications Coordinator & Online Newsroom Manager

812-888-4162 office, 812-887-4635 cell, VUNews@vinu.edu, vpuffer@vinu.edu

VINCENNES UNIVERSITY, Department of University Relations, www.vinu.edu/news/newsroom