SPORTS

 

DAVIDSON, N.C. — After starting off the early non-conference season with a 3-2 record, including a three-game win streak, the Davidson Wildcats will head to the FAU Thanksgiving Invitational this week, set to take on Austin Peay and Florida Atlantic. The ‘Cats will tip off the tournament on Friday, Nov. 26 at 2:30 p.m. against Austin Peay, before turning around on Saturday to take on the host Owls inside their own FAU Arena again at 2:30 p.m.

The Series

• Friday’s meeting with Austin Peay will be the first ever match up between the two schools in program history.
• Davidson will also be meeting Florida Atlantic for the first time in its program’s history on Saturday.
• In the Gayle Fulks era, Davidson has gone 3-5 when competing during the week of Thanksgiving.
• A win on Friday against the Governors will be the Wildcats’ first regular season, neutral site victory since defeating UC Irvine at the Preseason NIT in 2019.
• This time last year, the Wildcats were opening up their season at bdG Sports’ #BeachBubble at the Gulf Coast Showcase. There, Davidson tipped off the year with three eventual 2020-21 NCAA tournament teams, taking on No. 12 Maryland, Wake Forest and Florida Gulf Coast in Fort Myers, Fla.

Five Things to Know
FOR THE BRAND… Davidson’s brand, #ShareShootStifle, has been at the forefront of its play this season, as the ‘Cats rank 66th nationally in assists per game (5.2) and 37th in the nation in total made three’s (37). With a 37.8 three-point field goal percentage, the Wildcats are top-2 in the A-10 and 48th in the country percentage-wise, all while averaging 7.4 made three’s per game so far this season. Individually, senior Cassidy Gould ranks 25th nationally and first in the Atlantic 10 in total assists with 26 dishes.

LAST TIME OUT… The Davidson Wildcats cruised to their third straight victory last Saturday night, downing the reigning Big South champs, High Point University, in a 76-54 win from inside Belk Arena. The ‘Cats shot 47.3 percent from the floor on the night, while draining 25+ field goals for the fourth straight game, and hit 6-of-12 attempts from behind the three-point line. Redshirt sophomore Elle Sutphin led all scorers with a new career-best 23 points, nailing 11-of-19 field goals and grabbing four boards.

FRESH FACES… Aside from Elle Sutphin the Wildcats have eight newcomers on their roster, including Sydney, Australia native, Issy Morgan. Morgan, one of five Aussie natives on the roster, was named the Atlantic 10’s Rookie of the Week on Nov. 22 after averaging 10.0 points per game across a two-game stretch for the ‘Cats at Georgetown and against High Point. The freshman averages 8.6 points per game this season and is shooting 51.9 percent from the floor through five games.

STRENGTH IN NUMBERS… Dating back to the 2019-20 season, Davidson is now 20-6 when making 25 field goals or more in a single game. In those games, the Wildcats shot at least 35.9% or better from from the floor including four performances with a 50% or higher field goal percentage. This season, the ‘Cats have hit 25 or more field goals in their last four games and average 25.6 field goals per game.

TOP HEAVY… Davidson’s 15-woman roster consists of seven returners who combine for over 8,000 minutes played throughout their careers heading into 2021-22. Senior captain Cassidy Gould has the most on-court experience in her tenure, totaling 2,339 minutes played heading into her senior year and averages 27.5 minutes of action per game. Suzi-Rose Deegan also returns to the ‘Cats with an Atlantic 10 Preseason All-Conference Third Team selection, despite appearing in just 10 games last season due to injury. During the 2019-20 campaign Deegan made a splash among the league, garnering an A-10 Rookie of the Year nod at the conclusion of the season.