CUA hits the road for pair of tough games this weekend

WASHINGTON - The push for the postseason is in full effect this weekend when CUA heads to Pennsylvania to face Juniata and Susquehanna.  The Cardinals suffered a heartbreaking two-point loss to Merchant Marine last time out and enter this weekend tied for fourth in the Landmark Conference standings.

CUA swept Juniata and Susquehanna at home last month, but enters this weekend one game behind the Eagles and tied with the Crusaders in the league standings.

CUA enters this weekend leading the Landmark Conference in a number of statistical categories, including scoring (77.7), scoring margin (+9.4), free throw percentage (75.8), rebounding margin (+8.4), and assist/turnover ratio (1.09).

In his last three games, junior Nate Koenig is averaging 15.7 points on 55% shooting.  Koenig netted a team-high 18 points on 6 of 11 shooting last weekend vs. Merchant Marine Academy.

CUA has won five of seven road games this season, including its last two. The Cardinals, who close out the regular season with three straight road contests, average 70.3 points on 43% shooting away from home, while holding opponents to 66.6 points on 42% shooting.  CUA has also made 33 more free throws than its opponent on the road (110-77).

The Cardinals enter the weekend ranked 11th in the nation in free throw percentage, knocking down 75.8%.  CUA has shot 76% or better in five straight games, including a 27 of 28 showing vs. Moravian on January 28.

CUA currently ranks 11th in America and first in the Landmark Conference in rebound margin (+8.4).  The Cardinals have outrebounded 18 of their 22 opponents, with a high of +35 in the opener vs. Penn State-Harrisburg.

Sitting in a second place tie in the Landmark Conference, Juniata enters this weekend having won three of its past five games, including a 65-50 victory at Moravian last time out.  The Eagles are an impressive 8-1 at home this season, with the lone setback coming in a double overtime setback vs. Moravian on January 20.

Four Juniata players are averaging in double figures, and six are averaging at least 7.2 points per game.  The Eagles have the second ranked scoring defense in the Landmark Conference (65.4) and they lead the league in assists, steals and turnover margin.  CUA has won two straight vs. Juniata.

Since falling to CUA on January 13, Susquehanna has gone through an up-and-down stretch to its season.  The Crusaders followed the loss to the Cardinals with four straight wins, but have since dropped three straight and enter this weekend tied with CUA in the conference standings.

Three Susquehanna players average double figures, led by Spenser Spencer, who ranks fourth in the Landmark Conference with 18.9 points per game.  CUA has won the last two meetings between the schools, but the Crusaders earned a hard-fought 83-81 win in overtime last season in Pennsylvania.

For more information on this weekend’s crucial conference showdowns, check out the CUA game notes.

Friday night’s clash between CUA and Juniata gets underway beginning at 7:30 p.m.  On Saturday, the Cardinals will face Susquehanna at 4.  There will be live video, audio and stats for both games.