Bucknell University Athletics
Bucknell Men's Basketball to Host East Stroudsburg in Exhibition Contest on Sunday Afternoon
11/1/2007 8:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Nov. 1, 2007
LEWISBURG, Pa. - In 1932 and 1933 Bucknell and East Stroudsburg played a home-and-home men's basketball series (the road team won each game), but since then the two Pennsylvania universities have not met on the hardwood. That will change on Sunday afternoon, when the Warriors visit Sojka Pavilion for an exhibition game against the Bison at 2 p.m.
Admission is free, however it is a ticketed event. The Sojka Pavilion ticket window opens at noon, and fans should stop by the window to receive their free ticket. Season-ticket holders are reminded that your reserved-seat ticket to the East Stroudsburg game is included in your season-ticket package.
For Bucknell, this will be a final live tuneup prior to the Nov. 10 season-opener against Albany. The Bison will begin the year with nine returning letterman available. Senior co-captain John Griffin, who averaged 10.5 points per game last season, is the top returning scorer. Fellow senior co-captain Rob Thomas, juniors Josh Linthicum, Jason Vegotsky and Justin Castleberry, sophomores Patrick Behan and Stephen Tyree, and freshmen G.W. Boon, Todd O'Brien and Darryl Shazier all figure to play significant minutes on Sunday.
While the Bison went 22-9 (13-1 Patriot League) in 2006-07, East Stroudsburg is also coming off a strong campaign. The Warriors went 18-10 overall and 6-6 in the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference. Channon Easley, a 6'8" senior forward, led the team in both scoring (12.8) and rebounding (8.3) last season and is one of two returning starters. Other top returners include senior forward Josh Wentz (9.9 ppg) and sophomore guard Andy Heimbach (6.6 ppg). ESU averaged a robust 77.6 points per game in 2006-07, which ended with a 63-59 loss to Millersville in the PSAC Tournament.
ESU opens its regular-season on Nov. 16 against Holy Family at the Bowie State (Md.) Tournament.
This will be the fourth straight year the Bison have hosted a PSAC school in a preseason contest. Last season, Bucknell topped Mansfield 86-43. In 2005 the Bison defeated Lock Haven 91-53, and in 2004 they turned back IUP 83-55.
On Saturday night, prior to the East Stroudsburg game, the team will appear at the annual Bison Mania pep rally, which will be held at 9 p.m. at Sojka Pavilion. The event is free and open to the public, with another fun and exciting agenda in the works. Bucknell's pep band, cheerleaders and dance teams will all perform at Bison Mania, and the men's and women's teams will be introduced. There will be a number of fan and student-interactive contests, including a chance to make a shot for $10,000, and prizes will be awarded to the most spirited groups.
Then on Tuesday, Nov. 6, the Bison will host their annual Tip-Off Reception at 7 p.m. at the Towne Tavern on Market Street in Lewisburg. The $5 admission fee includes food and beverages, as well as raffle tickets for basketball-related prizes. Head coach Pat Flannery will introduce this year's team, and coaches and players will offer their thoughts on the upcoming season.
