GAME NOTES: A couple of schools headed in different directions collide at the Ocean Center this evening, as the Georgia Southern Eagles tussle with the Stetson Hatters in the final round of the inaugural Glenn Wilkes Classic. The Eagles enter the tilt on a high note, as they posted a 59-57 triumph over UAB on Saturday. It was the second straight narrow win by GSU, which notched a 72-70 triumph over Cleveland State on Friday. The wins were certainly nice, but they were even more important for the team's confidence, as the Eagles were trounced in their season-opener by Florida State, 92-67. As for Stetson, it has dropped three games in a row following a season-opening win over Palm Beach Atlantic (56-54). Two of the three losses have come by double figures, including an 80-65 setback to Rhode Island on Saturday. The Hatters are the only team without a win in this four-game event. In terms of the all-time series, GSU leads Stetson by a count of 41-28, but the two teams haven't met since 1992.

The Eagles did it with defense on Saturday, as they forced 17 turnovers while holding UAB to a dismal 30.5 percent shooting effort from the floor in a two- point victory. GSU, offensively, did most of its damage at the foul line (15- of-20) and it did a decent job in hitting on 6-of-17 three point attempts. Dwayne Foreman headed the charge with 17 points and four assists, while Louis Graham notched a double-double with 16 points and 13 rebounds. On the season, Graham is the club's top scorer with 15.7 ppg and he is also pulling down 6.3 rpg. Willie Powers chips in with 11.7 ppg for GSU, which is averaging 66.0 ppg on the season.

Stetson shot a mere 33.3 percent from the field, including a poor 2-of-12 effort from long range, as it was defeated by Rhode Island on Saturday. On a positive note, the Hatters were effective at the foul line, where they converted 19-of-25 attempts. Garfield Blair guided the team in the setback with 17 points and six rebounds, while Sheldon Oliver turned in 10 points and nine boards. On the season, Blair is the only player on the team that is averaging double figures with 11.8 ppg, but he is shooting just 37.8 percent from the field. As a whole, Stetson has struggled on offense this season, averaging just 58.0 ppg off a dismal 32.5 percent shooting from the floor.

GSU has all the momentum on its side right now and it should be able to get past a Stetson club that hasn't been able to produce offensively.