PREVIEW: WARRIORS VS. COUGARS

PREVIEW: WARRIORS VS. COUGARS

Ottumwa, IA – The No. 12 nationally ranked Indian Hills Men's Basketball team returns to action for the first time in 2024 Saturday as the Warriors host Highland Community College (IL) at 7:00 PM at the Hellyer Center.

DETAILS: #12 Indian Hills vs. Highland

Ottumwa, IA  |  Hellyer Center

Saturday, January 6  |  7:00 PM

WATCH LIVE: GoHillsTV

LIVE STATS: Indian Hills vs. Highland

TICKETS: Buy Online

PROMOTIONS: Halftime recognition of the 2023 Indian Hills Softball World Series team

GAME SPONSOR: Community 1st Credit Union

Indian Hills is set for its final home game of its nine-game homestand dating back to November 21 as the Cougars of Highland venture to Ottumwa. The first matchup between the two programs came on November 24, 1990 at the State Fair Classic in Sedalia, MO.

STARTING FIVE

  • Through 14 games this year, the Warriors have played the most games against ranked opponents (9) and are tied for the most wins (6).
  • Sophomore Braden Sparks currently leads the ICCAC with a 46.9 percent three-point shooting clip on the year.
  • A win on Saturday would secure the Warriors' 38th consecutive regular season with a winning record at home.
  • The Warriors are 17-3 over the last 20 seasons in the first game after the new year.
  • Indian Hills currently ranks third in the nation with 3,709 total fans coming through the doors of the Hellyer Center during the team's 10 home games this year.

LAST TIME OUT

The Warriors closed out the 2023 portion of its schedule with a 76-63 win at the Hellyer Center over Cloud County Community College (KS). Freshman Kheni Briggs led the way with 18 points for the Warriors while TJ Morris added 15 points. Indian Hills outscored the Thunderbirds by 18 in the second half to run away with its fifth consecutive victory and improve to 9-1 on the year at home.

SERIES HISTORY

The Warriors enter Saturday's contest with a 6-1 all-time record vs. the Cougars, winning the last three matchups by an average score of 19.7 points per game. 

Indian Hills took both matchups during the 2022-23 season, winning 95-76 on February 18 and 80-70 at the Hellyer Center on January 21. 

SCOUTING THE COUGARS

The Cougars enter Saturday's matchup with an 8-5 overall record, dropping its most recent game against No. 16 Moberly Area Community College (MO) 86-84 on December 16.

  • The Cougars are currently 1-1 against teams from the ICCAC, defeating Marshalltown 69-65 on November 4 and falling to Southeastern 60-47 on December 2.
  • Highland is just 1-4 in true road games this year.
  • Demetrus Johnson II leads four Cougars in double-figures with a team-high 13.9 points on the year while shooting 36.4 percent from three-point range.
  • Highland will host Indian Hills in Freeport, IL on February 17.

WHAT'S NEXT

The Warriors hit the road to take on Sauk Valley Community College (IL) in Dixon, IL on Tuesday night for a 7:00 PM tip.

HOW TO WATCH

As always, GoHillsTV provides free live broadcasts of Indian Hills men's basketball games, both home and on the road. Fans can tune in a number of ways all season long:

  • Facebook: visit www.facebook.com/gohillstv
  • GoHillsTV App: Download the GoHillsTV app on your android or ios device
  • Website: https://www.gohillstv.com/browse to catch all live and archived information
  • Roku Streaming Device (new):  Have a Roku TV or streaming stick? Download the GoHillsTV app to start streaming today!

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