After nearly two weeks without a game, the Angelo State men's basketball team will begin Lone Star Conference play this weekend as the Rams take on St. Edward's on Friday, followed by a matchup against St. Mary's on Sunday.

LAST TIME OUT:
The Rams last played on Dec. 18, defeating Arlington Baptist 85-75 for their final game against a non LSC opponent. Dante Moses led ASU with a double-double, collecting 20 points and 14 rebounds while Tyrell Carroll added 18 points.

ANGELO STATE RAMS (9-2) vs. ST. EDWARD'S (7-4)
Friday, Dec. 31, 3 p.m. CST – Austin, Texas – Athletics Center
Live Video: lonestarconferencenetwork.com/asu
Live Stats: angelostats.com
SERIES HISTORY: 
All-Time Series: ASU leads the all-time series 12-3.
Last Meeting: Dec. 11, 2021: SEU, 75-59 – Brownwood, Texas
The Rams have the advantage in the all-time series against the Hilltoppers while both teams have split the last two meetings. ASU defeated St. Edward's last year when the Hilltoppers held the 17th-ranking in their only meeting of the shortened season. The Hilltoppers won earlier this season in a non-conference game in Brownwood while the Rams were ranked 18th at the time.

SCOUTING ST. EDWARD'S:
The Hilltoppers hold a 7-4 overall record as they are set to begin LSC play against the Rams. Since their win over ASU, the Hilltoppers have played two more contests, defeating Texas A&M International in double overtime while falling to Texas A&M – Kingsville 88-82 at home.

St. Edward's is the fourth highest-scoring offense in the Lone Star, averaging 81.1 points per game while defensively the Hilltoppers are allowing the 10th most points at 70.8 points per game. Daniel Venzant leads SEU in scoring with 19.2 points per game which ranks second overall in the LSC. The Hilltoppers also have the top rebounder in the conference in Logan Cook who is averaging 9.3 boards per game.

ANGELO STATE RAMS (9-2) vs. ST. MARY'S (2-6)
Sunday, Jan. 2, 4 p.m. CST – San Antonio, Texas – Bill Greehey Arena
Live Video: lonestarconferencenetwork.com/asu
Live Stats: angelostats.com
SERIES HISTORY: 
All-Time Series: The Rattlers lead the all-time series 17-22
Last Meeting: Dec. 13, 2021: ASU, 81-71 – San Antonio, Texas
The Rattlers lead the all-time series but the Rams have dominated in recent years, winning 12 of the last 17 matchups. ASU picked up a non-conference win over St. Mary's earlier this season, winning 81-71 back on Dec. 13.

SCOUTING ST. MARY'S
StMU has struggled to begin the year, holding a 2-6 overall record while losing the last four straight games. The Rattlers upset No. 5 Colorado School of Mines to start the season while also picking up a win over Huston Tillotson. StMU has lost all four non-conference games against LSC opponents, most recently falling to Texas A&M Kingsville and Texas A&M International.

The Rattlers are averaging 74.5 points per game while giving up 75.8 which ranks as the third-most points allowed in the LSC. They rank fifth in the conference in steals with eight per game while collecting four blocks per game which is tied for the second most. Kobe Magee leads StMU in scoring with 14 points per game, followed by Caleb Jordan and CJ Washington with 11.3 and 10.3 points per game respectively.

QUICK HITS:
-The Rams are currently receiving votes in the NABC Top 25 Rankings.
-ASU is the third highest-scoring offense in the Lone Star, averaging 81.3 points per game.
-The Rams are forcing teams to the fifth-lowest field goal percentage, shooting .405.
-The Rams have gotten to the line more than anyone else in the conference, making 226 free throws so far this season.
-ASU is the second-best rebounding team in the conference, averaging 40.1 rebounds per game, collecting 441 on the season.
-The Rams lead the conference in steals, collecting 115 on the season while averaging a league-high 10.45 steals per game.
-Carroll ranks fourth in the LSC in assists per game with five and ranks first in steals with 2.8 per game.
-Lathaniel Bastian is second in the conference in blocks with 22 and fourth in rebounding average at 7.2.