Indianapolis, IN – The Sage Colleges' men's basketball team ranks among the NCAA Division III statistical leaders with the release of the latest NCAA statistics through games of January 26. Sage is currently 10-7 overall and 6-4 in the Skyline Conference.
Sage has now scored 100 or more points this season three times and own a combined 86.8 ppg average, which is first among the Skyline Conference. The Gators also lead the league in field goal percentage (45.7%), three-point FG defense (27.0%), offensive rebounds (17.0) and steals (9.12). Nationally, Sage is ranked No. 13 in scoring offense, while also ranking No. 5 in total rebounds (775) and No. 6 in three-point FG Defense (27.0%). Additionally, Sage ranks fourth in Division III with their 526 free throws attempted, while ranking No. 16 in free throws made (334). The Gators are also ranked 43rd in steals with 155 this season.
Sage graduate student and point guard Jeff Stopera (Scotia, NY/Scotia Glenville) continues his strong play at point guard. He has a 10.6 ppg average, while adding a 2.3 rpg average. He leads the Gators with his 114 assists and 42 steals. He ranks No. 1 in the league with his 6.71 assists per game average, while ranking first with his 2.47 steals per game. He is also No. 1 in assist to turnover ratio with a 2.59 rating. He continues to add to Sage's career record book as he has now played in 102 games with 515 assists, 220 steals, and is No. 3 all-time at Sage in scoring with 769 career points.
With the release of the national statistics, Stopera is in the Top 30 in five different categories. He ranks No. 6 in assists (114), No. 7 in assists per game, No. 19 in steals (42), No. 24 in steals per game and No. 29 in assist to turnover ratio.
Junior center Jacob Sopchak (Rhinebeck, NY/Rhinebeck) has a 6.5 ppg average with a 3.6 rpg average in 17 games played. He leads the Gators with his 26 blocked shots this year, while continuing to climb in the career blocks record book as he has 52. He is No. 5 in the league with his 1.53 bpg average and ranks No. 100 in Division 3 in the category.
Senior Mason Horne (Albany, NY/LaSalle Institute) has penned his name to the program's all-time scoring mark after he broke the record set by Matt Farbotko last season (1,244 points). Horne now has 1,246 points on his career, including 271 this season, good enough for a 15.9 ppg average. He is No. 8 in the Skyline in scoring and has now played in 92 career games at Sage and owns a 13.5 ppg average during his career. Horne is ranked nationally (203rd) with his rebounds per game average, while junior Kai Deans (Miami, FL/Monsignor Pace) sports a 13.1 ppg average with a 6.6 rpg average in 17 games played with 14 starts. He has 15 blocks and now ranks 245th with his impressive 48.1% FG percentage.
Senior guard Ryan LaBelle (East Berne, NY/Berne-Knox-Westerlo) checks in with an 11.2 ppg average and has handed out 24 assists with 23 steals in 17 starts. He leads the Sage lineup with his 41 made three-pointers and now has 67 career three-pointers with 344 career points in 73 games played. He is first in the league in 3-pt FG% (40.6), while standing No. 2 in three-pointers per game (2.41). He is ranked 120th in Division III with his 2.41 three-point baskets per game average.
The Gators will be back in action on January 29 at Mt. St. Mary College for a 7 p.m. Skyline Conference match-up.
