Jackie Logan/The Veritas News
Jaylen Owens (3) scores on a layup against New England College on Saturday, Nov. 23, 2013.
Through four non-conference games, the men’s basketball team is 4-0 after winning three straight home games last week at the Lahue Physical Education Center.
The Lions began their season on the road against Wheelock on Nov. 16.
Sophomore guard Jaylen Owens (Cleveland, Ohio) kicked off the season with a double-double. Owens had 20 points and 10 rebounds, as well as 5 assists and 4 steals, in the Lions’ 67-55 victory.
Men’s basketball then hosted three games last week, on Nov. 19, 22, and 23.
The Lynch brothers, sophomore forward Eric Lynch and freshman guard Christian Lynch (Alpharetta, Ga.), accounted for 33 points in the Lions’ second win, against Suffolk on Nov. 19. Junior guard Lequan Gomes (Fairfield, Calif.) added 14 points and 6 rebounds on 7-for-11 shooting.
Following the game, Jeremy Wagner (Oklahoma City, Okla.) said it was just the beginning of something bigger.
“This game is the first step on our journey to the CCC Championship,” he said.
The Lions then hosted the ENC Holiday Classic on Nov. 22 and 23.
On Nov. 22, ENC defeated Johnson State, 72-57. Owens achieved his second 20-point game of the season with 21 points, 4 assists, and 3 steals. Sophomore forward Alex Jarman (Portsmouth, R.I) added 10 rebounds and 3 blocks for the Lions.
The next day, the Lions beat New England College, 98-74, as Owens picked up his third 20-point game of the season. Owens scored 23 points to go along with 7 assists, 4 rebounds, and 4 steals. Sophomore guard Jeremy Wagner hit two three-pointers and scored 14 points, along with 3 assists, 2 rebounds, and 2 steals.
Despite losing four seniors last season and only having a total of four players that are juniors or older this season, the men’s basketball team remains undefeated.
“We have just been playing well together, staying within ourselves, and having fun,” Owens said. “Everybody is stepping up.”
The men were selected to finish in sixth place in the Commonwealth Coast Conference preseason poll after falling just short of the conference finals last season.
“I think as a team we like the challenge of proving people wrong,” Owens said. “It takes pressure off of us to be picked low, but we are ready for the challenge of proving everybody wrong.”
At 4-0, the Lions headed to Regis College at 7 p.m. last night, Nov. 26.
The first conference game is home at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 4 against the University of New England.
Reporting contributed by Jenny Ferron.