Men’s basketball starts season strong

Melanie Parncutt

November 21, 2019

Sports

Stevenson men’s basketball wins third straight Buffalo Wild Wings Classic Tournament with their 84-65 win over Becker on Saturday evening at Owings Mills gymnasium.

The Stevenson men’s basketball team has won three consecutive games after losing their season opener against Scranton University on Nov. 9.

Junior guard Cam Harris makes a move past a Becker College defender in the Buffalo Wild Wings Classic Championship game on Nov. 16. (Photo by Sabina Moran)

The Mustangs took a loss to Scranton University in their first game, but rebounded on Nov. 15 with a 84-65 final against Becker College to win the BWW Classic championship. Junior Cam Harris had a career-best 21 points to lead the game in the Mustangs’ win against SUNY Maritime College, and was named to the all-tournament team.

During the final against Becker, the Mustangs placed three players in double figures. Freshman Norman Hughes led the game with 15 points, and senior Mark Terrell following with 9.

Head coach Gary Stewart said he is excited to watch this group play, because it is a combination of all the work they did in the off season and in recent years to get here.

Stewart added that the team has changed their style of play and implemented some alterations to their scheme, which he hopes will propel them further into the Middle Atlantic Conference (MAC) playoffs.

Sophomore guard Norman Hughes pulls up on the 3-point line against Becker College in the Buffalo Wild Wings Classic Championship game on Nov. 16. (Photo by Sabina Moran)

The Mustangs finished 14-13 last year, and dropped the first round of playoffs to Albright College after placing fourth in the MAC. Then they qualified for the Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC) tournament, but unfortunately fell to Rutgers University Newark in the first round. The Mustangs are currently 3-1 with their most recent game being over Salve Regina in Newport, R.I. on Nov. 19.

Junior Evan Joseph described the team as a “great group of guys from top to bottom.” Harris added that the team has a lot of talent and confidence that can take them further in the tournament this year.

Both Harris and Joseph are returners who saw significant time in the starting line-up in 2018-19, with Harris making 25 starts and Joseph 18. The Mustangs are also returning Terrell, who was the second leading scorer last year and a second-team all-MAC selection.

Stewart warned that just because there are returners doesn’t mean that they retained everything from last year, according to gomustangsports.com. “Fortunately,” he said, “we’ve got some 24-7-12 months-a-year kind of guys in terms of improving and getting stronger.” Stewart said they place emphasis on standards and expectations, and look to build their program every day.

The Mustangs will play John Jay College at Marywood University on Nov. 22, 2019, and will start conference play on Dec. 4 at Messiah College.

Donate to Stevenson Villager

Your donation will support the student journalists of Stevenson University. Your contribution will allow us to purchase equipment and cover our annual website hosting costs.