Ryan Flynn – Sports Editor –
Two wins in the UB Men’s Basketball Classic have Owls Men’s Basketball opening the season with a 2-0 record for the first time since the 2010-2011 season.
The team won both games by double digits, defeating Goldey-Beacom College 94-77 on Saturday before coming back Sunday to win 71-57 against the University of Bridgeport.
As mentioned in last week’s team preview, the success or failure of this team all starts with senior forward Trevon Hamlet. Hamlet was sensational in game one, scoring 28 points, five rebounds while also chipping in a steal and a block. The team overall shot 51% from the field and put this one out of reach by halftime, going in with a 46-29 lead.
Point guard Tylon Smith took on the role of the facilitator this past weekend, averaging eight assists to just two turnovers in the two games.
These two, along with wingman Greg Langston, guard Luke Houston and forward Jose Cruz made up the starting five, as expected. This is a starting unit that played together for the final five games of last year, going 4-1 in that span.
Against Bridgeport in the second game, it was Langston who took up the scoring load with 26 points and seven boards. Another hot opening half saw the Owls take a 39-22 lead into the break, a lead which they again would hold onto.
Redshirt senior guard Rashamell Vereen, freshman guard Deshawn Murphy and freshman forward Stefon Williams received big minutes off the bench in both games to round out the rotation.
This Wednesday, the Owls will head to Adelphi on Wednesday for their conference opener before heading home the following Tuesday to host Assumption College.
