Amherst took a one-point lead at halftime and the game remained tight for the first five minutes of the second half until the Jeffs went on a 14-4 run to take a commanding 10-point lead with just 10 minutes left to play. The Cougars were able to reduce their deficit to four with just six minutes remaining, but Amherst dominated play from there in order to secure the 15 point win. Andrew Schiel '05, Ray Corrigan '05 and John Casnocha '06 led the Jeffs in scoring with 17 points each.
Without the benefit of any scrimmages, the men's basketball team truly did see their first action of the year on Nov. 21 in the first round of the Ken Wright '52 Invitational against Gordon College in LeFrak Gymnasium. The Jeffs' rust showed early as Amherst spotted its guests a 10-2 advantage to start the game, but the Jeffs quickly settled down and outscored the Fighting Scots 50-20 in the final 17 minutes of the first half. The Jeffs poured on another 52 points in the second half of play to complete the 104-72 rout.
Six Amherst players finished the game with double figures in the scoring column, led by Schiel's 15. Senior tri-captain Tim Jones and John Bedford '06 followed with 11 points apiece. In his collegiate debut, rookie guard Tim McLaughlin paced the Jeffs on the boards, bringing down one offensive and four defensive rebounds.
Amherst captured the Ken Wright '52 Invitational the following day with a convincing 98-53 victory over Framingham State College. Once again, the Jeffs broke things wide open with a strong run to close out the first half of the game. Amherst outscored Framingham State 20-3 in the final 10 minutes before intermission to take possession of a 42-17 lead. Senior tri-captains Adam Harper and Jones paced the Jeffs with 15 points apiece. Harper also led the defense with seven steals. His performance earned him the tournament's Most Valuable Player award for the second consecutive year. Schiel and Jones were the other Amherst selections on the All-Tournament team.
However, once again, multiple Jeffs made their mark in the box score. First-years Dan Wheeler, Dan Fisher and McLaughlin chipped in with 10, nine and eight points apiece. Corrigan had nine points on perfect 4-4 shooting and added three steals.
On Nov. 25, in its last game before Thanksgiving, Amherst hosted Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts. The Jeffs crushed their terribly overmatched guests, winning the game 104-52. Amherst built a 17-1 lead right from the opening tip-off and were off to the races from there. Sixteen players saw action for Amherst, 14 of whom made a mark on the scoring column. Schiel led the team with 16 points in just 11 minutes of playing time-he was a perfect 8-8 from the floor.
"Not having scrimmages and starting two weeks later than most other programs, our 3-0 start has been a positive indicator for us, but our next three or four games should really give us a better idea of where we stand," said Head Coach Dave Hixon '75 before yesterday's game against Clark.
This weekend, Amherst will take part in the Pioneer Valley Classic hosted by Springfield College. On Tuesday, Amherst hosts Worcester State College in the final game of the first semester.