The Muskingum University men's basketball team continues to chase history as they moved to 5-0 overall after knocking off Ohio Athletic Conference preseason favorite John Carroll to claim the programs best start since the 1972-73 season.
The Muskies, under the direction of second-year Head Coach Travis Schwab, opened the 2016-17 season with an 85-60 victory over non-conference opponent Kenyon. Muskingum continued its winning ways as it defeated Waynesburg (78-62) and Washington & Jefferson (86-77) on the road. The Muskies then returned to the Anne C. Steele Center, where they toppled Oberlin (87-73) and stunned OAC favorite John Carroll (99-95) to remain perfect.
Muskingum has used a balance attack this season with three of its five starters averaging in double digits. Sophomore Jarrell Marsh currently leads the team and conference in scoring averaging 18.4 ppg. The sophomore has played a huge role in the team success, scoring 22 points on three separate occasions, while averaging 28.8 mpg.
Freshman Marcus Dempsey is averaging 15.8 ppg, which includes hitting a big momentum shifting three in the final minutes against John Carroll. The freshman leads the team at the free throw line shooting 20-for-22 (.909).
Senior Rickey Wilson has found success from behind the arc shooting 11-for-23 (.478) on the year. The senior ranks third on the team in scoring (11.6 ppg) and is averaging 3.4 rpg.
On the defensive side of the ball, senior Joshua Keyes has been a force to be reckoned with as he leads the team and conference in rebounds averaging 12.2 rpg. The senior has pulled down 10-plus rebounds in four out of the last five contests, including registering two double-doubles (points/rebounds). He currently ranks sixth in scoring averaging 8.8 ppg, while shooting a team leading 67.9 % (19-for-28) from the field.
Sophomore Jalen Paige rounds out the starting five for the Muskies, averaging 9.0 ppg. The starting point guard has dished out a team-high 4.0 apg, which ranks him third in the OAC.
The Muskie bench has been nothing short of spectacular as they have outscored opponents in four of the first five contests.
Sophomore Devon Peart has led the way averaging 9.6 ppg and 13.8 mpg. In the contest against John Carroll, Peart came off the bench to record a career-high 19 points.
Junior Jacob Geller has been a deep-ball threat this season, ranking first on the team and third in the conference at .545 (6-for-11) from three-point land.
As a team, Muskingum is averaging 87.0 ppg, which ranks second in the league. The Muskies also lead the conference in free throw shooting percentage (.784), rank second in field goal shooting percentage (.483) and rank third in rebounds per game (41.0).
Muskingum will continue to chase history as it takes on Capital, Thursday, December 8. With a win, Muskingum will record its best start since the 1968-69 season when the Muskies started 8-0.