In its final game of 2005, the men's basketball team prepares to take on the Cougars of Clark University at Cousens Gymnasium at 2:00 p.m. Saturday afternoon.
The Jumbos hope they can continue the winning ways they have had against Clark in the past. The team hasn't lost to Clark since 2002, and last year's close call, a 64-63 victory, is still fresh in their minds.
The team heads into finals on a relatively positive note, although the end of the semester couldn't come sooner for the Jumbos, who are feeling the effects of a tough two-week stretch.
"We're at the end of six games in two weeks - this game will be a real gut-check," coach Bob Sheldon said.
The team fought hard last week to emerge with a three-game sweep of a homestand at Cousens, but followed it up with a tough two-game stretch against two of New England's top teams, Plymouth State and Keene State.
"Those could be the two best teams in New England," said sophomore Jake Weitzen.
The Jumbos had a five-game winning streak snapped Tuesday night, as they suffered a frustrating 103-77 loss at the hands of the Plymouth State Panthers. It was the Jumbos' first loss since Nov. 18, opening night against Wittenburg. Sheldon had nothing but praise for the Panthers, who remained undefeated with the tin, improving 6-0.
"It was a really good team that got hot," Sheldon said. "There was nothing we could do."
Instead of ending their road trip on a down note, however, the Jumbos managed a thrilling victory over Keene State last night.
With the score tied at 94 and 44 seconds left to play, senior tri-captain Brian Fitzgerald scored on a lay-up to put the Jumbos up for good. The Panthers loss was their first on the season, and raised the Jumbo record to 6-2.
Despite the difficult road trip, the team is confident it will continue its winning ways against Clark.
"In a way, [the loss] was a good thing," Weitzen said. "Obviously a win would have been best, but we kind of needed a wake-up call."
Clark is a team led by a pair of dominant seniors, guard Cory Szklarz and center Tim Dutille, each of whom averages 16 points a game.
While the loss to Plymouth was a set back, the Keene State victory has given the Jumbos momentum as they head back home where they are a perfect 3-0 this season.
"We love our gym," said Sheldon, of the friendly confines of Cousens.
The Jumbos should be ready to go and, just as importantly, healthy. Senior tri-captain Dan Martin and junior forward Brian Kumf, who have both battled injuries recently, have bounced back in a big way.
Both Martin and Kumf turned in strong performances at Plymouth State in a losing effort, as Martin scored 25 points and pulled down nine rebounds. Kumf turned in 11 points and eight boards of his own.
A win tomorrow and the Jumbos will head into winter break and the continuation of their season in 2006 against tough NESCAC competition. Conference play begins on Jan. 13, as Tufts visits Colby.
The battle for conference supremacy is up in the air. While the Lord Jeffs of Amherst are favored to take home a conference title, it remains unclear who will emerge as the other top teams in the conference.
"As of right now, I think Amherst is number one," Weitzen said. "But there are a lot of teams that could pull off an upset. It depends on who shows up each night."
But for now, the Jumbos are thinking about Clark, not NESCAC foes. Sheldon is confident that his squad is ready.
"We're going to bounce back," Sheldon said. "We've just got to play our game and we'll be okay."
- Sam Verrill contributed to this article
