Box Score The Mount St. Joseph Lions men's basketball program is off to the best start in school history. Jumping out to a 5-0 record, while playing some very stiff competition. The hot start has landed the Lions in the d3hoops.com top 25 poll for the first time in program history.
Mount St. Joseph announced themselves to the nation as a top tier team in their second game of the season. The Lions faced off with #11 John Carroll as a part of the MSJ Tip-off classic. They were able to defeat the Blue Streaks by a score of 101-82. They followed that win up with another good win at home over Capital University sunday. They were able to defeat the previously unbeaten Crusaders 87-76 in the Harrington Center.
The recognition this team is recieving is partially a product of all of the hard work of the previous five teams. Since head coach Toby Carrigan came to the Mount six years ago it has been a steady climb to this point.
In his first season the Lions struggled to a seven win season. The following year they were incrementally better getting to nine wins, but they were able to make the HCAC tournament that season. In the 2013-14 campaign the Lions took a leap forward almost doubling their win total from the season before with 17. Following 13-14 they went on a run of back to back regular season HCAC championships. Setting the school record for wins in 14-15 with 19, and following that with the programs first every trip to the NCAA tournament in 15-16.
Players have changed but the man at the top Toby Carrigan has remained. He is now the two-time defending HCAC coach of the year, and looks to possibly have his best team thus far at the Mount.
This early season success was not guaranteed as the Lions had to replace three seniors who left the Mount as the most decorated class in school history. Though they did return a very solid cast of characters from the NCAA tournament team.
Juniors Andrew Finley and Erik Edwards were honorable mention all-HCAC a season ago, Tyler Manaugh and Jordan Henry were also key contributors to last seasons team. They have welcomed in newcomers Adam Goetz and Frankie Hofmeyer who have been able to contribute immediately. They also welcome back the center tandem of Holden Hertzel and Bob Murdock who add some much needed size the Lions did not posses a season ago.
When asked about the recognition his team is receiving coach Carrigan said,"Getting into the top 25 is nice recognition for what our guys have done to this point." Adding " We already have a target on our back being picked to win our league in the preseason, this will make that target even bigger."
The Lions open up HCAC play on wednesday as they travel to play an Anderson squad who returns all five starters from a season ago. Then they will play host to Rose-Hulman in a rematch of last season's HCAC title game. Tip-off is scheduled for 4:00 PM saturday inside the Harrington Center.
Come early! Be loud! and Go LIONS!!!!!!
