The Washington University men’s basketball team continues their success as the Bears currently hold a 10-4 overall record while also posting a 2-1 University Athletic Association (UAA) conference record. After three conference games over winter break, the Bears find themselves in a three-way tie for second place with University of Chicago and New York University.
The Bears host two conference games this upcoming weekend, tipping off against NYU Friday night and then returning to action Sunday against Brandeis University at 11am.
After some time off to recoup and gear up for the rest of the season, the University began UAA conference play on Saturday, Jan. 7, with an impressive 74-68 overtime victory against the University of Chicago Maroons. Senior guard Scott Stone led the Bears with 22 points, eight rebounds, four assists, and four steals. Freshman standout Tyler Nading added 14 points, and sophomore Troy Ruths had 13 points and 11 rebounds in his return from surgery.
Conference action continued last weekend as Coach Mark Edwards’ squad hit the road to play UAA rivals Emory University Friday night and Case Western Reserve University Sunday afternoon. Despite their 22-point comeback during the second half against Emory, the Bears lost a tough 71-74 battle. Ruths led the Bears with a game-high 23 points, which marked his 18th consecutive game dating back to last season in which he scored in double figures. He also added a career-high 12 rebounds in the loss.
The Bears bounced back Sunday to defeat Case Western 86-69. The University had a season-high 25 assists and nine blocks in the win. Senior center and seven-footer Mike Grunst finished with a season-high six blocks for the Bears, and freshman point guard Sean Wallis added a career-high six assists. Stone had seven assists and scored 12 of his team-high 17 points in the second half, as he surpassed 800 points for his career.
A large factor to the Bears’ success this season has been due to senior captain Scott Stone. He has been an offensive catalyst for the team, averaging 23.8 points in the Bears’ last five games. The shooting guard truly made his mark Dec. 17 against Fontbonne University, scoring a career-high 46 points. Stone connected on 16-of-23 from the field, including a single-game, school-record 14 three-pointers in the Bears’ 104-69 win. He shot 67 percent (14-of-21) from three-point range and moved into third place on the Bears’ career treys list with 164. Edwards’ squad also broke a school-record 17 three-pointers against Fontbonne.
Stone’s record-breaking performances involve more than just scoring. On January 4th, Stone’s four assists in the Bears 84-59 win at Maryville University moved him to fifth place on the all-time assists list with 300 in his career. He is currently averaging 16.2 points, three assists, and 3.6 rebounds per game, firmly displaying his all around game.
Coach Edwards is very pleased with Stone’s play this year.
“Scott Stone has really stepped up his game from last year and his whole game is really coming together his senior year,” said Edwards.
Scott Stone and the Bears return to action this Friday night, Jan. 20, against New York University. Tip-off is set for 8 p.m. at the Washington University Field House. The game is a Red Alert Event.