Stifling Defense lifts Muskies to Season-Opening victory

The Muskingum men's basketball team dominated Kenyon 75-53 behind a strong defensive effort to secure the season-opening win.

The Basics
• Records: Muskingum (1-0), Kenyon (0-2)
• Location: Anne C. Steele Center
• Attendance: 456

The Difference
• The Muskies made their presence felt early, stringing together a quick 10-0 run to open the contest.
• Muskingum's defense would not allow a Kenyon point until the 13:37 mark in the first half.
• Senior MJ Smith buried three 3-pointers in the game's opening nine minutes to pace Muskingum early on.
• Kenyon would cut the Muskie lead down to four midway through the opening half, but Muskingum would close the final 9:36 of the first half on a 26-7 run to carry a 23-point lead into the break.
• Muskingum shot a solid 14-of-31 (45.2%) from the field in the opening half while holding Kenyon to just 6-of-31 (19.4%) shooting.
• The Muskie defense also held Kenyon to just 1-of-16 (6.3%) shooting from behind the arc in the first half.
• The second half opened with Kenyon piecing together a 15-6 run to cut the Muskingum lead down to 12 with 15:04 left in the game.
• However, over the next five minutes, Muskingum would answer with a 13-3 run of their own to push the lead back to 22.
• The Muskies would never look back, cruising to their 75-53 victory.
• Muskingum would finish the game 25-of-60 (41.7%) from the field while holding Kenyon to just 15-of-60 (25%) shooting.
• Muskingum's perimeter defense would hold Kenyon to just two three-pointers made on the afternoon. The Lords shot 2-of-28 (7.1%) from deep.
• Muskingum edged out the rebounding battle, 45-42.
• The Muskies also forced 20 Kenyon turnovers, which translated to 21 points-off-turnovers.

Inside the Numbers
• The Muskies were led by senior Alex Masinelli with 20 points, five rebounds, and two assists. Masinelli shot 7-of-9 (77.8%) from the field and went 6-of-7 (85.7%) from the free-throw line.
• Senior MJ Smith also had a solid outing for Muskingum, registering 14 points and grabbing six rebounds. Smith tallied four three-pointers made on the afternoon.
• Sophomore Bradley Russell added nine points and seven rebounds for Muskingum, while Noah Begue also chipped in eight points.
• Junior Tanner Gensler dished out a team-high three assists for the Muskies as well.
• Leading Kenyon was Gefen Bar-Cohen with 12 points and four rebounds.

Up Next
• The Muskies will be back in action on Tuesday, November 16, when they travel to Ohio Wesleyan. The game time is slated for 7:00 p.m.