The Rocket

Issue date: 11/21/08 Section: Sports

Media Credit: Steve Reed Senior guard Denell Stephens slams the ball home against Ohio Univeristy-Eastern Campus in the Rock's 103-63 season-opening victory on Saturday. Stephens is tied with junior guard Michael Evans Jr. for the team lead in points with 43 through two games. [Click to enlarge]

Fifty-eight.

That's the amount of points SRU men's basketball team outscored their opponents by in their seven victories last season.

Fifty.

The number of points SRU (2-0) has outscored its opponents in its first two games of the 2008-2009 season. The Kevin Reynolds's era of SRU basketball is off and running, with its high-tempo offensive putting lots of points on the scoreboard.

Highlighting the quick turnaround is senior guard Denell Stephens. Stephens scored 25 points in the season opener against Ohio University Eastern Campus on Saturday, and 18 against Shepherd University (D.C.) on Wednesday.

Stephens has scored from everywhere on the court, but has already developed a reputation for dunking. Reynolds said Stephens is a tremendous all-around player.

"He is a high-energy guy," Reynolds said. "A non-position player, he is a great defensive player. He can finish around the rim, but also has the ability to step out and take jump shots."

Stephens said he tries to play at a high level every night because he understands this is his last season.

"I expect to put up huge numbers every night," Stephens said. "I am a senior this year and would like to go out with a bang. I love the game of basketball and want to play as hard as I can all season."

When the season tipped off last Saturday, the team came out running.

The Green and White were too much for OU and beat the Panthers by 40 points, 103-63.

Three Rock players, graduate student and guard Jamar Scales (20), Stephens (25) and junior shooting guard Michael Evans Jr. (23), all scored over 20 points.

Continued...

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