Jones Leads High-Flying Express Men to 128-66 Season-Opening Thumping of Washtenaw CC

Kenny Jones skies for a dunk in the second half of today's 128-66 season-opening win over Washtenaw. Photo by Nicholas Huenefeld/Owens Sports Information
Kenny Jones skies for a dunk in the second half of today's 128-66 season-opening win over Washtenaw. Photo by Nicholas Huenefeld/Owens Sports Information

By Nicholas Huenefeld/Owens Sports Information

Toledo, Ohio---Seven players scored in double-figures as the No. 8 Express men's basketball team rolled to a 128-66 win over Washtenaw Community College in their season opener.

The Express jumped out to a 63-27 lead at halftime on 28-for-49 (57.1 percent) shooting. John Murry (North Central/Indianapolis, Ind.) led the Express in scoring at the half with 10.

Kenny Jones (Clay/South Bend, Ind.) threw down several dunks in the second half en route to a team-high 18 points in the game. Murry finished with 17 points, seven rebounds and two assists.

The Express finished the game 55-for-95 (57.9 percent) from the field and 9-for-25 (36 percent) from 3-point range. 

Bikramjit Gill (Our Ascension of the Lord/Toronto, Ontario, Canada) was the only starter in double figures for the Express. He finished with 15 points, seven rebounds and two steals. 

Martez Asberry (Douglas Academy/Detroit, Mich.) added 14 points, four rebounds, four assists and three steals, while Antoine Benford (East English Village/Detroit, Mich.) had 12 points, five rebounds, one assist and one steal.

Shavon Gayle (Windsor Catholic Central/Windsor, Ontario, Canada) andShaakir Lindsey (Teaneck/Teaneck, N.J.) each added 10 points.

The seven players who scored in double figures for the Express shot a combined 41-for-64 (64.1 percent) from the field.

DeVondre Peoples (Consortium/Detroit, Mich.) also stuffed the stat sheet with six points, seven rebounds, one steal and a team-high three blocks.

Edmond Early Jr. (Thurgood Marshall/Dayton, Ohio) led the Express in assists with seven, while Markese Allen (Crockett/Detroit, Mich.) added five. Allen also tied for the team lead in steals (3) with Asberry.

Nobody played more than 20 minutes as the Express rolled to advantages in points in the paint (78-32), points off turnovers (49-4), second chance points (33-6) and bench points (93-28). The largest lead for the Express was 64 with 1:12 remaining.

The Express (1-0) will travel to Wayne County Community College on Nov. 4 for a 7:30 p.m. matchup.