SPRINGFIELD — Jake Ross came into Springfield College’s game against Trinity on Wednesday night averaging 34.2 points per game.
The Bantams held the Northampton native and Williston Northampton graduate to four points on 1 of 8 shooting in the first half, but 15 second-half points from the senior guard led the Pride past Trinity, 67-62.
The win moved Springfield to 6-0 for the first time since the 1997-1998 season.
“We really bought into what we are doing,” Ross said. “We are engaged in practice and we’re hungry. We know we are undersized and know we have to be aggressive to execute our game plan. We’re not going to benefit from being wicked small and not executing. I think we play together well. We create for each other and play decent defense. It’s all coming together so far.”
Trinity owned the paint in the first half. With the Pride lacking in size in the front court, the Bantams drove into the lane and scored often. Trinity outscored Springfield in the paint 42-18 on the night. Outside shooting from Heath Post and Collin Lindsay kept the game close. The Bantams went into halftime with a 35-27 lead.
“Their shooting percentage was way too high with fairly easy shots in the first half,” Springfield coach Charlie Brock said.
Ross opened the second half with back-to-back baskets to close the gap to 37-31. Trinity scored a layup on the other end after Ross’ second score, but for the next seven minutes, the Pride went on a 10-0 run.
“We’ve had good halves and bad halves, and the first half wasn’t our best,” Ross said. “We came out in the second half and held them to eight points in the first 12 minutes. That’s a huge accomplishment for the team and our coaching staff.”
Two steals from Deonte Sandifer and a key 3-pointer from Ross with under two minutes to go pushed the Pride over the top.
In his fourth year as a starter, Ross is averaging the most points he ever has as a member of the team.
“I think I’ve gotten more comfortable in accepting that I’m going to have a tough time earning points,” Ross said. “I knew that coming into tonight. After missing a few shots I knew I needed to keep my head. Freshman year I probably would have crumbled, four years later it’s ‘Keep your head. We can still win this game.’ … Just because I don’t shoot the ball well doesn’t mean we can’t win, and that’s really important for the team.”
Through six games, Ross has attacked opposing defenses in multiple ways. When he gets a defensive rebound, he is able to initiate offense with his speed down court and passing vision. When he doesn’t have the ball, he maneuvers through screens and can unleash catch-and-shoot 3-pointers.
“I don’t think we’ve specified his role,” Brock said. “We aren’t running anything specifically to him. I think everyone has done a good job of finding each other and he has done a good job, as well as Heath, getting open and taking advantage of things. The more patient we are the better job we do with spreading the wealth. … Trinity did a great job face guarding Jake, but we were able to overcome it.”
The Pride went 11-15 last season, one year removed from a berth in the Division III national semifinals.
At 6-0 for the first time in over 20 years, the Pride are focused on taking on whatever challenge comes their way.
“Every game has been a little bit different,” Ross said. “Tonight was wicked physical. Trinity was really tough and strong. Every game has presented a different challenge and I think we have taken on each challenge pretty well.”
With his 19 points Wednesday night, Ross needs six points to surpass Springfield native Derek Yvon as the program’s all-time leading scorer with 2,101 points.
The Pride play at Williams Saturday at 5 p.m.
“It’s going to feel great,” Ross said on potentially achieving the milestone. “It’ll happen this season as long as I stay healthy. I’m not trying to think about it too much. I’ll cross that bridge when it comes.”