By Nicholas Huenefeld/Owens Sports Information

Toledo, Ohio---Justin Baker (Cathedral/Indianapolis, Ind.) started in place of point guard Shaakir Lindsey (Teaneck/Teaneck, N.J.) and produced one of four double-doubles for the No. 8 Owens Community College men's basketball team in a 106-97 win over Muskegon Community College in the SHAC tonight.

The Express, which came into the game averaging 101 points per game, notched triple digits in the scoring column for the third time in five games this year.

Baker, who got extended playing time with the absences of Lindsey, Cameron White (Bowsher/Toledo, Ohio) and Edmond Early Jr. (Thurgood Marshall/Dayton, Ohio), produced 12 points, 11 assists, four rebounds and one steal.

The game itself saw the teams tied at 15-all with 12:05 remaining before Pete Firlik's (Catholic Central/Grand Rapids, Mich.) 3-pointer off an assist from Baker spurred a 15-2 run that gave the Express a 30-17 lead with 7:01 left in the half.

Muskegon cut its deficit down to six with three minutes left, but the Express went into the break with an eight point lead following a jumper from Kenny Jones (Clay/South Bend, Ind.) to close the half.

In the second half, Muskegon's strong start cut the Express lead to just one with 17:34 left, but Baker drained a 3-pointer on the other end to stem the surge. After Muskegon answered with a jumper by Will Roberson, the Express took control of the game by stretching the lead to as many as 19 down the stretch.

Aside from Baker, Darren Groves (Thurgood Marshall/Dayton, Ohio), John Murry (North Central/Indianapolis, Ind.) and Jones all produced double-doubles, while Murry nearly had a triple-double.

Jones had a game-high 29 points, along with 13 rebounds, two blocks and one steal. He also had a game-high six offensive boards. Murry, who finished 11-for-15 from the foul line, finished with 22 points, 11 rebounds, eight assists and three steals. Groves totaled 13 points, 12 rebounds, five assists, two steals and two blocks.

CJ Bussey (Central Catholic/Toledo, Ohio) nearly also finished in double figures with nine points, three rebounds and three steals.

As a team, the Express finished 37-for-74 (50 percent) from the field overall, 6-for-16 (37.5 percent) from 3-point range and 26-for-33 (78.8 percent) from the foul line. 

Deshawn Sanders led Muskegon with 26 points.

The Express, who played tonight's game with eight players, improved to 5-0 this year with the win, and they will be back in action on Tuesday at 7 p.m. against Delta College.

Notes

The Express are now averaging 102 points per game this year, while holding opponents to 82.4 points per game. They are shooting 52.2 percent from the field and 37.5 percent from 3-point range.