HAWKINS, TX---The USW Men's Basketball program faced off with Jarvis Christian on Saturday afternoon. The game was the 2nd matchup of the season for the two teams. Jarvis Christian defeated USW 72-41. 

"I thought our effort and fight was there today, we just couldn't put the ball in the net.  Shooting 29.5% from the field, 0% from the 3 point line and 41.7% from the free throw line will never get the job done.  We need our scorers to start putting the ball in the hoop.  We are getting good looks, just not knocking them down.  I thought for the most part our defense was solid until about the last 8 minutes of the game.  We have to keep working and things will turn the corner" said Head Coach Cory Hitchcock. 

Despite an 0-5 start to the season, Coach Cory Hitchcock still believes that this team has what it takes to be a winner. "We are still a little ways out from being where we need to be to win against top 25 teams.  With 13 of our 17 games against top 25 teams, it's going to take a little more attention to detail such as boxing out, taking care of the basketball and hitting shots to turn the corner.  Once we lock in and do that, we will put ourselves in position to win games. We need to focus on communication, spacing, intensity, and executing the game plan for us to be successful." said Hitchcock. 

In a year that lacked full team practices or pre-conference games for the Mustangs, this has been one of Coach Hitchcock's greatest challenge as a coach. The toughest part of the season, according to Hitchcock, has been trying to get the returners and newcomers to gel. But he is happy with the newcomers and what they are bringing to the table, and it will only be a matter of time before the team finds continuity and rhythm on the floor. "The new guys that have come in and showed some great strides are Elijah Neumann, Charles Burnell, Colton McGinnis, Tae Brown and Chamar Norman.  They have done some great things so far along with our returners. Once they get in a groove and starting gelling, I think things will start to fall in place.  Not having any non-conference games in the fall has kind of put us behind the eight ball because we are trying to learn how to work together during our conference schedule which is not normal. No excuses, we have to find a way to get it done." 

The Mustangs are back in action Monday evening as they take on LSU-Alexandria.