Just seven games into the season, Pomona-Pitzer’s Men’s Basketball team has tallied a surprising three wins. A two point loss to Menlo College on Wednesday night brought them to a 3-4 record.

A .500 record usually isn’t much to brag about, but with this team its an impressive accomplishment. With the SCIAC conference schedule rapidly approaching, this team could sneak up on a lot of conference opponents.

On paper, this team shouldn’t be that good. There are no seniors on this year’s squad, and the only Junior is guard Justin Smith. Success this early in the season is even more impressive when you consider that last year’s team, led by two First-Team All-SCIAC players in Travis Bray and Jeremiah Martin, started the season with seven consecutive losses.

"We’ve been working hard and playing well," Freshman Jeff Quinn-Cane commented. "When you look at how badly last year’s team started and how well they finished, you have to think we’re doing alright." Quinn-Cane has been a starter for the Sagehens, and a force on the boards through the beginning of the season.

Freshman Alex Lloyd has been a big part of this team’s early success. He was injured in the beginning of the season, but he has played so well that on Wednesday night Coach Katsisficas plugged him into the starting lineup. Lloyd didn’t let his coach down, dropping fifteen points and grabbing five boards.

Smith has played well for the Sagehens, while at the same time providing leadership for the young team. "He’s been really consistent," Quinn-Cane said, "he always plays well." In a November 28 win over La Sierra, Smith led the Sagehens with 12 points. Sophomore Mark Erler also scored 12 in the 65-61 win. Andrew Grant managed a double-double in that game, scoring 11 and grabbing 11 rebounds.

The team has four more non-conference opponents before they take on Cal Tech January 9. The SCIAC is traditionally a competitive league, but considering the talent that this team possesses, how young they are, and how well they play together already, it’s a safe bet that they will battle for the SCIAC title soon.