It is one of the toughest jobs in all of sports. When you are the first player off the bench -- as is often the case with sophomore men's basketball guard Jay Betts -- you are expected to add an instant jolt. The Wellington, Fla. native did just that last week as the Pipers improved to 8-4 overall and 5-2 in the MIAC with three wins. The latter mark is the school's best league start since the 1990-91 season and has them tied for second place, a game out of first.Â
Betts' contributions last week typified his season.Â
On Monday, he scored 16 points -- 10 in the first half -- as HU outscored St. Mary's, 89-86. On Wednesday, he again had 16 points with 10 of them coming in the second half. He also grabbed the rebound that led directly to Zach Smith's gamewinning shot in the pulsating 60-58 win over St. Olaf. On Saturday, he showed a different part of his game with a team high four steals in the 68-53 win over Concordia.Â
Jay stands second on the team with an average of 11.7 points per game. His 29 steals rank second in the MIAC -- a feat made all the more impressive by the fact that he averages just 22.3 minutes a game playing time.
Betts and the Pipers are off until Saturday when they resume conference play at Macalester. Game time is 3:00 p.m.
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