Written for The Argo by Jacob Henderson

After a promising 2019-2020 season, the Ospreys looked to come into the 2020-21 season strong. But now with new Covid-19 guidelines, no one was sure how to gauge Stockton’s squad coming into the new year. 

Due to Covid-19 guidelines, Stockton’s schedule was aligned so that they were to play only on Friday’s & Saturday’s and the two games per week would be against the same school. 

The Ospreys opened up their season on February 5th with a double header against a talented TCNJ squad (The College of New Jersey). TCNJ was the team that eliminated Stockton from the NJAC tournament last season, so Stockton was looking to get their revenge at the start of the new campaign. Unfortunately, the Ospreys dropped both games to TCNJ 89-81 & 84-75. Despite the loss, there were positives to take from the opener against TCNJ. 

The following week the Ospreys were set to play 2 games against New Jersey City University Gothic Knights. Stockton secured the first win of the double header 85-73 behind Luciano Lubrano’s career high 23 points. The second game of the double header was a nail biter as it went down to the final seconds. Following a timeout by NJCU with 7 seconds remaining, the Gothic Knights Denzel Banks hit the game winner as time expired pushing them past the Osprey’s for a 67-65 victory. 

Next up for Stockton was Rutgers Camden. Going into the doubleheader, the Osprey’s held a record of 1-3 while Rutgers were still winless, sitting at 0-4. During this two game stretch Stockton played their basketball of the season yet, taking the first game of a two game set in dominant fashion winning 82-50. Following their 32 point victory, the Osprey’s came ready to play, once again taking down Rutgers 65-46. Luciano Lubrano led the team in scoring over the weekend totaling 29 points over the two game stretch. Rynell Lawrence was the facilitator and the glass cleaner of the weekend totaling 7 assists and 13 rebounds. 

As the Osprey’s prep themselves for the NJAC tournament, they were scheduled to play their final two games of the season against Rutgers Newark. Unfortunately due to a Covid outbreak within the Rutgers team, these games have been cancelled. Currently there is no word on if these games will be rescheduled. 

The NJAC tournament is set to begin on March 5th, which Stockton will be participating in. The Osprey’s are averaging 75 points per game this season on 45% shooting and 36% from behind the arc. Holding their opponents to an average 68 points per game, the Ospreys take pride in their stout defense. 

Updates on scheduling for the Osprey’s upcoming games can be found on the Stockton Athletics website.