LOCK HAVEN, Pa. – The Lock Haven University men's basketball team is set to open the 2014-15 season on Friday, November 14 at 7:30 p.m. vs. Shepherd.
 
Friday's game is the first of two at Shepherd's Clarion Hotel Conference Challenge. The Bald Eagles tip with the host-Rams on Friday at 7:30 p.m., before taking on Wheeling Jesuit on Saturday at 4 p.m.
 
Game Day Central – Shepherd Clarion Hotel Conference Challenge:
Friday, Nov. 14 vs. Shepherd 7:30 p.m. LIVE STATS | WATCH LIVE
Saturday, Nov. 15 vs. Wheeling Jesuit 4 p.m. LIVE STATS | WATCH LIVE
 
Bald Eagles looking to build of last year's success:
The Bald Eagles will look to build off last year's success that saw Lock Haven win 17 games and return to the PSAC Tournament for the first time since 2003. LHU finished the 2013-14 season 17-10 overall, marking the most wins since Lock Haven won 26 in 1990. It marked the Bald Eagles first winning season since 1993 (14-12 overall record).
 
Lock Haven finished the first ever season of play in PSAC East action at 10-6, earning the No. 4 seed for the PSAC Tournament. Following the season, LHU head coach Mike Nestor was named of PSAC East Coach of the Year and Wali Hepburn was named the PSAC East Player of the Year.
 
Picked third in PSAC Preseason Poll:
With last season's success came respect and this year the Bald Eagles were picked third in the PSAC East Preseason Coaches' Poll. Highlighting the conference's preseason announcements - was senior Wali Hepburn's Preseason All-Conference selection.
 
East Stroudsburg received eight of nine first-place votes and sits atop the PSAC East Preseason Coaches' Poll. West Chester grabbed the final first-place vote and sits one spot ahead of Lock Haven. Gannon was picked as the favorite in the Western Division.
 
Click Here for Video of the Media Press Conference

Senior Wali Hepburn leads the way:
 
Honors:
2014-15 Preseason Division II Super 16 Selection
2014-15 Preseason All-PSAC Selection
2013-14 PSAC East Player of the Year
2013-14 Division Bulletin All-America Fourth Team
2013-14 NABC First Team All-District (Atlantic)
2013-14 Daktronics All-Region (Atlantic) First Team
 
Last season, Hepburn's 21.9 points per game marked the best scoring average in the entire PSAC and ranked him 12th in all of NCAA Division II men's basketball. Hepburn also averaged 5.7 rebounds a game and 4.3 assists per game during the season. His 4.3 assists per game ranked as second-best in the PSAC and he was sixth in minutes played per game at 34.4. Hepburn topped 30 points in a game three times, including 35 in a road-win at Seton Hill in early January. He also had 10 rebounds in the game. In 27 starts, Hepburn scored in double digits in all, but one game last season. In the upset of then-ranked No. 3 East Stroudsburg in early February, Hepburn became the 16th LHU men's basketball player to surpass the 1,000 point plateau. In all, he scored 592 points last season, giving him 1,125 for this career.
 
Four starters return:
Joining Wali Hepburn, is three other returning starters, including sophomore Bootsie Walker (G), redshirt-junior Al Blount (G) and grad student Nate Walters (F). Walker averaged 10.7 points per game and 5.7 rebounds last season as a rookie. Walters started all 27 games, while averaging 7.1 points and 4.6 boards per game. Blount saw huge minutes and will be an important and versatile player for LHU again this season.
 
Deep bench:
Nestor's 2014-15 squad will feature one of the deepest benches in recent memory and benefits from experience a year ago.
 
2013-14 stats:
Theo West (16 GP, 5.3 points/game, 3.9 rebounds/game)
Julian Bond (27 GP, 5.3 points/game)
Brahieme Jackson (23 GP)
Dave Garcia (25 GP, 3.5 points/game)
Elijah Cooper (27 GP)
 
Redshirt-freshman Ra'eese Hunt should play a key role this season as well.
 
Up next:
The Bald Eagles open PSAC East play on Wednesday, November 19 at home vs. No. 4 East Stroudsburg (7:30 p.m.)