NAUGATUCK — The combined record of the Greyhound’s first seven opponents stood at 37-19 through Tuesday. So, it would be hard to imagine they find themselves in good position at this point this season.
The Greyhounds limited the damage during that tough stretch, winning two of those games and putting themselves in position to make a surge in their final 13 games.
Naugatuck started that surge with an 80-68 win at Watertown last Friday. Jean Lukau Mbalandaka led the ‘Hounds (3-5, 3-4 NVL) with 20 points against Watertown (2-7). Corey Plasky netted 18, all on 3-pointers.
The Watertown game marked the second straight that Mbalandaka, a transfer from Bridgeport, led Naugy in scoring. He had a team-high 19 in a 69-46 loss to Crosby (7-2) on Jan. 11.
“[Mbalandaka] has really come along for us,” Naugatuck head coach Mike Wilson said. “He can be a really good basketball player.”
With the recent performances of Mbalandaka, Plasky, and Shane Swierbitowicz, the Greyhounds may have found the offensive playmakers they need to succeed. Wilson, however, said that he’s happy to see his squad play team basketball.
“I am just glad that we are playing unselfish basketball,” Wilson said. “It’s nice to see us all playing well together.”
Naugy will aim to stay hot throughout the rest of the season. Excluding Sacred Heart and Notre Dame-Fairfield, the record of the Greyhounds’ remaining opponents was 18-50 through Tuesday. The Greyhounds also have just four more road games left.
Wilson said there are plenty of winnable games remaining, but the team can’t get ahead of itself.
“There are winnable games coming up, but we have to keep the mindset of taking it one game at a time.”
Naugatuck will host Wolcott on Wednesday. The Greyhounds will head to Seymour on Friday before home games to start off next week against Notre Dame-Fairfield on Sunday and Torrington on Tuesday.
