A layup is considered a high percentage shot.
The three is not - unless the player shooting it is Jacob Owens.
Owens' trey is his layup.
Never was that more evident than when the Marietta College junior drained seven of them in the Pioneers' 99-78 win over Heidelberg University at Ban Johnson Arena Saturday. That's "seven nothing but net baskets" in 23 minutes of playing time.
In MC's previous game, a 95-79 triumph over Grace Bible College in the consolation game of the Hope College Russ Devette Holiday Classic in Michigan, he made six.
So Saturday's performance at BJA was no fluke by any stretch of the imagination.
"I've been shooting threes since I was real young," Owens said. "So, it's like second nature now."
During first-half action against HU, Owens was five-of-five from behind the arch, and MC led 51-29. After making his first attempt in the second half to give the Pioneers a 62-39 advantage, he hurried and finally missed one at the 6:28 mark, showing that he is human after all.
Owens bounced back, though, and knocked down his seventh and final three as it turned out with 5:14 remaining in the contest. That made it 89-65 Marietta.
At the 4:04 mark, Owens took a seat on the bench.
From a distance, it almost looked like Owens' shooting right hand was still smoking red hot.
"I wanted to go 100 percent," Owens said. "But I missed one, so...it's fine."
Jon VanderWal could only smile and shake his head after the contest.
"J.O. actually missed one today?" the Pioneer coach said, jokingly. "I don't know what's wrong with him."
Needless to say, Owens will probably have Heidelberg's undivided attention when the Pioneers visit Tiffin on Feb. 11.
MC's pine incidentally contributed 48 points against The Berg.
After the 6-foot-6 Halter came in, he drove hard to the basket and took a tumble on the floor. A lot of the Pioneer faithful probably held their breath, but he got right up and back into the action.
Halter finished with 12 points - eight in the first half - and three rebounds in 14 minutes of playing time.
"Trevor looked great," VanderWal said. "He was really banged up and he went home for four days. We gave him a few days off, and he came back rejuvenated, a whole new man - and he had four great practices and a solid game today. And, hopefully, we're turning the corner."
Last season, the Crusaders swept the Pioneers twice on the hardwood.
"Cap's kind of had our number," VanderWal said. "They're not phenomenal but they're really good.
"Some teams are just tough matchups for you, and they seem to be kind of a tough matchup for us. So, we've got a lot of work to do the next three days."
On Saturday, Capital (7-6 overall, 3-2 OAC) hosted and defeated Baldwin-Wallace, 75-69.
Ron Johnston is the Marietta Times sports editor and can be reached at 376-5441 or at rjohnston@mariettatimes.com
