The Justice

Joe Coppens '08 poses for the camera. David Sheppard-Brick/the Justice

For his entire career, men's basketball guard Joe Coppens '08 has donned the No. 5 jersey. But after Coppens' shirt was bloodstained during last Friday night's game against Emory University, he was forced to wear a loose-fitting No. 40 jersey for the final six minutes of play.

"I didn't really notice the number," Coppens said. "The only thing I noticed was the jersey was three sizes too big for me. I was kind of swimming in it a little bit."

Despite the wardrobe malfunction, Coppens' performance was unaffected: He hit the final two free-throws to put Emory away for good in the overtime period, preserving a 90-85 victory for Brandeis.

Last weekend he helped the Judges' to victories over Emory and Case Western Reserve?University. Coppens paced the team in scoring with 43 total points, including 34 in the second half of both games.

Coppens' highlight play came with 3:04 remaining in regulation against Emory. After two Terrell Hollins '10 foul shots tied the game at 68, Coppens intercepted Emory junior guard John Kresse's inbounds pass, reset and sank a wide-open three-point attempt to give the Judges a 71-68 lead.

"I don't know if [I have] a knack for [making clutch shots]; just having the opportunities in key situations to be able to take the shot and knock it sown," Coppens said.

Last Sunday against Case, Coppens scored 14 consecutive points for Brandeis in a four- minute span early in the second half.

Coppens, who leads Brandeis in scoring with 15.8 points per game, has been forced to adjust to being the team's top offensive option with the injury to forward Steve DeLuca '08.

"Picking up my scoring and outside shooting is good for the whole team," Coppens said. "It opens up a lot of things for other guys too, like Terrell [Hollins] and some of those inside guys, and it gives Kwame [Graves-Fulgham '08] and Andre [Roberson '10] more lanes to the basket."

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