After starting just eight of his team's 26 games last season, men's basketball team guard Kenny Small '10 is making the most of his increased opportunities this year.Small, who has started all four games this season, scored a career-high 38 points in the team's loss to No. 8 University of Massachusetts at Dartmouth on Tuesday. It was the highest single-game total by a Brandeis player in head coach Brian Meehan's seven years as head coach of the team.

Small connected on three of the eight 3-pointers he attempted and made nine of 11 free throws, both of which led the team.

Coach Brian Meehan noted Small's impressive performance and hopes he can play at that level for the rest of the season.

"We're looking for Kenny to do that every game," Meehan said. "[We want him] to be a force regardless of who the opposition is. He did a great job that night, but we need him to do that night in and night out."

Small's career game against UMass-Dartmouth elevated him to the top of the team in several categories. He leads the team with 18.8 points per game, .381 3-point percentage, eight 3-pointers and 21 free throws made.

In the team's win against Vassar College on Sunday, Small had just 6 points, connecting on two of five shots. However, Small contributed in other ways with three assists and two steals.

With a record of 3-1, Small thinks the team is improving.

"I think we are getting better as a team," Small said. "Every game is a test for us to try new things. [We want] to get the chemistry going more."

However, Small feels that the team needs to make adjustments over the course of the long season.

"The biggest thing right now is coming out with the same energy," Small said. "[We have] to attack teams and get in the lanes. Coming out with the energy and focus to beat teams down the stretch.