Jones is eager to turn the corner as the Eagles (0-2) return for their home opener against Florida Atlantic (1-2) and believes his rebuilding group wants to do the same.

“It’s early in the season, these guys are young,” Jones said. “I don’t think it’s going to stay with them long.”

Utilizing its trademark deliberate and patient style, American didn’t trail for the first 28 minutes on Friday at Richmond, which was coming off a Sweet 16 appearance last spring. Two days later at Maryland Eastern Shore, the Eagles led by as many as 10 points early and erased an 11-point deficit late to force overtime. In both contests, they were undone by quick drives into the lane.

“We’ve got to do a better job from a defensive standpoint,” Jones said. “It’s not just the guy guarding the ball handler. We have to play better team defense and stop the penetration and get out to shooters.”

At the other end of the floor, senior guard Charles Hinkle has emerged as a primary offensive threat, averaging 22.5 points to help alleviate some of the pressure on Troy Brewer (18.0 ppg). Hinkle, who transferred from Vanderbilt, averaged 4.5 points last season and often fell victim to a numbers game that limited his minutes.

“Charles has been playing with confidence,” Jones said after Hinkle missed 14 of 19 shots at UMES. “We’ve got to make sure he’s not rushing, trying to do too much and taking his times, getting his shots in the normal flow of the game.”

The Owls, in their fourth year under former George Washington coach Mike Jarvis, are coming off their first 21-win season in Division I. On Monday in Seattle, they hit 15 3-pointers, including five from Mike Gantt (18.0 ppg), en route to their first win of the season, 84-77 over Georgia State.

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