QUINCY, Mass. – Four Pilgrims record in the double digits, but the New England College Men's Basketball fell in a hard-fought battle with the Lions of Eastern Nazarene College, 93-80, Thursday evening.

THE BASICS

Score: Eastern Nazarene College 93, New England College 80

Records: Pilgrims (6-10, 0-0 NECC) | Lions (8-8, 0-0 NECC)

HOW IT HAPPENED

The Pilgrims found themselves in an early battle with the Lions, as the two teams exchanged baskets in the first minutes. A jump shot by Calvin Cheek at the 13:42 mark put NEC up one (11-10), 30 seconds later another two-point score by Cheek tied the game 13-13. ENC was able to jump out to a small lead at roughly the halfway mark due to a 9-0 run after the tied score. Though, a steal by Alex Williams which led to a layup by Jamal Allen put NEC within seven at the 6:39 mark. The two conference foes continued to trade baskets and defensive stops, as the Lions eventually took a nine-point lead over the Pilgrims (42-33) into halftime.

Back-to-back layups from Errol Crawford brought NEC within 12 (49-37) to start the second half. The Lions continued to apply their offensive pressure as Nick Manso knocked down three three-point shots in two minutes to extend the ENC advantage to 22 (63-41) with 12:28 left to play. A minute later Crawford put down an enthusiastic dunk and completed the and-one (68-47) to energize the 'Grims. In the last seven minutes of regulation, NEC went 8-8 from the charity stripe but were unable to overcome the ENC lead as they fell 93-80.

INSIDE THE NUMBERS

• Jamal Allen paced the Pilgrims with 23 points, Calvin Cheek (22 points, nine rebounds), Errol Crawford (15 points and eight rebounds), and Alex Williams (10 points and nine rebounds) posted near double-doubles.
• NEC scored 24 points off of the Lions 19 turnovers
• The 'Grims grabbed 45 rebounds as a team
• ENC leads the all-time series 25-15 

UP NEXT

• NEC vs Lesley, Saturday, January 29, 2:00 pm
• Eastern Nazarene at Mitchell, Saturday, January 29, 3:30 pm