QUINCY, Mass. – Jamal Allen posted 23-points, including a perfect 4-4 from behind the arc, but the New England College men's basketball team fell in a tightly contested New England Collegiate Conference opener at Eastern Nazarene College, 80-77 Wednesday evening.

THE BASICS

Score: Eastern Nazarene College 80, New England College 77

Records: Pilgrims (7-11, 0-1 NECC) | Lions (9-9, 1-0 NECC)

HOW IT HAPPENED

The Pilgrims offensive started off with a quick three-point jumper from Michael Tavilla, 25-seconds into the first half. The team was able to put together a string of scores, including threes from Kareem Octavien and Jamal Allen to take an early 11-2 lead. The Lions battled back, as they were able to tie the game at 17-17 by a jump shot from Bernie McGuinness at the 12:18 mark. ENC jumped out to a 10-point lead until strong play from the 'Grims cut their lead to five (34-29) with 5:43 remaining. The Lions extended their lead back to double digits as NEC looked to bounce back in the second half, trailing 48-37 heading into halftime.

Three minutes into the second half, a steal by Cheek led to a three by Allen. Octavien followed up with a layup a minute later to put the Pilgrims back within five (51-46). ENC was able to build their advantage up to 11 (63-52) on a layup from Levi Grady-White, but the 'Grims never backed down, as they again brought themselves within single digits (63-56) on an Alex Williams jump shot at the 10:28 mark. Both teams showed strong offensive and defensive plays down the stretch, as NEC pulled within two (79-77) with seven seconds remaining. However, the Lions were able to hold on, as the Pilgrims fell 80-77.

INSIDE THE NUMBERS

• Jamal Allen paced the Pilgrims with 23 points including 4-4 from the three-point line
•  Kareem Octavien added 18 points and seven assists, while Calvin Cheek added six steals, five assists, and eight rebounds
• The 'Grims grabbed 13 steals and dished out 20 assists
• New England College added 21 points off of the Lions 18 turnovers
• Eastern Nazarene College leads the all-time series, 26-15 

UP NEXT

• NEC vs Mitchell, Saturday, February 5, 3:30 pm
• ENC  vs Lesley, Saturday, February 5, 7:00 pm