HENNIKER, N.H. – The New England College men's basketball team lost 69-62 to visiting Wentworth Institute of Technology on Thursday evening at the Bridges Gymnasium in Henniker, New Hampshire in non-conference action.

THE BASICS
Score:                    Wentworth 69, New England College 62
Records:               Pilgrims 3-8 | Leopards 5-3

TURNING POINTS

• Down by nine with 3:34 remaining in the second half, NEC sophomore guard Junior Efosa (Haverhill, Mass.) took over the game, scoring six points in just over a minute to get the 'Grims back in it, burying two free throws and taking to the air to dunk in a lob from teammate graduate guard Jayden McGrew (Garland, Tex.). Just 26 seconds later, McGrew would find Efosa again on a fastbreak, pulling the Pilgrims to within three with 2:23 to go. But Wentworth sophomore guard Nathan Brinkman (Trumbull, Conn.) buried a dagger three-pointer as the Leopards pulled away down the stretch.

INSIDE THE NUMBERS

• Efosa led the 'Grims with 20 points and 11 rebounds, continuing his outstanding play of late.
• Wentworth junior guard Jack Connell (Walpole, Mass.) led all scorers with 27 points, burying five three-pointers and pulling down six rebounds.
• NEC junior guard Alex Williams (Miramar, Fla.) finished with a double-double, scoring 14 points and pulling down ten boards.
• Wentworth junior forward Tyler Stewart (East Taunton, Mass.) posted nine points and nine rebounds.
• McGrew posted a near-triple-double with eight points, a career-high eleven assists and nine rebounds.
• Three-pointers proved decisive over the course of the game, with the Leopards holding an eight-to-two edge in triples made.

UP NEXT

• Up next for NEC, the team travels to Curry College on Saturday, December 30^th for a 1:00 p.m. game.
• Wentworth plays next at the University of Saint Joseph Holiday Tournament on Friday, December 29^th.

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