HENNIKER, N.H. – The New England College men's basketball team won 70-62 over visiting Anna Maria College on Saturday at the Bridges Gymnasium in Henniker, New Hampshire in Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) action, the first GNAC game the Pilgrims have played since joining the league this year.

THE BASICS
Score:                    Anna Maria 62, New England College 70
Records:               Pilgrims 2-5, 1-0 GNAC | AMCATS 4-5, 0-1 GNAC

TURNING POINTS

• Clinging to a three-point lead with 8:13 remaining in the game, the 'Grims used a 10-3 run capped off with a jumper from graduate guard Jayden McGrew (Garland, Tex.) to go ahead 55-45. The AMCATS used a 7-1 rally to pull to within three with 1:53 left after a layup from Anna Maria sophomore forward Jopaul McKrieth (Springfield, Mass.). But the NEC defense stiffened, forcing missed shots on the next three possessions by the visitors and collectively making six out of eight free throws in the final two minutes to hold off Anna Maria, picking up their first home win of the season and their first GNAC win in school history.

INSIDE THE NUMBERS

• NEC junior forward Alex Williams (Miramar, Fla.) led the 'Grims with 15 points and nine rebounds, one short of a double-double. The third-year standout also dished out a team-high three assists on the day.
• Anna Maria senior forward Gabe Armstead (Dallas, Ga.) led the AMCATS with 13 points and seven boards.
• NEC senior guard Kyle Inglis (Burlington, Mass.) added 13 points, including going six-of-eight from the line. He also tacked on a pair of steals.
• McKrieth cracked double-digits for Anna Maria, scoring 11 points on the day.
• NEC sophomore guard Junior Efosa (Haverhill, Mass.) finished with ten points and six rebounds for the Pilgrims.
• As they did in the last two minutes, the 'Grims won it at the line, making 23 free throws against only five by the AMCATS.

UP NEXT

• Up next for NEC, the team travels to MCLA on Tuesday for a 6:00 p.m. game.
• Anna Maria plays their next game on Wednesday when they travel to Westfield State for a 7:00 p.m.

For continuing coverage of New England College Athletics, visit athletics.nec.edu and follow the Pilgrims on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.