HENNIKER, N.H. – The New England College men's basketball team lost 97-89 in overtime to visiting Colby-Sawyer College on Thursday evening at the Bridges Gymnasium in Henniker, New Hampshire in Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) action.

THE BASICS
Score:                    Colby-Sawyer 97, New England College 89
Records:               Pilgrims 4-13, 1-5 GNAC | Chargers 7-9, 3-2 GNAC

TURNING POINTS

• Despite taking an early lead, NEC found themselves trailing after a 17-2 run by the Chargers, a stretch capped off by a layup from Colby-Sawyer junior guard Chaz Cullum (Omaha, Neb.). The teams entered halftime with the Chargers leading 34-25.
• In the second half, NEC would trail by as much as 16 before making their move. Down 13 with 12:26 to go in the game, the 'Grims took to the air, going on a 10-2 run to cut it down to five with lobs for electrifying dunks and layups to sophomore guards Junior Efosa (Haverhill, Mass.) and Michael Hills (Baton Rouge, Lous.), reinvigorating the fans in Bridges Gym.
• Later with 1:17 remaining and the game on the line, NEC graduate guard Jayden McGrew (Garland, Tex.) found senior guard Kyle Inglis (Burlington, Mass.) in the corner and the senior buried the three to pull NEC to within one at 75-74, the closest the Pilgrims had been since early in the first half. After a defensive stand by the 'Grims, McGrew took it in himself for the layup, and just like that NEC was back out in front. After four free throws by the Chargers saw the Pilgrims trailing by three with 4.6 seconds remaining, McGrew would come through as he had so many times before, burying the shot from downtown to tie it up at 79-79. A last-second three by Colby-Sawyer went off the rim, and the game headed into overtime.
• In the extra frame, however, the 'Grims couldn't get their offense going, turning the ball over on three of their first four possessions. NEC fell behind by nine before scoring their first field goal of overtime, that coming from McGrew with 2:08 remaining to cut it to 89-82. A three by NEC junior guard Alex Williams (Miramar, Fla.) cut it to six with 23 seconds left, but that was as close as the Pilgrims would come.

INSIDE THE NUMBERS

• McGrew shot 9-of-14 from the floor for NEC, finishing with 22 points – his highest total as a Pilgrim – to lead all scorers to go along with six assists, five rebounds and two steals.
• Callum would lead the Chargers with 18 points, seven rebounds, four assists and five steals.
• Hills posted a season-high 15 points for the Pilgrims, with five rebounds and two assists before fouling out.
• Colby-Sawyer junior forward Bullen Taban (Phoenix, Ariz.) posted a double-double with 15 points and ten boards.
• Efosa finished with 14 points in just 21 minutes, shooting 10-of-11 from the line.
• Colby-Sawyer junior guard Nick Grant (Houston, Texas) finished with 17 points and five rebounds.
• Williams finished with 12 points, seven rebounds, three steals and two assists.
• Inglis added 12 points with four rebounds, shooting 50 percent from the field.
• Points off turnovers proved to be a decisive stat, with the Chargers holding a 24-12 advantage.

UP NEXT

• Up next for NEC, the team travels to Saint Joseph's College of Maine on Wednesday for a 7:00 p.m. game.
• Colby-Sawyer faces their next contest on Saturday when they travel to Johnson & Wales for a 3:00 p.m. game against the host Wildcats.

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