HENNIKER, N.H. – The New England College men's basketball team ended in a heartbreaking loss in overtime against visiting Johnson & Wales University (R.I.) on Saturday afternoon at the Bridges Gymnasium in Henniker, New Hampshire in Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) action.  

THE BASICS 
Score: Johnson & Wales University (R.I.) 77, New England College 75 - OT 
Records: Wildcats 7-15, 4-8 GNAC | Pilgrims 4-19, 1-11 GNAC 

 
TURNING POINTS 

• Looking to make a statement early, NEC would open up with an 8-2 run led by sophomore guard Michael Hills (Baton Rouge, Lous.) where he contributed on seven of those points. 
• JWU was able to nudge themselves on par with the 'Grims as they traded buckets back and forth until the Wildcats were able to score eight straight with junior guard Josh Zangerle (Wappingers Falls, N.Y.) leading the charge for his team and finished the frist half with 13 points while going 3/7 from three giving JWU a 41-39 edge. 
• A couple of made shots from junior guard Alex Williams (Miramar, Fla.) helped NEC obtain the lead in the opening minutes of the second half. 
• The Wildcats had graduate guard Aireus Raspberry (Cranston, R.I.) convert on a handful of his 10 second half points with seven minutes to go in regulation as both teams were fighting neck and neck. 
• With 56 seconds remaining and down by one, Hills would get his first points since the first half as he put in a wild bank-shot jumper off an inbounds pass to give the 'Grims a one-point lead. 
• JWU was looking to regain the lead when sophomore forward Izaiah Shaw-Glen (Baldwin Harbor, N.Y.) went up for the layup but was held down and drew a foul against senior forward Treyjon Lewis (Stamford, Conn.) giving Shaw-Glen two free throws. The first of which was good while the second one hit the back rim which led to an NEC timeout. The 'Grims would look for one final shot as Williams took it to the rim but was denied twice and the game would go into overtime 68-68. 
• The Wildcats would open up overtime in stellar fashion as Raspberry would score six straight for his team. 
• Down by three with 22 seconds to go Lewis would bring the 'Grims within one after a nice motion play where he threw it down with two hands off a pass from graduate guard Jayden McGrew (Garland, Tex.). 
• JWU's Raspberry would miss two put-away free throws giving NEC another chance to lead but McGrew missed a midrange jumper of an iso play leading to two more Wildcat free throws as Shaw-Glen would split the pair giving JWU a 77-75 win in overtime. 

INSIDE THE NUMBERS 

• NEC was led by Williams with 17 points, 12 rebounds, and four assists as sophomore guard Junior Efosa (Haverhill, Mass.), Hills, and McGrew finished with 13, 11, and 11 points respectively. 
• JWU's Raspberry and Zangerle each met the 20-point plateau with 25 points, 10 rebounds, and six assists for Raspberry, and 21 points for Zangerle. 
• The 'Grims showed their depth advantage by leading 17-10 in bench points. 
• The Wildcats would get the better of the paint with a 42-36 edge. 
• NEC shot final splits of 43.9/26.3/52.2% whereas JWU's splits ended with 46.0/28.6/61.9% 

• Prior to the game, the New England College men's basketball program and the NEC athletics department recognized this year's senior class as part of senior day. The class of Lewis, McGrew, and student-assistant James O'Leary were honored by coaches, teammates, family members, and fans for all of their accomplishments at NEC both on and off the court. Although their time with the program may be coming to an end, they will forever be a part of the 'Grims family. 

UP NEXT 

• Up next for NEC, the team will hit the road to take on the Saints of Emmanuel College on Tuesday, February 13th at the Jean Yawkey Center with tipoff coming at 7:30 PM. 
• JWU heads back home to take on the Dean College Bulldogs on Tuesday, February 13th at 7:30 PM held at the Wildcat Center. 

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