HENNIKER, N.H. – The New England College men's basketball team lost 72-70 against visiting Vermont State University Randolph (formerly Vermont Tech) on Thursday evening at the Bridges Gymnasium in Henniker, New Hampshire in non-conference action.
THE BASICS
Score: VSU Randolph 72, New England College 70
Records: Pilgrims 2-11 | Knights 7-8
TURNING POINTS
- After going into halftime with a 36-32 lead, the Pilgrims found themselves trailing by ten with 5:37 remaining in the game, 66-56. The 'Grims buckled down and dug deep to go on a 13-2 run, capped off with a resounding dunk by NEC sophomore center Aiden MacLeod (Wilmington, Mass.) on a lob from graduate guard Nick Gomeau (Enfield, Conn.) to give the hosts a 69-68 lead with 1:41 left. But VSU Randolph junior guard Will Jenkins (Charlotte, N.C.) gave the Knights the lead with a basket on the very next possession and the Pilgrims were unable to answer. With 2.5 seconds left and trailing 72-69, sophomore guard Shawn O'Keefe (Salem, Mass.) was fouled on a three-pointer, giving new life to the 'Grims. After making one-of-three free throws, NEC trailed by two with 0.5 seconds left and a chance to inbounds the ball. But the Pilgrims were unable to convert, losing in heart-breaking fashion.
INSIDE THE NUMBERS
- O'Keefe led the Pilgrims with 18 points in just 22 minutes, matching a career-high and going four-for-four from behind the arc.
- VSU Randolph senior guard Jaylon Calvin (Missouri City , Tex.) led all scorers with 19 points, six assists and five rebounds.
- NEC senior guard Alex Williams (Miramar, Fla.) dominated on the glass with a career-high 19 rebounds to go along 12 points.
- VSU Randolph junior guard Xzavier Ivey (Waxhaw, N.C.) finished with 17 points on the night.
- Gomeau added 12 points, five assists and four rebounds.
- Rebounding kept NEC in the game, as they held a 45-22 advantage on the boards. But the Knights outshot the 'Grims in the second half, 50 percent to 44.4 percent.
UP NEXT
- Up next for NEC, the team returns to Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) action on Saturday when they drive down the Nashua for a 12:00 p.m. game against the Raiders of Rivier.
- VSU Randolph heads to SUNY Clinton for their next game, that coming on Sunday at 3:00 p.m.
