NEW LONDON, Conn.--Trinity College secured a 74-67 victory at Connecticut College in the NESCAC opener for both sides.

The Bantams improve their record to 6-7 and are 1-0 in conference play. The Camels slip to 5-7 and are 0-1 in league action. 

Shay Ajayi (Brooklyn, N.Y.) scored field goals on consecutive possessions late in the second half to spark the visitors on a 7-0 run, providing the hosts with a 69-64 lead they would not relinquish.

Ajayi finished with 14 points before he fouled out of the game and was a perfect 5-for-5 from the field.  Jaquann Starks (Hartford, Conn.) poured in a team-high 22 points, shooting 6-for-10 from the field, 4-for-6 from long distance and a perfect 6-for-6 at the foul line.  George Papadeas (Athens, Greece) was 6-for-8 from the field en route to his 13 points output.

 Connecticut College junior Matt Vadas (Spring Lake Heights, N.J.) fought his way through numerous double teams to finish with 23 points and seven rebounds. Vadas was a perfect 10-for-10 at the charity stripe. Freshmen Bo Mckinley (Westport, N.Y.) and Jared Shill (Woodcliff Lake, N.J.) both finished with 12 points.

"Our guys played hard and really battled, particularly on the glass but there were a few match ups we just couldn't handle down the stretch," Connecticut College Head Men's Basketball Coach Tom Satran said. "Give trinity credit for an excellent game plan and some good offensive playmaking when they needed it most." 

The Camels out-scored the Bantams 27-to-17 at the foul line, a positive trend that bodes well for the future.

Vadas scored 11 first half points to vault the hosts out to a 35-27 advantage. But Trinity used a hoop and some harm from Mickel Simpson (Woburn, Mass.) to take a 53-47 lead with 9:24 remaining. 

While the visitors did everything they could do to keep Vadas off balance, the junior sharp shooter dropped a pair of triples down the stretch to provide the home crowd some energy.

With 4:14 remaining, Vadas dialed three from the left side to put the Camels back on top, 64-62. 

But Ajayi answered on the ensuing possession with a hoop in the paint and one to put the Bantams back on top 65-64. Moments later, Ajayi converted with another hoop to make it a 67-64 contest and the visitors were able to pull away for the 71-64 triumph.

Trinity College will visit Wesleyan University for a 2:00 p.m. game Saturday. The Camels will host Amherst College for a 2:00 p.m. conference tilt in New London.