NEWPORT, R.I. – Despite getting a career-best performance from junior Daniel Draffan (Hamden, Conn.), the Connecticut College men's basketball team suffered a 97-86 defeat at Salve Regina on Tuesday evening.

The first half was tightly contested and featured four ties and five lead changes. The Seahawks began to pull away when Mikey Spencer converted three free throws to make it 19-14 at the 11:47 mark, but the Camels responded and knotted the score when junior Jack Zimmerman drilled a trey before setting up Draffan for a jumper. However, Stephen Natola converted a layup to put the hosts ahead for good.

Salve Regina, which led 44-39 at halftime, got five straight points from Spencer to build their lead up to twin figures early in the second half. He then made back-to-back shots from downtown to balloon the margin to 18 at 62-44, and the visitors would never fully recover.

Connecticut College slashed the deficit all the way down to four points with 6:56 remaining, but that was as close as they would come. Spencer got hot from the field again, pushing the deficit back up to double digits, and the Seahawks made five charity shots in the final minute to seal their eighth win of the season.

Spencer led Salve Regina (8-10), which shot 59.1 percent from the floor, by racking up 43 points. He shot 15-of-24 from the floor, including 9-of-15 from long range, and 4-of-5 at the line. Kevin Kelly finished with 20 points and eight assists to go along with four rebounds, while Cameron Collins also reached twin figures with 10 points.

Draffan netted a career-high 30 points by most notably shooting 12-of-15 from the field to pace Connecticut College in the setback. Freshman Ben McPherron (Weston, Mass.) contributed 17 points and four steals, and Zimmerman posted a double-double with 14 points and a career-best 10 helpers.

Connecticut College (3-14) will return to NESCAC action at home when it next hosts Williams on Friday evening at 7 p.m.