KINGS POINT, N.Y. – The Connecticut College men's basketball team dropped a 77-61 decision to the United States Merchant Marine Academy on Saturday afternoon at Liebertz Gymnasium. The Camels, who most recently played on Feb. 15th, 2020 in a regular season finale matchup at Amherst, became the first NESCAC men's basketball program to begin competing this winter.
USMMA (1-1) shot a blistering 60.9 percent from the field and held off a late surge by the visitors to carry a 40-35 advantage into the break.
Billy Whelan (Hamilton, Mass.), who was one of four freshmen in the starting lineup for the Camels, nailed a 3-pointer from the left arc to open the scoring before classmate
Jarron Flynn (Roslindale, Mass.) converted back-to-back layups to give their team an early 7-6 lead. However, the Mariners kept the visitors off the scoreboard for nearly four minutes by rattling off 11 unanswered and went up 24-11 on a pair of James Walsh free throws.
The young Camels battled back by primarily using the long ball and regained the lead, 35-34, when Flynn dished out his third assist of the game to senior
Justin Nwafor (East Hartford, Conn.). But despite embarking on a 24-10 run, the visitors lost their momentum when Jesse Neloms hit a trey to put the hosts back ahead for good. Jack Bucher turned a Blaine McDonough steal into a layup, and the Mariners led by a 40-35 score at recess.
McDonough came out firing for USMMA in the second half by scoring six of the team's eight straight points to help the Mariners take control with a 13-point cushion. The Camels sliced the deficit down to single digits seven times in the frame to remain competitive, but they could never get over the hump. After Whelan converted an unassisted layup to create a 65-57 score with just under five minutes remaining, Walsh found Neloms for a 3-pointer to keep the Mariners ahead by twin figures for the remainder of the contest and ultimately put the game out of reach.
"Today was a difficult result, but we are grateful to play and feel that we can take a lot away from this experience," said head coach
Tim Sweeney. "I am proud that this group stayed connected in spite of adversity in the second half. We have to bounce back quickly."
USMMA was paced by McDonough and Bryce Bristow, who combined for 38 points by shooting 17-of-22 from the floor. Bristow fell just shy of a double-double with 18 points and nine boards, while McDonough scored a game-high 20 points and had seven rebounds. Jack Bucher filled the box score with nine points, seven rebounds, five assists, three steals, and two blocks.
Three freshmen scored in twin figures to lead the way for Connecticut College (0-1). Flynn contributed 17 points by shooting 7-of-9 from the field, including 2-of-3 from long range, and converting a free throw. He also dished out five assists.
David Murray (Jackson Heights, N.Y.) had 11 points, while Whelan netted 14 by hitting four shots downtown and also finishing with four assists.
Connecticut College will have the opportunity to quickly avenge the setback to the Mariners when the teams meet in Liebertz Gymnasium again at 1 p.m. tomorrow afternoon.
