NEW LONDON, Conn. – In its final non-conference tune-up of the season, the Connecticut College men's basketball team earned a 61-57 victory over Emerson College on Tuesday afternoon at Luce Field House.

Conn led by as many as seven in the second half but saw the margin disappear with 8:44 to go, and the rest of the game was played within a three-point window. A free throw by Cam Schainfeld (Newton, Mass.) put the Camels in front by two with 14 seconds remaining, and the Lions came up empty on their game-tying effort in the final seconds.

Edward Harrison (Charlottesville, Va.) led all scorers with a season-high 17 points on 7-for-12 shooting to pace the Camels. Schainfeld netted 12 of his 15 points in the second half—including a pair of late threes that helped swing the momentum—and added four rebounds and three assists. Dylan Watson (Mount Kisco, N.Y.) chipped in eight points and eight rebounds, five of which came on the offensive glass.

Harrison had the hot hand in the first half, hitting a trio of three-pointers en route to 13 points by the break. The Camels closed the half with a 7-2 spurt and led 30-23 at intermission.

Linus Helmhold scored all 11 of his points in the second half to keep Emerson in the game. The Lions trailed until a free throw by Giulio Volonte evened the score at 43-43, the first of six ties and four lead changes over the final 8:44.

Conn trailed 53-50 when Schainfeld drilled a three to tie things up with 2:52 to play. The next trip down the floor, he connected from deep again to put the Camels on top 56-55.

After Helmhold hit a jump hook from the baseline to put the Lions back in front, Garrett Clar (Victor, N.Y.) was fouled on a shot attempt in the lane. He converted both free throws to give Conn the lead with 1:24 left.

Emerson failed to score on its next three possessions, the last of which came with seven seconds remaining and the Camels leading 59-57. The Lions got the ball to Helmhold in the post, but his final attempt was short off the front rim. Watson, who secured the rebound and was fouled with 0.5 seconds to go, buried both freebies to seal the victory.

Jacob Armant led Emerson (6-5 overall) with 12 points. The Lions shot 46 percent from the floor and went 7-for-15 from beyond the arc.

Conn (8-6 overall) opens NESCAC play at home against Colby College on Friday, January 10 at 6:00 p.m.