Teams: Men's Basketball: Schedule & Results

JUMBOS CAN'T SUSTAIN STRONG START IN NESCAC LOSS AT CONNECTICUT COLLEGE

COLLEGE MEN'S BASKETBALL FINAL SCORE
Connecticut College 86, Tufts 72

At New London, CT
Saturday, January 31, 2009

Game Statistics

NEW LONDON, Conn.-- Connecticut College (11-9, 1-5) battled back from a 14-point first-half deficit to defeat Tufts University (9-11, 1-5), 86-72, at Luce Fieldhouse Saturday afternoon. Freshman Demetrius Porter (Virginia Beach, VA) exploded with a game-high 29 points in the victory for the Camels.

Junior Shavar Bernier (Dover, NH) had 21 points in the triumph, shooting a perfect 11 for 11 at the charity stripe. Senior Billy Karis (Potsdam, NY) netted 17 points in his final home game for the Camels, converting six of seven shots from the field and three of four from beyond the arc. Sophomore Dean Lampe (Hamilton, MA) finished with 13 points for Connecticut College in a six for seven shooting performance for the hosts.

Tufts University junior co-captain Jon Pierce (Belmont, MA) dumped in 26 points and added five boards and was 12 for 16 (75%) from the field. Senior co-captain Aaron Gallant (Bangor, ME) chipped in with 18 points and five rebounds for the Jumbos. Junior Dave Beyel (Ocean City, NJ) finished with a dozen in the setback for the visitors.

The Jumbos scored the first 12 points of the game and built a 21-7 lead on a Tom Selby (Madison, WI) field goal at the 11:43 mark of the first half. The Camels countered with their own 14-0 run to pull even with the visitors. Karis converted a hoop with the harm to make it a two-point game and Lampe capped the rally with a deuce to make it a 21-21 game with 7:23 remaining in the first stanza. The Camels ended the half with a 9-2 run to carry a 37-29 lead into the break.

The Camels took full advantage of a game that featured 45 fouls, knocking down 21 of 23 free throws in the second half. Porter converted 13 of 16 freebies for the hosts. In the latter stages of the second half with 7:28 remaining in regulation, Pierce converted a bucket to pull the Jumbos to within five and the visitors were engaged in a two-possession 55-50 game with the Camels. On the ensuing possession, Lampe answered with a critical three that ignited the hosts on an 8-0 run.

Bernier put the finishing touches on the run with a trey that vaulted the Camels out to a 63-50 lead with 4:33 to play. The Camels were able to put the game away on the foul line, securing their first NESCAC win in front of a partisan home crowd.

The Jumbos travel to UMass Dartmouth for their non-conference game on Wednesday (Feb. 4). The Camels play at Wesleyan next Saturday (Feb. 7).

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