JOHNSON, VT. – The Johnson State College men's basketball team fell to New England College 85-82 in a North Atlantic Conference (NAC) game on Tuesday evening.
The Badgers drop to 7-9 on the season and 4-5 in the NAC, while NEC improves to 10-5 and 5-3 in the conference.
1st Half
Johnson jumped out to an early 10-2 lead in the first five minutes of the half. The Pilgrims battled back through the middle part of the period, eventually taking a 26-24 lead on a Jack Hostetler three-pointer with 3:40 remaining in the period. NEC would go on to take a 35-31 lead into the intermission. Marqwon Wynn (Wilmington, Del.) led all scorers in the half with 11 points, while Alonzo Cooper paced the Pilgrims with 10.
2nd Half
The teams stayed close through the first half of the second, with NEC holding a 62-58 lead with 10:01 left in the game. The Pilgrims extended their lead over the next seven and a half minutes, leading 79-67 with 2:24 remaining. The Badgers stormed back in the closing minutes, pulling the score to 85-82 with 8.3 seconds left. Rasul Jackson (Philadelphia, Pa.) rimmed out a three-pointer with time expiring that would have sent the game to overtime, and the Badgers fell 85-82. Benjamin Holl (Philadelphia, Pa.) led Johnson with 15 points in the half, shooting 3-5 from beyond the arc. Cooper once again led NEC in the half with nine points.
Johnson Leaders
Wynn was Johnson's leading scorer, recording a game high 24 points and three steals. Holl chipped in 20 points for the Badgers and hauled in seven rebounds and three assists. Demetrius Slade (Washington, D.C.) was Johnson's leading rebounder with 11, and picked up nine points and four assists.
NEC Leaders
Cooper ended with 19 points, five rebounds, four assists and three steals. Izaiah Winston-Brooks recorded a double-double with 14 points and 10 boards.
Stat Breakdown
The teams shot an identical 29-66 (43.9%) from the field, with NEC holding a 44.0% to 34.4% advantage from beyond the arc. The Pilgrims outrebounded the Badgers by a margin of 46-32, while Johnson won the turnover battle, 11-14. NEC's bench outscored Johnson's 28-7.
Next Up
Johnson will host Lyndon State on Saturday, January 21st at 1:00 p.m. in a NAC contest in Carter Gym.