MBB: Terriers Pull Away Late in Conference Game Over Badgers

MBB: Terriers Pull Away Late in Conference Game Over Badgers

JOHNSON, Vt.-The Northern Vermont University-Johnson men's basketball team fell to Thomas College by a score of 80-72 on Friday night. 

 The Badgers were led by first year player Haji Haji (Burlington, Vt.) off the bench. Haji scored a career high 17 points going 5-11 from the field while also adding seven rebounds. Senior Donell Shaw (Washington, DC) and Robert Dubose (Philadelphia, PA) made a strong impact for the Badgers as Shaw chipped in 15 points and Dubose recorded his first double double of the season with 12 points and 10 rebounds. 

 The Badgers and Terriers were neck and neck for the entire first half. After a strong Terrier 13-5 run to begin the game the Badgers chipped within three points. The Terriers calmed the Badgers run by going on another 17-8 run, but the Badgers didn't fold. Back to back layups from Haji Haji and another field goal make by freshman Winston Jones (Los Angeles, CA) brought the Badgers within seven points. The Terriers made one last push to go up big late in the half but were unsuccessful and took a 38-34 lead going into halftime. 

 In the start of the second half the Badgers scored the first basket of the second half pushing the deficit to two. Demetris Webster answered quickly attacking the basketball and getting to the line for two free throws. Both teams traded baskets until the five-minute mark when the Terriers got hot. Zach Mackinnon and Michael Gilman made consecutive jump shots to put the Terriers up 70-60. The Terriers kept control of the ball and were successful on defense closing the game and earning the victory 80-72.

 The Terriers were led by Justin Butler who shot an impressive 10-11 from the field. Butler scored 24 points off the bench for the Terriers. Zach Mackinnon contributed a double double of his own scoring 21 points while adding 13 rebounds.

 With the loss the Badgers fall to 0-13 on the season and 0-5 in North Atlantic Conference play. The Terriers improve to 3-2 in conference play and 6-9 overall.

 

NEXT UP

 The Badgers are set to face off against North Atlantic Conference foe University of Maine Farmington on Saturday, January 12 at 1:00pm in Carter Gym. Currently the Beavers are sitting atop the conference standings at an impressive 5-0 with their most recent victory coming against NVU-Lyndon.