Courtesy Middlebury Sports Information
MIDDLEBURY — The Fifth-ranked Middlebury men snapped Albertus Magnus’ 11-game winning streak, as the Panthers (15-1) picked up an 84-76 win over the Falcons (11-2) on Tuesday in Pepin Gym. Middlebury returns to action on Friday when it hosts #12 Colby at 7:00 p.m., while Albertus Magnus entertains Colby-Sawyer at 3:00 p.m. on Saturday.
The Falcons led 14-8 on a hoop from Tyreek Perkins with 15:28 on the clock. The Panthers took their first advantage of the game on a three from Ryan Cahill at the 11:15 mark, making it a 20-18 contest. Trailing by one (30-29) with 3:57 remaining, the Panthers closed the first half on a 13-4 run to lead 42-34 at the break.
The margin increased to 15 (51-36) 1:27 into the second session on a three-pointer by Jack Farrell. Middlebury led by 10 (60-50) at the 14:07 mark, before an 11-0 run put them up 71-50 with 11:23 left to play. Max Bosco sparked the run with seven points. The Falcons scored the next seven points and slowly chipped away, making it a seven-point game at the 3:22 mark after a pair of free throws from Justice Washington. A clutch three from the corner by Matt Folger put the hosts up 79-68 with 2:07 on the clock as the Panthers went on to the 84-76 win.
Bosco led all scorers with 23 points, including a perfect 9-9 from the free-throw line. Folger earned his sixth double-double of the season with 12 points and 10 boards, to go along with five blocked shots. Tommy Eastman finished with 15 points, Cahill netted a dozen, while Farrell finished with 11 points and six assists.
Jahmerikah Green-Younger led Albertus Magnus with 18 points, Perkins netted 16, while Damian Grant scored nine with seven rebounds. Marquan Watson finished the game with seven points, six rebounds and four blocks.
Middlebury held a 46-37 rebounding advantage in the game. The Panthers are now 7-0 at home and surpassed the 80-point mark for the ninth time this season. Folger now has 1,120 career points, moving into third place at Middlebury past Dave Nelson ’76 (1,108).
WORCESTER, MA. — The Middlebury women improved to 11-3 on the season with a 67-50 road win at Worcester Polytechnic Institute (10-4) on Tuesday night. The Panthers return to action on Friday evening when they visit Colby.
With the game tied at 7-7, Middlebury went on a 7-2 spurt to go up 14-9 on a hoop from Betsy Knox at the 4:34 mark. The Panthers later went on a 7-0 run, moving ahead 21-11 on a three from Vanessa Young with 1:20 left in the first quarter.
Leading 21-13 after 10 minutes, the visitors extended their lead and maintained a near double-digit lead until taking a 37-28 advantage into the break.
In the third quarter, Middlebury held a slim 10-9 advantage and took a 10-point lead (47-37) into the final 10 minutes of play.
The Engineers chipped away, cutting the margin to 55-47 on a hoop from Maddie Blake with 5:03 left to play. Middlebury answered when Kamryn You Mak knocked down a three on the next possession, extending the lead back to double digits at 58-47. Just over a minute later You Mak connected from long range once again, putting her team up 61-47 on its way to the 67-50 victory.
Knox paced the Panthers with 18 points and seven rebounds, while You Mak and Lily Kuntz each scored a dozen. Maya Davis added eight points and nine rebounds, while Alyna Baharozian scored eight points off the bench. Knox picked up one steal in the game, giving her 100 in her career.
Alana Keating was the lone Engineer in double figures with a team-best 16 points. Blake just missed a double-double with nine points and nine rebounds.