Men’s Hoops: Hot Shooting Leads Panthers Past NEC, 97-68

Courtesy Middlebury Sports Information

HENNIKER, NH. — Middlebury shot .556 from long range on its way to a 97-68 win at New England College (4-1) on Thursday night. The 12th-ranked Panthers improve to 5-0 on the season and will host Keene State on Saturday at 3:00 p.m.

A 7-0 run over a 3:00 span in the first half gave Middlebury a 21-13 lead at the 9:06 mark. Ahead 23-18, Matt Folger scored nine points during a 16-5 run that put the visitors up 39-23 with 3:42 left in the half, as the Panthers took a 50-32 lead into the intermission.

In the second half, the Panthers used a 9-2 spurt to lead 66-40 with 14:26 left to play. The lead later increased to 31 (77-46) on a three from Max Bosco as Middlebury cruised to the victory.

Folger’s career-high 28 points led Middlebury, 18 of them coming from behind the arc on 6-8 shooting. He also added nine rebounds and three blocks, going 11-15 from the floor. Jack Farrell finished with 14 points and six assists, while Bosco netted 14 off the bench. Hilal Dahleh grabbed seven boards and scored as many points, while Eric McCord pulled down eight rebounds.

Izaiah Winston-Brooks led the Pilgrims with 14 points, while Calvin Hardy netted 10 off the bench.

Middlebury held a 52-39 advantage on the boards.