BROOKLYN, N.Y. (BC Athletics) – Bridgewater College men’s basketball fell to Wheaton (Mass.) in the championship game at the Medgar Evers Dr. Carol V. De Costa/Go 4 the Goal Tournament by a final score of 65-56 Monday afternoon.

The Bridgewater College Eagles (BCE) dropped to 5-5 overall on the season, and the Wheaton College Lyons improved to 8-3 overall.

How It Happened
After the win that Bridgewater captured the day prior in the tournament; the matchup with the Wheaton Lyons added some extra difficulty and challenges. In the first four minutes of action, the Eagles found themselves falling behind the Lyons as the Lyons successfully landed shots out of zone defense.

The Eagles struggled holding the ball effectively in transition as Wheaton took a definitive lead for the first 10 minutes of play. Wheaton led 17-12 through 12 minutes with the Eagles climbing back slowly. Wheaton missed offensive sequences as the BCE defense strengthened. The Lyons stood ahead with an eight-point edge.

With less than four minutes to go in the first 20, the Eagles managed to drop the deficit to four, but Wheaton continued to drain shots from three. The Lyons then forced a nine-point lead, with a charging Eagles squad continuing to find a breakthrough. WC finished the half, taking the largest lead at 32-20.

The Eagles surged in the first four minutes of the second half with aggressive takes to the rim, cutting the deficit to single digits and lowering offensive miscues. Jahmir Brown drove hard to the rim opening scoring opportunities for the offense to pounce on. Six minutes in, WC held control with a seven-point advantage. Brown soon after pieced together a strong finish at the rim for the and-one execution.

Halfway through the second half, the Lyons continued to exert offensive pressure as they pushed the lead to a commanding 13-point lead at 52-39. As soon as BCE scored, WC responded. Javon Jenkins helped the Eagles stay close with a swished three-pointer, dropping the deficit back down to single digits.

In the final four minutes of play, WC continued to command momentum. The Eagles still struggled to chip away at the deficit with yet another double-digit disadvantage. With a minute to go, the Lyons still held strong with a maintained lead. The Eagles fell 65-56.

Game Notes
• Bridgewater struggled at the free throw line at a 25% mark (3/12).
• Kyren Smith, Jahmir Brown, and Maleek Richardson scored double figures.
• Carter Palmer tallied a season-high 10 rebounds.

Up Next
The Eagles are back in action on Saturday, Jan. 3 at home against Marymount. Tip-off is scheduled for 2 p.m.

— BC Athletics —