BOX SCORE

BRUNSWICK, Maine - Colby's Gil Halyon converted on three free-throws with 14 seconds remaining to break a 48-48 tie and propel the Mules men's basketball team to a 53-51 win at Bowdoin on Saturday. In the NESCAC opener for both squads, Colby improves to 10-2 (1-0 NESCAC) while the Polar Bears fall to 8-4 (0-1 NESCAC).

In a game that featured five tie scores and six lead changes, Bowdoin carried a three-point lead into halftime, 29-26, but could push their advantage no further than four points early in the second half. Chas Woodward netted a layup with 10:45 to tie the game at 37 apiece for Colby and the Mules would never trail again, despite a late Bowdoin rally.

Bowdoin would tie the game on two occasions down the stretch, the final time coming on a jumper from Paul Sellew with 41 seconds remaining. Halyon received a pass on the left wing with the shot clock winding down for Colby and pump-faked Bowdoin defender Will Hanley into the air, drawing contact and a three-shot foul. Halyon connected on all three freebies to give the Mules the lead. Sellew's potential game-tying trifecta rimmed out on Bowdoin's next possession and Justin Sherman sealed the win for Colby with two from the charity stripe.

The difference in the game proved to be Colby's 11-13 effort from the free-throw line compared to Bowdoin's 4-7 attempts. The Polar Bears hit on 40% of their shots for the game compared to the Mules' 36%. Colby held a 34-30 edge in rebounding.

Colby's Mike Russell led all players with 14 points and 10 rebounds and was supported by 12 off the bench from Halyon. Bowdoin featured three players in double figures, led by 12 from Hanley and 11 from Mark Phillips. Mike Hauser scored 10 points and dished out five assists in the setback.

Photos courtesy of Brian Beard and Creative Images Photography.