BRUNSWICK, Maine - The Bowdoin College men's basketball team dealt 16th-ranked Hamilton their second consecutive league loss in a 72-68 victory on Friday evening in Morrell Gymnasium.

The Polar Bears extend their winning streak to four games and improve to 14-4 (3-2  NESCAC) this season. The Continentals fall to 16-2 (3-2 NESCAC) with the setback.

Game Highlights

• The teams traded blows throughout the contest with neither squad able to pull away.
• The Continentals were able to take advantage of some early foul trouble for the Polar Bears to carry a 38-33 lead into halftime despite just 38% shooting in the first 20 minutes, but converting on 6-6 from the free throw line.
• Hamilton got a jumper from Peter Hoffman and a three-pointer from Joe Pucci right out of halftime to take their biggest lead of the contest, 43-35, with 18:33 remaining.
• Bowdoin replied with a 9-0 run, sparked by a Liam Farley three-pointer, and held the Continentals scoreless for a stretch of four minutes to take the lead 44-43 with 15 minutes to go.
• Hamilton briefly regained the lead on a Hoffman layup, 45-44, but the Polar Bears got consecutive three-pointers from Jack Simonds and Jack Bors to take a 50-45 edge with under 13 minutes to go.
• Bowdoin would never relinquish the lead again, despite Hamilton cutting the lead to a single point on three occasions, including at 64-63 with 1:55 to go.
• The Polar Bears scored the next four points and put the game on ice with four late free throws to clinch the victory.

By The Numbers

• Bowdoin finished at 45% shooting for the game and held Hamilton to just 36% from the field.
• Liam Farley was outstanding, scoring 20 points with eight rebounds for Bowdoin while Jack Simonds buried 18 points with six boards and seven assists.
• Hugh O'Neil scored 12 points while Sam Grad spelled him with four big rebounds in the second half to help Bowdoin to the victory.
• Peter Hoffman scored a game-high 24 points with eight caroms for Hamilton, who also got double-digits from Joe Pucci (12) and Kena Gilmour (11).
• Hamilton won the rebounding battle 41-38, but Bowdoin scored 20 points off 19 Continental turnovers.

Up Next

• Bowdoin hosts Amherst on Saturday afternoon at 3:00 p.m.
• Hamilton heads to Colby for a 3:00 p.m. game on Saturday.