MIDDLEBURY, VT – The Bowdoin men's basketball team lost a hard-fought battle at sixth-ranked Middlebury, 72-70 Friday night. This game was filled with back and forth action throughout, including ten lead changes and eight ties.

The Polar Bears drop to 14-6 (3-4 NESCAC) with the loss to the Panthers. Middlebury improves to 17-3 (6-1 NESCAC) with the victory.

Game Highlights

• Middlebury got out to an 18-10 lead over Bowdoin to begin the game, thanks to a 7-0 Panthers run.
• Bowdoin and Middlebury went back and forth as the first half saw seven lead changes.
• Joey Leighton scored early and often for Middlebury, netting seven of the teams first 10, and concluding the half with nine.
• Bowdoin allowed 11 offensive rebounds in the first half, leading 18 second chance points for Middlebury.
• The Polar Bears continued fighting back with the help of the long ball, connecting on eight three-pointers in the first half 
• Jack Simonds led the way for Bowdoin with 10 first half points.
• The Polar Bears came out strong to begin the second half, going on a 10-5 run, garnering a six-point lead at 49-43 with 13:17 remaining.
• Middlebury then went on a 6-0 run to tie the game at 57 with 7:45 left on the clock.
• Bowdoin was able to hit three's on back-to-back possessions from Liam Farley and Simonds, going on 6-0 run and taking a three-point lead at 65-62.
• Middlebury answered with a 6-0 run of their own, from three-pointers made by Jack Daly and Hilal Dahleh, taking a 70-67 lead over the Polar Bears with 2:23 remaining.
• Middlebury tied the score at 70 and held the ball with under a minute to play - with five seconds left to play Adisa Majors hit a game-winning jump shot from the baseline to give the Panthers a 72-70 victory.

By The Numbers

• Simonds was the game-high scorer with 18 points for the Polar Bears, including four three-pointers
•  Liam Farley added 17 points for Bowdoin from four long balls, along with five rebounds.
• Reynolds also made four three-pointers, totaling 16 points for the game, with five assists and four boards.
• Matt Folger was the team-high scorer for Middlebury with 12 points, tacking on six rebounds as well.
• Middlebury won the battle of the boards, out-rebounding the Polar Bears 51-38, adding 24 offensive rebounds, leading to 28 second chance points.

Up Next

• Bowdoin is away at Williams for a Saturday afternoon contest. Tip-off is at 3:00pm
• Middlebury is home Saturday at 3:00pm against Colby.