BRUNSWICK, Maine – The Bates College men's basketball team held off Bowdoin, 72-58, in a non-conference clash between the teams on Thursday evening at Morrell Gymnasium.

The Bobcats improve to 4-1 this season while the Polar Bears fall to 3-4. The teams will play their NESCAC conference game on February 1 in Lewiston.

Game Highlights

• Despite 19 first-half points from Bowdoin's David Reynolds, the Bobcats took a halftime lead thanks to ten first-half turnovers by the Polar Bears.
• Jeff Spellman scored 11 points in the opening half for Bates and Tom Coyne hit a buzzer-beating layup to give the visitors at 32-25 edge at the break.
• The Polar Bears cut the lead to three points early in the second half after a three-pointer by Sam Grad trimmed the Bates lead to 36-33.
• Bates responded with a 9-2 run, pushing the lead into double digits after a Stephon Baxter jumper with 13:35 remaining.
• As the Polar Bears struggled from the field, Bates used a key 11-2 surge later in the period, and pushed their lead to as many as 18 points in the second half.
• Bowdoin made a late run, but could get no closer than ten points.

By The Numbers

• Jeff Spellman finished with 21 points and 11 rebounds for Bates.
• David Reynolds scored a game-high 26 points for Bowdoin but was the lone Polar Bear in double digits. He also led the team with seven rebounds.
• Bates shot 39% for the game, but connected on 48% in the second half on their way to the win. Bowdoin was held to just 36% from the field.
• The Bobcats also held a 45-38 edge in rebounding for the game.

Up Next

• Bowdoin will close out its first semester on Sunday when they head to play at Maine-Farmington at 2:00 p.m.
• Bates will host Saint Joseph's on Saturday at 4:00 p.m.