BRUNSWICK, Maine – The Bowdoin College men's basketball team used an outstanding defensive effort to knock off Connecticut College, 54-42, on Friday evening in Morrell Gymnasium. The Polar Bears earn their first conference win of the season and improve to 9-11 (1-5 NESCAC) while the Camels fall to 12-7 (3-2 NESCAC).
 
Game Highlights

• In a physical, defensive battle, the Camels grabbed the early lead, taking a 9-2 advantage five minutes into the contest.
• Bowdoin chipped away at the lead, tying it on an Alex Halpern three-pointer (11-11) and taking their first lead of the game on a trifecta from Andrew Szwez (14-11) with under six minutes left in the half.
• The Polar Bears carried a 27-21 lead into intermission thanks in great part to six three-pointers in the period.
• Bowdoin opened up an eight-point lead early in the second half, only to see the Camels roll off an 8-0 surge to deadlock the score at 31 apiece with 13:40 to go.
• The Camels opened up a five-point lead, 37-32, with ten minutes to go, but a three-pointer from Michael Simonds sparked a 7-2 run that tied the game at 39 with under five to go.
• The teams traded scoreless possessions before a pair of Jack Shea free throws, followed by a put-back from Xander Werkman opened up a four-point edge with under three remaining.
• Werkman delivered the knockout blow moments later, burying a baseline three-pointer with under a minute left to seal the victory.

By The Numbers

• Xander Werkman had 14 points and 13 rebounds to go with four assists in the win while Michael Simonds scored 15 with seven boards.
• Kevin Reeves scored ten points off the bench while Alex Halpern added eight.
• Bowdoin finished at 34% shooting compared to 32% for Connecticut College.
• Bowdoin held a huge 43-26 edge in rebounding and held the Camels to just one offensive board.

Up Next

• The Polar Bears are off until Friday when they head to Bates for a 7:00 p.m. tip-off.