BRUNSWICK, Maine – The Bowdoin College men's basketball team pushed Carnegie Mellon to overtime, but dropped a 90-88 decision on the opening day of the UAA-NESCAC Men's Basketball Challenge Saturday afternoon in Morrell Gymnasium. The Polar Bears fall 5-3 while the Tartans improve to 6-1.
 
Game Highlights

• Alex Halpern led Bowdoin to a slim 35-34 halftime lead with four three-pointers as the teams combined to shoot 46% from the field.
• The teams traded the lead multiple times throughout the second half, but a quick surge by the visitors gave CMU a 76-71 lead with under 30 seconds to go.
• Three free throws by Ray Cuevas, a missed front end of a 1-and-1 for the Tartans, and a driving lay-up by Mason Dawkins with seconds remaining forced the game into overtime tied at 76.
• Down by one, 87-85, with under ten seconds to play, Cuevas again was fouled on a three-pointer and gave Bowdoin a 88-87 lead with under six seconds to play.
• Carnegie Mellon drove the length of the court on the ensuing inbounds play and Sam Adusei three-pointer from the win to give the Tartans a 90-88 lead with 0.7 on the clock.
• Mason Dawkins had a chance to tie on the final shot but his 15-footer rimmed out as the Tartans came away with the win.

By The Numbers

• CMU finished at 54% shooting for the game, including 11-21 from long range. Bowdoin connected on 43% from the field and went 14-27 from three-point distance.
• Ray Cuevas scored a career-high 39 points, including five three-pointers, with eight rebounds, and four assists.
• Alex Halpern also netted a career-high with 18 and Ben Chilson had ten.

Up Next

• Bowdoin will return to action on day two of the NESCAC-UAA Challenge Sunday against Rochester at 1:30 p.m.