Quincy, MA – Men's Basketball bounced back with a 87-81 win against the Eastern Nazarene College Lions on Saturday, January 13
th, 2024.
Thomas College: Overall (6-9), NAC (3-2)
Eastern Nazarene College: Overall (5-12), NAC (2-7)
How it Happened:
- The Terriers started the game on a roll, going on a 12-3 run in the opening four minutes thanks to seven quick points from Metin Yavuz.
- Parker Desjardins followed with two three-pointers to extend the Terrier lead to 22-7 with 12 minutes to play in the first half.
- The Terriers went on a 14-4 run around 10 minutes left in the first half, extending their lead over the Lions.
- The Terriers closed out the first half with four straight points in the final 15 seconds, giving them a 22-point lead to take into the break.
- The Terriers defense dominated in the first half, only allowing 22 points.
- The Lions came out of halftime determined to get back into the game and hit three three-point shots in the opening four minutes.
- The Terriers continued to battle with the Lions, with both teams trading shots for the next six minutes, while the Terriers were holding on to a 61-44 lead with 10 minutes to play.
- The Lions would go on to score five straight points, but James Phelan responded with an important three-point shot.
- Cooper Wirkala would hit four free-throws in the next two minutes, extending the Terrier lead to 17 with five minutes remaining.
- After a Parker Desjardins three-point shot, the Lions scored seven straight points to cut the Terrier lead to just 10 with just under two minutes to play.
- However, good free-throw shooting from Mark McDonald, Wirkala, and Desjardins in the final two minutes ensured the Terrier conference win, 87-81.
Inside the Stats:
- The Terriers dominated in points in the paint with 32, compared to the 22 produced by the Lions.
- Yavuz led all scorers with 17 points, while also adding seven rebounds.
- Wirkala, Jackson Ruelke, and Desjardins would all score in double figures, while Phelan added seven assists.
What's Next:
- Men's Basketball will look to continue their success as they travel to Cambridge, Massachusetts to take on Lesley University on Friday, January 19th, 2024. Tip-off is scheduled for 5:30 PM.