Wheaton has three-game win streak snapped at Babson in league opener

January 6, 2007

BABSON PARK, MA- The Wheaton College men's basketball team had its three-game winning streak come to a halt Saturday afternoon at Babson College, as the Lyons whittled a 16-point deficit in the second half down to two before falling short of the Beavers, 75-67 in the New England Women's and Men's Athletic Conference (NEWMAC) opener for both teams at Staake Gymnasium. Wheaton falls to 6-4, and Babson improves to 7-5.

The Lyons never did hold a lead in Babson Park, falling behind 15-5 with 13:16 remaining in the opening half. Wheaton eventually went on an 8-0 run to narrow its gap to one at 20-19 with 7:47 left. Sophomore Kristopher Pedra (Avon, CT/Avon) came up big during that stretch, picking up two assists, two steals, an offensive rebound and a basket. However, the hosts scored 12 unanswered to take a 32-19 lead at 4:52. Junior Greg Bush (East Islip, NY/East Islip) scored seven points during that run, as Babson carried a 38-24 lead into halftime.

Five different Beaver scorers propelled the hosts to a 48-32 cushion with 14:37 remaining in regulation, but Wheaton began to make headway by outscoring Babson, 16-6 during a 4:05 stretch to get back to within six midway through the half. The Beavers held a 64-54 advantage with 5:31 on the clock, but a 9-1 Wheaton run got the Lyons within two, as senior Brian Zukowski (Dracut, MA/Dracut) and freshman Ben Stehle (Newton, MA/Newton South) each knocked down a three. Two Stehle free throws at 2:45 kept Wheaton to a single-possession deficit, but the Lyons would get no closer as Babson scored the next six points, including the final four on free throws.

The Beavers made 56.5 percent of their shots in the second half and finished the game at 50.9 percent, while Wheaton converted 50.0 percent of its second-half shots and went for a 47.1 percent clip for the game. The Lyons held a 30-25 rebounding advantage, but Babson forced 25 Wheaton turnovers on 12 steals while committing just 17 giveaways. Each team made 75.0 percent of its free throw opportunities.

Zukowski led four double-figure scorers with 14 points, going 5-of-10 from the floor and 4-of-8 from beyond the three-point arc, while Stehle and junior Eric Johnston (South Windsor, CT/East Catholic) added 12 points apiece. Junior Brent DiGiovanna (Hanover, MA/Hanover) contributed 10 points, Stehle led all rebounders with eight boards, and Pedra finished with a game-high-tying five steals.

Bush turned in a game-best 23 points for the Beavers on 8-of-12 shooting to go along with five steals. Senior Brian Parsons (Queensbury, NY/Glens Falls) chipped in 13 points, junior reserve Kyle McDonald (Wethersfield, CT/Wethersfield) added 10 markers and sophomore Norm de Silva (Dartmouth, MA/Loomis Chaffee School) had a game-best seven assists.

Wheaton concludes its six-game road swing Tuesday night at conference foe United States Coast Guard Academy at 7:30 p.m.

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