The Gulls (4-6) got off to a hot start as they built a 20-12 advantage midway through the opening frame. Endicott was led by the strong play of Ross Stewart (Palm Harbor, FL) and Tom Connor (Kittery, ME), who pumped in nine points and seven points respectively in the first 20 minutes. The blue and green would lead by as many as 11 in the first half (40-29), however the Bears (7-4) would respond. Led by the play of senior guard Adam Rose (Harwich, MA), BSC would escape into the dressing room down only seven, 40-33.
The Gulls would quickly see their hard-earned lead disappear in the second half, as Derek Thompson (Hyannis, MA) converted on a feed from Roland Millien (Stoughton, MA) with 14:32 remaining, putting the visitors up 51-50. After a Nemanja Marinkovic (Belgrade, Serbia) jumper and a Joey Burgos (Lawrence, MA) lay-in, Gary Corbett (Danbury, CT) knocked down a deep three-ball, putting Endicott back up seven at 62-55.
Despite Endicott’s best effort to keep the visitors down, Bridgewater State just would not go away. The Bears clawed their way back into the contest, and with 2:00 remaining Adam Rose knocked down consecutive free-throws to narrow Endicott’s lead to one. Less than a minute later, the Gulls were able to seal the deal as Todd Burton (Lynn, MA) knocked down a 19-footer for the eventual game winner, putting Endicott up 73-70. After two successful free-throws from BSC’s K.C. Grandfield (Dartmouth, MA) and an Endicott turnover, the Bears had a chance to win the game but couldn’t convert on the tough inside look.
Endicott was led by Ross Stewart. The sophomore guard shot 5-for-6 from behind the arc and scored a team-high 19 points. Nemanja Marinkovic turned in a double-double for the blue and green, as he dropped 14 points and grabbed 10 rebounds in the win. Bridgewater State College had three players in double figures, led by a game-high 28 points from Adam Rose.
Next up for Endicott is a Commonwealth Coast Conference game on Tuesday night against the Nor’easters of the University of New England. Bridgewater is back in action on Saturday afternoon at 3 as the Bears head to Framingham, Mass. to take on MASCAC rival Framingham State.