Having its two-game win streak come to a halt, Wheaton saw its overall record fall to 10-6 with a 1-3 mark in conference play. Winners of two straight league games, the Beavers improve to 10-6 on the season and 3-2 in the NEWMAC.
Turnovers plagued Wheaton the entire game and Babson took full advantage, holding a 30-15 edge in points off turnovers including a 16-3 margin in the first half alone. The Lyons still managed to stay close, as the two teams battled through four lead changes and three ties through the first 20 minutes of play. The largest lead of the half took place with 1:40 remaining, when junior CJ Enere (Hyde Park, MA/Lexington) bucketed a three-pointer to give the Beavers a 29-23 advantage. A jumper by Wheaton's Josean Vega (Pawtucket, RI/St. Raphael's) with two seconds to play cut the lead to four points heading into the half.
In the second half, Babson used a 10-4 spurt to open the stanza in taking a 39-29 lead with 16:26 to go. The Beavers' Jeff Nicholson (Methuen, MA/Methuen) had six points during that stretch. Wheaton stayed close but never took the lead, as the Lyons were within four at 52-48 with 8:22 on the clock. The visitors yet again had an answer, going on an 8-2 run for a 60-50 cushion with 6:31 remaining.
Trailing 65-54 with 4:35 to play, the Lyons turned to Vega and senior Scott Mahan (Bridgewater, MA/Cardinal Spellman) for instant offense. Wheaton reeled off 10 unanswered points over a two and a half minute span, as Vega and Mahan each tallied five points during that run. After each team exchanged missed lay-ups, Babson regained possession and extended its edge to 67-64 on a pair of free throws from senior Luke Weber (Highland Mills, NY/Monroe-Woodbury).
Down three with 1:26 left, Wheaton committed its first of three straight turnovers, as Babson's Jeff Hines (Waltham, MA/Waltham) was credited with two of the three steals. The Beavers capitalized in a big way, turning their three steals into six straight points en route to clinching the victory.
Mahan turned in an outstanding all-around performance for the Lyons, totaling game-high totals of 24 points (10-14 FG) and 16 rebounds, including 19 points and nine boards in the second half alone. He also had three blocks and two assists. Vega finished with 17 points, four assists and three steals, while senior Richard Henninger (Duxbury, MA/Duxbury) rounded out the double-figure scoring with 10 points.
Enere led Babson with 16 points (5-10 FG), five rebounds and five assists, while Weber finished with 15 points and five rebounds. Junior Philip Riffe (Newton, MA/Newton North) contributed with 13 points (4-7 FG, 3-5 3-pt FG) and Nicholson added 12 points, four blocks and three steals in the win.
Wheaton will next take on a grueling four-game road swing in the NEWMAC, beginning with Thursday's league game at Springfield College at 7:30 p.m. The Lyons then travel to Coast Guard, MIT and Clark University before returning home on Tuesday, February 10 against Springfield at 7:00 p.m.
Newspaper Box Score Babson College vs Wheaton College 1/27/04 7:00 p.m. at Emerson Gymnasium At Emerson Gymnasium BABSON COLLEGE 75, WHEATON COLLEGE 66 BABSON COLLEGE (10-6) CJ Enere 6-17 3-4 16; Luke Weber 5-10 5-5 15; Phil Riffe 4-7 2-3 13; Jeff Nicholson 5-14 1-2 12; Dan Elliman 2-4 2-2 6; Jeff Hines 3-8 0-0 6; Brooks Brown 2-3 0-0 4; Brian Parsons 1-5 1-1 3. Totals 28-68 14-17 75. WHEATON COLLEGE (10-6) Scott Mahan 10-14 4-9 24; Josean Vega 7-21 2-2 17; Richard Henninger 3-5 4-4 10; James Greenslit 2-2 2-2 7; Mike Stanton 1-4 2-2 4; Mark Ledwell 2-3 0-0 4; Frankie Whall 0-3 0-0 0; Sean Kelly 0-3 0-0 0. Totals 25-55 14-19 66. Babson College................ 29 46 - 75 Wheaton College............... 25 41 - 66 3-point goals-Babson College 5-13 (Phil Riffe 3-5; Jeff Nicholson 1-3; CJ Enere 1-2; Jeff Hines 0-1; Dan Elliman 0-1; Luke Weber 0-1), Wheaton College 2-7 (James Greenslit 1-1; Josean Vega 1-3; Mike Stanton 0-1; Frankie Whall 0-1; Sean Kelly 0-1). Fouled out--Babson College-None, Wheaton College-Frankie Whall. Rebounds-Babson College 33 (Luke Weber 5; CJ Enere 5; Jeff Hines 5), Wheaton College 39 (Scott Mahan 16). Assists-Babson College 14 (CJ Enere 5), Wheaton College 12 (Josean Vega 4). Total fouls-Babson College 16, Wheaton College 20. A-515