The first half was tight from start to finish, as neither team led by more than five and the lead changed hands eight times. To begin the game, Wheaton and Connecticut College combined to hit the first eight shots they attempted, as well as 11 of the first 13 during the opening 4:46. Connecticut College sophomore Charles Stone (Hackensack, NJ/Hotchkiss School), who finished the first half with 10 points, opened the game with a bucket during the game's first possession, but Wheaton senior James Greenslit (Framingham, MA/Rivers School) countered with a quick three-pointer.
Consecutive treys from junior Gabe Patton (Lynnfield, MA/Phillips Exeter Academy) and freshman Billy Karis (Potsdam, NY/Worcester Academy) gave the Camels their biggest lead of the half, 19-14 at 12:41, but a long-range shot by Lyon sophomore Justin Brown (Gorham, ME/Gorham) and a basket from junior Brian Zukowski (Dracut, MA/Dracut) knotted the game at the 9:42 mark. Patton sank two free throws with 2:02 remaining for the final scoring of the half, and Connecticut College took a 27-25 lead into the locker room. The Lyons started the game by hitting their first five shots before going 4-of-23 from the field during the remainder of the stanza.
Greenslit hit a three-pointer 53 seconds into the second period to swing the lead in favor of the Lyons, but play remained tight in the opening minutes and the hosts found themselves behind, 39-37 with 9:42 to play. Wheaton's offense clicked during the next nine minutes, as the Lyons never relinquished their advantage following the 11th lead change of the game thanks to a 19-6 run, during which Zukowski netted 10 points. Zukowski gave the Blue and White the lead at 8:42 when he knocked down a free throw during a personal run of scoring nine consecutive Wheaton points. Karis nailed a pair of long-range shots during the final minute in an attempt to rally the Camels, but Greenslit hit four straight freebies down the stretch to ice the victory.
Zukowski netted a game-high 18 points, while Greenslit notched 14 points thanks to 6-of-6 shooting from the charity stripe to go along with three steals. Senior Sean Kelly (Providence, RI/Wheeler School) added eight points, seven assists and six steals, while sophomore Brent DiGiovanna (Hanover, MA/Hanover) turned in a game-high-tying eight rebounds. Wheaton continued its strong defensive play, forcing 21 turnovers for the second straight game and cashing in by outscoring the Camels, 18-4 off giveaways. The Lyons committed only seven turnovers and hit 22-of-31 free throws.
Stone had 14 points on 7-of-10 shooting for the Camels, Patton finished with 11 points and eight rebounds, and Karis collected 11 points and seven boards.
Wheaton plays four of its next five games away from home, beginning with Thursday's contest against Roger Williams University at 7:00 p.m.
Newspaper Box Score Connecticut College vs Wheaton College 12/6/05 7:00 p.m. at Emerson Gymnasium, Norton, Mass. At Emerson Gymnasium, Norton, Mass. WHEATON COLLEGE 60, CONNECTICUT COLLEGE 53 CONNECTICUT COLLEGE (5-2) Charles Stone 7-10 0-0 14; Gabe Patton 3-4 2-2 11; Billy Karis 4-8 0-0 11; Jahkeen Washington 3-8 0-2 6; Christian Mosley 1-7 3-4 5; Jeff Young 2-8 0-2 4; Sokol Zejnullahu 1-3 0-0 2; Will Lyons 0-3 0-0 0; Ulises Veras 0-0 0-0 0. Totals 21-51 5-10 53. WHEATON COLLEGE (5-1) Brian Zukowski 5-11 7-11 18; James Greenslit 3-4 6-6 14; Sean Kelly 1-12 6-8 8; Kristopher Pedra 3-8 0-2 6; Brent DiGiovanna 2-7 1-2 5; Justin Brown 1-1 0-0 3; David Harding 1-2 0-0 2; Patrick McDonough 1-2 0-0 2; Eric Johnston 0-4 2-2 2; Jake Otto 0-0 0-0 0; Ryan McDonough 0-2 0-0 0. Totals 17-53 22-31 60. Connecticut College........... 27 26 - 53 Wheaton College............... 25 35 - 60 3-point goals-Connecticut College 6-19 (Gabe Patton 3-4; Billy Karis 3-5; Christian Mosley 0-5; Jeff Young 0-2; Will Lyons 0-3), Wheaton College 4-11 (James Greenslit 2-3; Justin Brown 1-1; Brian Zukowski 1-5; Kristopher Pedra 0-1; Sean Kelly 0-1). Fouled out--Connecticut College-Charles Stone, Wheaton College-None. Rebounds-Connecticut College 42 (Gabe Patton 8), Wheaton College 30 (Brent DiGiovanna 8). Assists-Connecticut College 11 (Jeff Young 3), Wheaton College 11 (Sean Kelly 7). Total fouls-Connecticut College 26, Wheaton College 11. A-200