The Tripod

It has been a bit of a rocky start to the season for the Trinity College men's Basketball team. However, the bantams do not let a little defeat get them down, rising up to win their most recent game, and giving hope to their season.

The Bantams began with a win in their very first game at Roger Williams University Friday, Nov. 20, at 8 p.m. In the opening round of the 2009 Courtyard by Marriott Men's Basketball Tip-Off Tournament, the Bantams beat the Fisher College Falcons by a narrow margin, winning by a score of 79 - 75.

Guard Brian Ford '11 made valuable contributions in the win, managing to make eight of 10 shots from the field and six shots out of seven from three point range, scoring a game-high 24 points.

The game was a close one with each team having the lead at different points throughout the game. The Falcons took a 43-37 lead into the second half but the Bantams were able to overcome it, and with 1:30 left forward Luke MacDougall '11 tied the game at 75-75.

With just a minute left on the clock, forward Jon Pike '12 scored the game-winning basket, finishing with 13 points. MacDougall finished the game with 11 points and six rebounds, and guard Salah Abdo '12 also stood out with a game-high total of eight assists.

Unfortunately, the Bantams were unable to win their next game on Saturday, Nov. 21, falling to 1-1 in the second game of the season against the Roger Williams Hawks at the Tip-Off Tournament final.

The teams both started on equal footing with eight points each. The Hawks then took control and were leading by 11 points at the midway point of the first half.

The Hawks were able to hold onto their huge lead until midway through the second half when Trinity bounced back cutting the lead to only three points. MacDougall and Mick Distasio '13, each with a three, in addition to a layup by Cameron Sutton '13 helped Trinity fight to decrease the Hawk's lead.

Sutton had a great game, scoring 12 points and having four rebounds in only his second college game. Chris Applegate '12 also proved his worth, scoring 15 points. He grabbed nine rebounds and made three steals.

However, the Bantams were unable to make a comeback as the Hawks managed to cling to their early-game lead, and the game ended at 69-61. Both Applegate and Ford were named to the All- Tournament team.

Luck was not on the Bantams' side on Tuesday, Nov. 24, in their game against the Eastern Connecticut State University Warriors, as they suffered yet another close loss.

Trinity scored the final four points of regulation resulting in overtime.

The Bantams scored five points, including a three-point field goal by Brian Ford '11 that helped tie the game at 74-74 with only 24 seconds left on the clock. Eastern's Nick Nedwick managed to get in a three pointer from the left side giving the Warriors a 77-74 lead with only 1.5 seconds remaining.

Trinity inbounded the ball into the backcourt, but there was not enough time for a comeback, and the game ended at 77-74.

MacDougall did well once again with a team-high 19 points and eight rebounds. Guard Ian Fels '11 and Ford both hit big shots, with 15 points and 11 points respectively.

The Trinity Bantams fell to 1-2 in the season losing their second game in a row, by only three points.

The basketball team did not let a little defeat drain morale and they made a great comeback in the game against the Babson College Beavers, improving to 2-2 in the season. It was the first home game on Stan Ogrodnik Court at Ray Oosting Gymnasium of the season on Sunday, Nov. 29, and the Bantams won by a score of 85-59.

In the first half, with the score tied at 6-6, the Bantams went on a 15-0 run, gaining a 21-6 lead over the Beavers. Pike scored 18 points propelling Trinity to a lead of 48-25 at halftime. Pike also had three blocks, three assists, two rebounds and a steal in the game, helping Trinity to maintain their lead.

Guard Salah Abdo '12 played his part, collecting seven points, five assists, five steals and three blocks in the game.

Forward Timothy Dunn '11 and Distacio made their contribution with a combination of 21 points and eight rebounds off the bench.

Despite a slightly rocky start, the Bantams have proved in their last game that they have what it takes, not just to win their games, but completely defeat their opponent. We look forward, with high expectations, to a great game against the New York City College of Technology on Saturday, Dec. 8 at 3 p.m. at home. The Bantams will not face any NESCAC opponents until after winter break. On Friday, Jan. 15 they will play Connecticut College at home.

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