Men's Basketball Takes Down Pilgrims for GNAC Victory

HENNIKER, N.H. - The Elms College Men's Basketball team traveled to New England College for a conference game on Tuesday evening.

BASICS
Score: Elms College 62 | New England College 51
Records: Blazers 9-11, 3-4 (GNAC) | Pilgrims 6-13, 1-7 (GNAC)

HOW IT HAPPENED

New England would start the conference game by scoring the first basket, but in their next possession, junior guard DJ Watkins (Union, N.J.) would block a three-point shot. The two conference foes would trade possession, until first year forward Jaedon Bogar (Aubrey, Texas) would make a free throw and would record a steal. The Pilgrims would extend their lead, but Bogar would make a layup, followed by a steal by junior guard Andrew Ciaglo (Hadley, Mass.) that would lead to a second Bogar layup to bring the score to three-points. Moments later, first year guard Jamie Lawson (Charlotte, N.C.) would connect a pass to senior center/guard/forward Edgardo Jacob Cancel (Northampton, Mass.) for a layup, followed by back-to-back layups from Lawson and Cancel, assisted by senior forward Adam Sarlan (Chicopee, Mass.), to take their first lead, 11-8, along with a block by Cancel. NEC would tie the game with a three-point shot, but in their next possession, the Blazers would answer back when Lawson would find an open Cancel for a three-point shot to retake the lead. Moments later, Sarlan would connect a pass to sophomore guard Jack Lo (Harahan, La.) for a layup, followed by a steal by Sarlan and a three-point shot from Ciaglo, assisted by Lo. Soon thereafter, Bogar would add a layup, followed by Ciaglo making a three-point shot and a steal, and a steal by senior forward/guard RJ Mayfield (Springfield, Mass.). As the clock neared halftime, Elms would continue to add to their lead with the assistance of a jump shot by junior guard Arik Dagan (Southbury, Conn.), a pair Bogar of layups, a steal by Cancel that would lead to a breakaway layup, and a free throw by Watkins and Cancel, to go into the break with a 34-22 lead.

The second half would see the Pilgrims score first, but Watkins would record three points with a free throw followed by a layup. Moments later, Mayfield would make a tip-in, and a pair of steals would be made by Ciaglo and Bogar. The two teams would trade possession until Watkins would drive his way towards the basket to make a layup. Soon thereafter, Lawson added a layup, Lo would make a pair of free throws, and a layup by Cancel. Midway through the half, New England would try to cut the Elms' lead, but Mayfield would make a layup, followed by steals by Bogar and Dagan and Watkins making a three-pointer and a layup. Then as the final minutes went off the clock, the Blazers would see Ciaglo add a layup and a three-point shot, along with Bogar and Lawson make three free throws, to secure the conference victory, 62-51.

INSIDE THE NUMBERS

• Bogar - 13 points, seven rebounds, and three steals.

• Cancel - 12 points, five rebounds, two assists, a steal, and a block.

• Ciaglo - 11 points, four rebounds, three steals, and two assists.

• Watkins - 11 points, three rebounds, and a block.

• Mayfield - six rebounds, four points, a steal, and an assist.

• Lawson - five points, three rebounds, and three assists.

• Lo - four points and a rebound.

• Sarlan - three rebounds, two assists, and a steal.

• Dagan - two points, a rebound, and a steal.

• Villanueva - a rebound.

UP NEXT: The Elms College Men's Basketball team will return to Picknelly Arena to host Emmanuel College in a conference matchup for their annual Alumni Day on Saturday, February 7th at 1 pm.

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