Willimantic, CT - The Dean College men's basketball team fell in their final non-conference, regular season contest of the season versus Eastern Connecticut State University, 72-66. Both teams now move to 13-8 overall on the year.
The game began as a war of attrition from both sides. Neither team wanted to give up the tie, therefore, the contest did not see its first extended lead until five minutes into the quarter. Eastern Connecticut State took the first lead of the contest on the back of Elijah Jean-Guillaume (New Haven, CT). Jean-Guillaume posted 26 total points in the contest, leading the Warriors in scoring. 15 of those points were in the first half alone.Â
Dean finally got their first of the game at the halfway mark of the first half. Franklie Idlett (Miami, FL) and
Christian Yeates (Atlanta, GA) converted on layups. Meanwhile,
Ja'maine Davenport (Mays Landing, NJ) extended the lead with an impressive three-point shot. After the Warriors caught up, Idlett and Yeates forced Eastern CT State into foul trouble, allowing both to convert on free throws. Dean ended the first half with an 8-5 run and the lead, 30-28.
Second half scoring started in similar fashion, with both sides trading blows.
Billy Ray Barnes III (Inglewood, CA) and
Noah Ritchards (Rosenburg, TX) converted on baskets in the paint, while Davenport continued his success from close-range. The furious battle continued until the 1:13 mark of the contest, with Dean leading 66-65. However, the Bulldogs missed on key opportunities. Combined with a mix of costly fouls from Dean, the Warriors went on a 7-0 to win the game. The final score favored Eastern CT State, 72-66.
Barnes III led the Bulldogs in scoring, producing 18 points with four assists, five rebounds, and three steals. Idlett scored 13 points for the Bulldogs, and Davenport produced 11 points with four rebounds. Idlett also led the team in total rebounds (10).
Dean is back in action on Tuesday night at 7PM, hosting Mitchell College in a Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) square-dance.Â
