MBB Falls in ENC Classic Opener

QUINCY, Mass. - The Eastern Nazarene men's basketball team took control early in the opening game of the ENC Classic and never looked back, finishing with a 73-57 victory over Mitchell College on Friday evening.

ENC came out with an 8-0 run after Mitchell sunk the first two shots of the game. The Lions eventually took a double-digit lead with 4:27 left in the first half and headed into the locker room with a 40-27 advantage.

A string of plays broke the game open in the second half as Johnny Flakes got things going with a dunk in transition on a pass from Chima Ezeigbo. Ezeigbo then blocked a shot that created a transition three-pointer by Aaron Johnson. A Mitchell turnover led to another ENC basket and a commanding 58-39 lead for Lions.

Ezeigbo recorded his fifth double-double of the season with 19 points and 10 rebounds. Johnson tacked on a game-high 20 points while Flakes contributed 14.

Mitchell (1-6 overall) had four players in double figures. Leading the way for the Mariners was junior Julio Contreras with 12 points. Freshmen Tim Quinn and Alex Del Rio finished with 11 and 10 points, respectively, while senior Patrick Nielsen added 10.

Mitchell will face either New England College or Lancaster Bible College in Saturday's consolation match-up at 2 p.m.