MBB Falls to ENC in Overtime

NEW LONDON, Conn. – In a game that featured 10 ties and 15 lead changes, Eastern Nazarene College came out on top by an 86-81 overtime final against Mitchell College on Wednesday night in a New England Collegiate Conference men's basketball match-up at the Yarnall Athletic Center.

Bernie McGuinness scored 20 points—including six of his team's nine in the bonus session—to lead five Lions in double figures. He also pulled down 10 rebounds and shot a perfect 10-for-10 at the free throw line. Nick Manso and Corey McGee added 15 points apiece while Ozzy Traill and Deonta Pearson chipped in 13 and 10, respectively.

Alfonzo Stokes paced the Mariners with 22 points and grabbed five rebounds. Mikey Buscetto delivered 18 points and nine assists while Wilton Causey came off the bench to record a double-double of 10 points and 10 boards.

ENC led 38-35 at intermission but used a 13-5 start to the second half to seize its biggest lead of the game at 51-40 with 16:36 to play. Over the next 2:14, Mitchell responded with a 10-3 run to trim the deficit down to four.

The Mariners took their first lead of the half on a three-pointer by Buscetto with 9:06 to go. Neither team led by more than four for the remainder of regulation.

Mitchell went up 74-70 on a layup by Causey with 3:12 left on the clock. A minute later, Manso buried a three to bring the Lions to within one. After the Mariners came up empty on their next two possessions, ENC pulled in front with 44 seconds remaining on a jumper by McGuinness. 

The Mariners quickly brought the ball up the floor, and Buscetto found Jalen Benson for an open three that put the home team back on top. However, ENC's Ka'Shaun Swan was fouled on the ensuing possession, and he tied the game with a pair of free throws with 13 seconds left.

Buscetto missed on a game-winning attempt from long range in the final seconds of regulation, but he opened the overtime period with a layup to give the Mariners the early advantage. McGuinness then went to work for the Lions, scoring six straight points—on a jumper, two free throws and a tip-in—to build an 83-79 lead. 

Mitchell made it a one-possession game with 47 seconds left in the OT, but the Lions converted their free throws down the stretch to seal the victory. ENC improved to 12-9 overall and 3-0 in league action. 

Mitchell (11-10 overall, 1-2 NECC) will next host Lesley University on Saturday, February 12 at 1 p.m.