Men’s Basketball Drops Heartbreaker in Overtime at Endicott

BEVERLY, Mass. (February 7, 2023) – Western New England's men's basketball team lost to the Endicott College Gulls in overtime play on the road for a final score of 87-85.

Records:

• Western New England: 16-5, 12-3 CCC
• Endicott College: 13-9, 9-6 CCC

How It Happened: The Golden Bears got ahead five to nothing with a layup put in by Tim Restall and then a three-pointer shot in by Brian Geitner. The Gulls took it in for two, and Gavin Greene and Restall added four more to WNE's score for them to be on top 9-2. Endicott heated up from the three-point line and after they sank a couple, they were within one of the Golden Bears. Some free-throws taken by Jake Harrison and a trip to the bucket by Greene gave WNE a little separation, but a three and a layup and the Gulls were back within one of the Golden Bears 19-18. WNE worked their way to be back ahead six, and shot from beyond the arc brought the Gulls down one. They tied it a little over five minutes in the first, and then took the lead with three three-pointers, 39-31. Geitner knocked in a jumper and three before the close of the half, Golden Bears down 39-36.

Geitner came out shooting from the three to tie the game. He made another one for the lead proceeding a couple basket exchanges, and Greene threw in a layup, 46-43. Two consecutive layups taken in by Harrison, Golden Bears had gathered a lead of five, and at the 14:18 mark, had the leading score 54-46. There were three trips to the foul line for both teams, and the Gulls started hitting them from the three once again. WNE still put in shots, but three more threes took the Gulls ahead, 63-61, halfway through the second. Harrison drove in and was fouled on the made shot for three points, and Endicott scored a three. Harrison took it in again, Endicott made another three. Greene got in on the three-point game, Geitner continued to knock them in, the Golden Bears were tied 73-73, 3:18 to go. Greene's layup gave them a two-point advantage, and the Gulls evened up the score in the final minute of regulation to take the ballgame into overtime 75-75.

In overtime, Mike Resnick gave the Golden Bears a great start with two huge threes after a minute had expired off the clock. They let the Gulls put one in on the other end of the court, and following two made foul shots by Geitner, they allowed nine straight points from the Gulls while not capitalizing on theirs. The Golden Bears did not stop the run and lost the Gulls 87-85.

On the Floor:

• As a team, the Golden Bears shot 52.4 percent from the floor, 39.1 percent from the three, and 66.7 percent from the foul line while gathering 37 rebounds, 16 assists, eight steals, and three blocks.
• The Gulls shot 45.6 percent from the hardwood, 45.2 percent from beyond the arc, and 68.8 percent from the free throw line while tallying 36 rebounds, 20 assists, 12 steals, and five blocks.
• The Golden Bears were led by Brian Geitner who had 22 points and two assists. He went 7-16 in field goals, 5-10 from the three, and 3-4 from the foul line.
• Jake Harrison contributed with 20 points and four assists, and Tim Restall pulled down 11 boards.

Up Next: The Golden Bears are on the road again this Thursday, February 9, for a non-conference game against the PRATT Institute Cannoneers for a 6 p.m. tipoff.