BOSTON, Mass. – A strong second-half surge, paced by an overall run of 44-33, paced the Nichols Bison men's basketball team (19-3, 12-1 CCC) to their 13th straight win, coming by a 71-65 score over the Wentworth Institute of Technology (11-11, 6-7 CCC) on Tuesday evening.

HOW IT HAPPENED:

• Four points by graduate student Tavon Jones (Linden, N.J.) gave the Bison a 4-0 lead in the opening half before two layups by junior Tyler Stewart (East Taunton, Mass.) knotted the score at four aside. After the two teams traded scores, Nichols took a 13-9 lead on two baskets by senior Mykel Derring (Boston, Mass.). Wentworth rattled off six straight, including three apiece for sophomore Nathan Brinkman (Trumbull, Conn.) and freshman Jayden Williams (Dorchester, Mass.) to hold a 15-13 lead.
• A three-pointer by junior Nathaniel Smith (Beacon Falls, Conn.) later pushed Wentworth's lead to 22-17 before a three-pointer by junior Dominic Mello (Wareham, Mass.) later cut the Bison's deficit to 24-23. The two teams traded scores to end the first half, with two makes by junior Jack Connell (Walpole, Mass.) giving the hosts a 32-27 advantage at the break.
• Makes by Jones and Mello began the second half and cut the Bison's deficit to 32-31 before Stewart answered with a score of his own to mark a 34-31 game. Nichols rattled off six straight, including four from Jones, to take a 37-34 lead before a three by Brinkman knotted the game at 37 aside. The two sides traded scores until the Leopards scored six straight to hold a 45-39 lead.
• Two three-pointers by Derring cut the Bison's deficit to 47-45 before another three by Derring marked a 49-48 deficit. The two teams traded scores, with Wentworth holding a 53-52 edge, before Nichols went on a 9-2 run, including five points from Jones and another three from Derring, to take a 62-54 advantage.
• Five points by Stewart later cut the Leopards' deficit to 62-59 before the Bison ended the contest on a 9-6 run to hold the game's final score, 71-65. Stewart led all scorers with 25 points, adding on 14 rebounds, five assists, two steals, and three blocks, while Derring (22) and Jones (20) led the Bison.

SERIES NOTES:

• This evening marked the 48^th all-time meeting between the two teams.

NEXT UP:

• The Black & Gold visit Gordon on Saturday.
  
  

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