(Courtesy of Colby-Sawyer Sports Information)
NEW LONDON, N.H. – The Wentworth men's basketball team shot 53.8% from the floor in an impressive 84-67 road victory at Colby-Sawyer. The Leopards sealed a home playoff game – their first since 1999 – for next week's The Commonwealth Coast Conference tournament with a 9-3 conference record. The Chargers still have work to do to wrap up one of the final playoff spots as they sit at 6-6 in the TCCC standings. The win was the first for the Leopards in New London in their last 12 trips, dating back to the 1997 conference semifinals.
Wentworth (13-10) used its height advantage to control the painted area in the first half. The Leopards scored 22 of their 34 first half points in the post and were led by nine points from 6-foot-11 junior Sam Herrick (Duxbury, Mass.). The Chargers stayed within striking distance for the first 15 minutes as the lead exchanged hands four times. With five minutes to play in the first frame, Wentworth took control and finished on a 9-2 run to take a 34-25 lead into the locker room.
The second half was much of the same for Wentworth as they continued to dominate the post. Herrick scored 10 more points and finished with a game-high 19 to go along with 12 rebounds. Although the Chargers were able to make more field goals than the Leopards in the second 20 minutes, Colby-Sawyer was whistled for 18 fouls resulting in 26 free throw attempts. Wentworth knocked in 19 of those attempts to cruise to the 84-67 victory.
When the Leopards weren't scoring in the paint, sophomore Eric Prue (Auburn, Maine) did damage from beyond the arc. He connected on three of six attempts from outside and scored all of his career-high 16 points in the second half. Senior Matt Abbott (Falmouth, Mass.) added 14 points and six rebounds off the bench. Senior Shane West (Milford, N.H.) and freshman Corey Therriault (Lewiston, Maine) added 13 and 10 points, respectively.
The Chargers were led by sophomore Will Bardaglio (Wayne, Maine) who scored 17 points. Senior Jon Chaloux (Barre, Vt.) and sophomore James Tobin (Brookline, N.H.) added 10 points apiece. Chaloux moved into 10th on the all-time career rebounding list after grabbing five boards tonight.
The Chargers host the Golden Bears of Western New England College on Saturday in the regular season finale. Tip is scheduled for 1:00 pm with senior day festivities occurring prior to the start. Wentworth also celebrates senior day with a home contest against New England College at 3:00 pm.
