Men's Basketball Fends off Wheaton in Home Opener

BOSTON, Mass. – Sophomore Jack Connell (Walpole, Mass.) dropped a career-high 26 points and classmate Tyler Stewart (East Taunton, Mass.) came up with a steal as time wound down in the Wentworth Institute of Technology men's basketball team's 79-78 win over Wheaton in the Black and Gold's home opener Wednesday night.

RECORDS:

• Wentworth: 1-1
• Wheaton: 1-2

INSIDE THE BOX SCORE:

LEADING SCORERS:   Jack Connell, 26; Jack Schaake, 18; Tyler Stewart, 16
LEADING REBOUNDERS:  Schaake, 13; Stewart, 6; Sam Swift, 5
ASSIST LEADERS:   Swift, Connell, Stewart, 3

HOW IT HAPPENED:

• The Leopards came off to a hot start, a 7-2 run, with baskets coming from Stewart, Connell, and senior Jack Schaake (Hampton, N.H.). The Lyons fought back to tie the score at seven-all with a three-pointer coming from senior Marckenley Lima (Roslindale, Mass.). Holding a 15-14 lead, the Leopards battled back to an 18-15 lead, a lead the Lyons would tie shortly thereafter.
• Stewart scored seven of the Leopards next nine points, bringing the score to a 27-22 advantage in favor of the home team. Wheaton scored two before sophomore Niko Rosich (Chicago, Ill.) nailed a three-pointer to put Wentworth ahead 30-24. The Lyons responded with a three-pointer from senior Evan Cook (Dunstable, Mass.), putting the score at 30-27. The Leopards collected three key points from senior Connor Rubenskas (Bridgewater, Mass.) en route to holding a 37-31 lead at the half.
• Stewart, Schaake, and Connell started the scoring for the Leopards in the second half but the Lyons matched their energy, keeping the score at 43-36. The Lyons battled closely with the Leopards until Connell rattled off five of the Leopards next points, bringing the score to 50-45.
• Connell hit another three-pointer to extend the Leopards' lead to 59-52. Following, Connell made a free throw and sunk a layup while the Lyons stuck with the Black and Gold, pushing the score to 66-61. Senior Sam Swift (Arlington, Mass.) made a jumper that put the Leopards ahead 68-61. After the Leopards gained some separation from the opposition, Wheaton climbed back within two with 1:52 left in the game.
• Wentworth was able to build on their lead thanks to two points from Stewart and a three-pointer from Connell, putting the score at 79-74. After senior Alex Carlisle (Saint Johnsbury) hit one of two free throws to bring the score to 79-75, Lima hit a three-pointer to bring the Lyons within one with 17 seconds left. After a missed free throw, the Lyons pushed aggressively for a game-winning basket but Stewart knocked the ball away and Rubenskas picked up the ball as time expired to seal the win.
• In addition to Connell's 24 points, Schaake recorded a double-double with 18 points and 13 rebounds and Stewart finished the night with 16 points and six rebounds. Carlisle led all scorers with 35 points.

SERIES NOTES:

• Winners of the last three meetings, Wentworth leads the all-time series 3-1.

NEXT UP:

• The Leopards face Plymouth State at home on Saturday afternoon.

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