Nov. 25, 2008

Box Score

BOSTON, Mass. - The visiting Continentals of Hamilton College powered back from a one-point halftime deficit to defeat the host Emmanuel College Saints, 81-65, in a non-conference men's basketball game played at the Jean Yawkey Center on Tuesday night. Five players scored in double-figures for the Continentals, led by sophomore guard Lance Wilson's (Plymouth Meeting, Pa.) game-high 21 points. With the loss, Emmanuel fell to 1-2 on the season, while Hamilton improved to 3-0 overall.

The Saints jumped out to an early advantage and led by as many as 10 points, 26-16, midway through the opening stanza. The Continentals clawed their way back, but Emmanuel held the lead for the remainder of the first half and took a one-point edge into the break, 34-33.

Hamilton took over the lead with 18:33 to play in regulation on a fast-break dunk by Patrick Sullivan (Madison, N.J.), which put the Continentals on top, 36-34. After trailing by as many as seven early in the second half, Emmanuel's senior guard Rob Williams-Hinton (Oak Park, Mich.) connected on a lay-up that brought the Saints to within three points, 45-42, with 14:14 to go.

Emmanuel was forced to call its final timeout with 12:16 on the clock, after Sullivan drained a three-pointer, giving Hamilton a 13-point advantage. Sullivan's three-ball was part of a 19-0 Continental run, which put Hamilton up 61-42 with 9:03 to play. The Continentals posted their largest lead of the game with 4:30 remaining, when Max Shillalies (Massapequa, N.Y.) converted a three-point play to put Hamilton up by 22 points.

Wilson led all scorers with 21 points, to go along with his team-high 7 rebounds and game-high 7 assists. Rookie guard Ephraim McDowell (Boston, Mass.) provided a spark off the bench for Hamilton, contributing 13 points, including two 3-pointers. Sullivan hit for 12 points, while senior forward Harlee Wood (Clinton, Md.) hit 9 of 10 from the free throw line and scored 11 points in the win. Freshman guard Russ Rosenband (Riverside, Conn.) chipped in with 10 points for the Continentals.

Senior forward Mack Spellman (Clinton, N.Y.) recorded a double-double for Emmanuel. Spellman led the Saints with 20 points on six for ten shooting, while hauling in a game-high 11 boards. Williams-Hinton and sophomore forward Tyrone Buchanan (Detroit, Mich.) netted 10 points apiece in the effort.

Both teams will return to action after the holiday break. Emmanuel will host Bates College next Thursday night (12/4) at 7pm, while Hamilton will host Utica College on Tuesday night (12/2) in an 8pm tip.