Nighthawks Fall To Blazers, 84-80

The Newbury College men’s basketball team fell to Elms College, 84-80, Saturday afternoon in NECC action.  Four Nighthawks tallied double-figures in scoring led by sophomore guard Tim Young (Brockton, MA/Brockton) with 19 points.  Sophomore forward Peterson Bernard (Boston, MA/Madison Park) registered a double-double with 15 points scored and 10 rebounds.

Cecil Avant’s (Southwest Ranches, FL/Cypress Bay) three 3-pointers early in the contest gave Elms a commanding lead for most of the first half.  The Nighthawks were chasing the Blazers by 15 points with 3 minutes remaining at the half.  The lead was shortened to 54-43 at the half through solid defense including eight steals.

During the second half, Elms increased their lead to 18, 69-51, with 13 minutes remaining.  Soon after, the Nighthawks performed a remarkable comeback.  Young led the effort draining four second half 3-pointers, including one with 11 minutes on the clock, putting Newbury within six points, 69-63.  A post-up jumper by Peterson, assisted by Rondell Best (Brockton, MA/Brockton), at 7:22 shortened the lead to 2 points, 71-69.  Best’s 3-pointer on the next possession gave Newbury the lead for the first time, 72-71, since the first minutes of the game.

The comeback was short-lived. The lead was regained by Elms with field goals in two consecutive possessions by Edgar Martinez (Springfield, MA/Central) with minutes remaining in the game.  Solid late-game free throws, 7-8 in the half and 20-22 in the game, sealed the victory for the Blazers.

Newbury College’s overall record falls to 3-11 and 2-3 in the NECC.  Elms College improves to 9-5 overall and 2-1 in conference play.   The Nighthawks return to action Thursday, Jan. 20^th when they host Lesley University at 8:00PM.  The Blazers return to the hard-court on Tuesday, Jan. 18 against Southern Vermont College. 

- Game photo by: Samantha Yanofsky