Mountaineers Fall To NECCs’ Perfect Hawks
Photo Courtesy: Bill DiLillo Photography
BENNINGTON, Vt. - The Southern Vermont College men's basketball team played host to New England Collegiate Conference opponent the Becker College Hawks falling behind early and succumbing to an 87-72 loss Saturday afternoon in the Field House. SVC junior guard Lance Spratling led all scorers with 35 points and pulled down 11 boards for a double-double. The Hawks were led by junior forwards Rajai Leggett and Matt Petrides who each posted 22 points in the victory.
The loss drops the Mountaineers to 5-14 (2-7 NECC), while Becker improves to 12-7 overall (8-0 NECC).
The Mountaineers came out ready to play as it remained within four points of Becker 22-18 with 6:55 remaining in the first. The Hawks turned up the heat and went scored 27 points in the final seven minutes of the half and at the break it was 49-33 in Becker's favor. Petrides drained five triples in the first half (15 points) for the Hawks, while Spratling led the half with 16 points going 9-14 from the charity stripe for SVC. Leggett also had a tremendous period with 15 points.
The Mountaineers could not chip away the Becker lead in the second half as the Hawks led by as much as 22 points. Spratling led the second half scorers as well with 19 points on 8-of-9 shooting.
Both teams took advantage of one another's turnovers finishing with 12 points apiece off of turnovers. The key for Becker was that it shot 53% from the three-point line and 46% from the field overall. The free throw shooting from both squads was less than perfect as the Mountaineers shot 60% (17-28) and the Hawks shot 55% (11-20).
Sophomore forward Ben Naaktgeboren had the games only other double-double with 10 points and 11 boards. He also only gave up one turnover had two monster blocks, and a steal. Sophomore forward Cam Herrington rounded out the Southern Vermont scoring with solid nine points and he also pulled down five rebounds.
Sophomore guard Terrance Favors had a stellar performance at the point with 19 points, four assists, and three steals. Becker's aggressive defense tallied a total of 12 steals as it continues its NECC winning streak with eight in a row.
The Mountaineers are back in action Tuesday, February 9th, when it heads to Daniel Webster for a 7:00 p.m. start.
