Men’s Basketball Drops 81-67 Decision to Gordon

QUINCY, Mass.- The Eastern Nazarene men's basketball team endured its first home loss of the season, falling to Gordon 81-67 in Commonwealth Coast Conference action Saturday afternoon at the Lahue Physical Education Center. The Lions slip to 6-3 overall and 1-2 in the league with the loss. The win lifts the Fighting Scots to 7-4 on the season and 2-2 in the conference.

Eastern Nazarene was led by Mike McCoy (Altamonte Springs, Fla.) and Justin Wagner (Oklahoma City, Okla.) with 13 points each. Eric Lynch (Alpharetta, Ga.) and Chima Ezeigbo (Roanoke, Va.) also scored in double-figures with 12 and 10 points, respectively. Ezeigbo also paced the Lions on the glass with eight boards on the afternoon. Jaylen Owens (Johns Creek, Ga.) registered a team-high four assists in the contest.

Gordon's David Dempsey led all players with 28 points. Freshman Hans Miersma recorded a double-double with 10 points and 14 rebounds.

The Fighting Scots raced out to an 8-2 edge in the opening 4:30. The Lions cut the deficit to two, 10-8, as Lynch banked in a lay-up with 11:55 left to go in the half.

The visitors sported a 34-19 advantage at the midway point of the game.

Lynch paced Eastern Nazarene at the break with six points off the bench. Dylan Saenz (Port Lavaca, Texas) and Ezeigbo each poured in four first-half points.

The Lions drained 25.7% of their field goals in the opening frame while sinking just 1-of-8 from three-point land. Gordon shot 50% from the floor in the half and 1-of-3 from long range.

Eastern Nazarene closed the gap to 12 points in the second half as Brian Hard made a lay-up with 18:46 remaining.

The Fighting Scots distanced themselves in the half and stretched the lead to 23 on a pair of made free throws by Dempsey with 7:51 on the clock.

McCoy tallied five-straight points for the Lions to pull the home side to within 12 heading into the final minute of action.

Eastern Nazarene finished the game with a field-goal percentage of 32.9% after shooting 38.6% in the second half. Gordon sank 50% of its field-goal attempts in the contest and connected on 22-of-30 from the free throw line.

The visitors also capped off the victory owning a 56-32 margin in rebounding.

The Lions will look to bounce back as they host Salve Regina January 8.