Men’s Basketball Falls to Fisher in Bear Cave Classic

BRIDGEWATER, Mass. – Despite a late comeback effort, the Wentworth Institute of Technology men's basketball team fell to the Fisher Falcons in their first game of the Bear Cave Classic hosted by Bridgewater State on Friday night. Chase Mello led the way with 19 points while Hunter Larson grabbed nine rebounds to lead the Leopards and added 11 points. Andy Weeman and Dylan Olson hit double figures as well, scoring 15 and 10 points, respectively.

HOW IT HAPPENED:

• Fisher opened the game with a 13-4 run in the first three and a half minutes. Davis Lunn's layup and three got Wentworth back within four points before another three from Lunn made it 13-12. Donovan Holway got in on the action, hitting a jumper to give the Leopards the lead. The Falcons answered with a three-point play from Amari Jamison to give them a five-point lead. Mike Yentin knocked down a triple and was fouled, hitting the ensuing free throw to get the Leopards back within a point.
• The Falcons went on another run to restore their six-point lead before Wentworth answered and Larson's three made it a one-point once again. Out of the Fisher timeout, Patrick Daniels Jr. picked up a steal and then hit a jumper to stop the Leopards' momentum. Ezekiel Edwards' layup gave the Falcons a two possession lead with eight minutes to play in the half. Weeman and Mannke scored late to cut the lead down to one, but an immediate answer from the Falcons pushed the advantage back to three. Mello knocked down a three in the final minute as Fisher took a 45-39 lead into the half.
• The Falcons came out strong to open the second half, extending their lead to 10 points in the early stages of the half. Larson continued to hit shots for the Leopards, helping cut the lead down to four with 13 minutes to play in the game. Wentworth hit shots but struggled to keep the Falcons' offense off the board. At the midway mark of the second half, Larson's two free throws cut the deficit down to five points.
• Wentworth hung around all game and made a push late in the contest, looking for their first win of the season. The deficit was three with seven minutes to play, the game still within reach. Larson came up with another big shot with 3:50 to go, tying the game at 80 as the Leopards came roaring back into the game. The comeback fell short as the Falcons kept their noses in front and hit free throws down the stretch, securing the 93-85 win.

THE SERIES:

• Tonight was the 5th all-time meeting between the two teams.

NEXT UP:

• Wentworth will take on Bridgewater State in the second game of the Bear Cave Classic at Bridgewater State on Saturday.

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